In this Update:

[Please use the list of articles at the top of the email to find what is of interest to you. We do not expect you to be interested in everything. Depending on your email programme and computer settings these headings may also give you a link to jump directly to the story of interest.]

RWA DA Proposal for Parking, Stalls and Performance Space at Blacksmiths’ Shop – until Wednesday 6^th June 2007

ILC National Indigenous Development Centre Concept Plan (MP 06_0267) on Exhibition until Friday 15^th June 2007

Local Action Plan Grants – Now you see them now you don’t – CoS Budget until 8^th June 2007

Minister Approves RWA Contribution Plan and Affordable Housing Contributions Plans

RWA Employs New Community Relations Manager

Yaama Dhinawan supports Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea – 11 am 24^th May 2007

Free Streetwise Publications until 25^th May

The 2007 Margaret Barry Memorial Lecture – 3.30 pm 30^th May 2007

National ReconciliACTION Youth Forum – UTS Saturday and Sunday 2-3 June 2007

Nominations for Redfern Volunteers for Community Participation Recognition - until 8^th June 2007

Lions Club Redfern Waterloo Charter Night - Friday June 22, 2007

UTS Shopfront Community Projects by 29^th June 2007

Waterloo Green Community Fete proposed for 11-2 Friday 6th July 2006

In the Media

Have your say – Summary of Current Consultations

Coming Events (look at the new local events entered on the REDWatch website that are not covered here)

RWA DA Proposal for Parking, Stalls and Performance Space at Blacksmiths’ Shop – until Wednesday 6^th June 2007

The RWA has applied to itself for the adaptive reuse of the Former Blacksmiths’ Shop at North Eveleigh which was built in 1907. The DA is on Exhibition on the RWA DA Exhibition website and at the City of Sydney One Stop Shop, 1 Lawson Square Redfern. The former Blacksmiths’ shop was covered as part of the earlier CarriageWorks DA. The RWA has now taken on this site and, while retaining the possibility that the site will be used for arts uses (including performances / exhibitions and films), it is also proposing the site be used for markets (109 stalls) and when not in use for either of these purposes that it operates as an automated parking station (51 vehicles). The hours of operation proposed for activities on the site will be until midnight Monday to Sunday similar to the Carriageworks and the café situated in the RWA’s training facility. The car park will be capable of operating 24 hours a day.

The RWA proposal includes the remediation of the contaminated Blacksmiths’ shop and soil capping. While the fabric of the Blacksmiths’ Workshop is proposed to be conserved and retained, the adaptive reuse will see the removal of 2 concrete cradles and the relocation of the 6 State Significant Blacksmiths’ furnaces to the eastern end of the building next to the pedestrian entrance. The report says this will “improve permeability within the building” and “improve visibility of these structures”. The three nationally significant pneumatic hammers will remain in situ with an amenities block and storeroom to be built behind them. The plans do not propose the raised performance space which was part of the earlier proposal nor a mezzanine. All activity will take place at ground level within the existing space and the area covered by the awning towards the CarriageWorks. The RWA proposal for remediation and movement of some heritage items will make the space opposite the CarriageWorks available for some immediate uses at a modest cost of under $3 million to the RWA. We will not be surprised if the RWA develop further plans for this site once it has more funds and the contamination and heritage issues have been addressed as part of this DA.

Included in the documents on the RWA website is the Statement of Environmental Effects (PDF 1.94 MB) without the Appendices which outlines what is proposed. The architectural plans are separate in Att A: Plans and Elevations (PDF 11.4 MB). Att B: BCA Assessment (PDF 136 KB)  looks at how the Building Code of Australia applies to the project; the heritage issues are dealt with in Att C: Heritage Impact Statement (PDF 827 KB); the impacts of traffic and pedestrian traffic are dealt with in Att D: Traffic and Pedestrian Study (PDF 1.46 MB) and its floor plan Appendix (PDF 1.88 MB). The pre-existing approved plans that cover the Blacksmiths’ shop are covered in Att E: Blacksmiths’ Workshop approved plans (PDF 1.32 MB) and the Att F: Pedestrian Entry Plans (PDF 3.18 MB). The Att G: Site Audit Report (PDF 3.71 MB) is the December 2004 report to Rail Estate on the Arts Precinct at North Eveleigh by HLA-Envirosciences. The Att H: Environmental Site Management Plan (PDF 6.73 MB) is the August 2004 Management Plan prepared by SMEC for Rail Estate for the Arts Precinct and includes details of contamination issues and how they should be managed. The Att I: Soil Remediation Specifications (PDF 539 KB) were prepared by SMEC in April 2006 for the RWA to establish Soil Capping Technical Specifications for the site. The proposal in on exhibition until Wednesday 6^th June 2007 and those with concerns are encouraged to put their concerns in writing to the RWA by this date.

Unlike DAs appearing on the City of Sydney website the RWA has not been posting the DA forms which make it clear who is the applicant (in this case the RWA) and what is the value of the development (in this case $2,995,533). We have taken this up with the RWA and we are advised that the DA forms will in future be posted with the Statement of Environmental Effects. The RWA’s application to itself for approval for the Blacksmiths’ shop should be posted on the RWA website early next week.

According to the documents already posted, the RWA is seeking to have the area between the CarriageWorks and the Blacksmiths’ shop changed from a pedestrian precinct to a pedestrian / vehicle shared zone. The RWA has also lodged a Preliminary Environmental Assessment with the Department of Planning to get planning parameters for the pedestrian bridge to link the Blacksmiths’ shop and CarriageWorks to the ATP. Like the Preliminary Environmental Assessment for the former Rachel Foster hospital site the Preliminary Environmental Assessment for the bridge has not yet been listed on the Department of planning website. The RWA has also posted the approval for the CarriageWorks signage strategy DA 017-12-06 (PDF 390KB).

ILC National Indigenous Development Centre Concept Plan (MP 06_0267) on Exhibition until Friday 15^th June 2007

The Indigenous Land Corporation’s Major Project Application for the former Redfern School at 160-202 George Street, Redfern has gone on exhibition through the Department of Planning. The ILC plans seem to be in line with what has already been shown to the community at the open day and the PCYC is still envisaged as being involved on the site. The section below describes the proposed project from the application [we have added in square brackets some identifying details so locals will be able to identify the buildings by the community organisations which previously operated from the old school buildings]:

“The National Indigenous Development Centre will be a place for Indigenous children from around Australia to participate in structured activities with a particular focus on sports related activities. They will attend the centre for a period of a few weeks at a time, during which time they will live and eat at the centre. The site will continue to house the Murawina Aboriginal Childcare Centre which will be relocated to a new building at the northern end of the site. A new PCYC building will also provide sporting and social activities for the local community.

In general, the project consists of the following:

• Building A [old Murrawina building] – Repair and refurbishment of existing building to provide for offices associated with the primary sporting and educational uses on the site, including the classrooms for the Exodus Foundation and National Aboriginal Sports Corporation Australia (NASCA).
• Building B [Art Express & Aboriginal Education Council] – Repair and refurbishment of existing building to accommodate the central administration, dining and function facilities for the hostel (proposed for Buildings C & D).
• Building C [South Sydney Community Aid & Aboriginal Resource Centre] and Building D [Gamarada Aboriginal supported Montessori Playgroup, Redfern Computer Centre & the Benevolent Society] - Repair and refurbishment to provide for the dormitory accommodating approximately 90 children and 40 adults, and associated ablution facilities.
• Building F – Construction of a new three level multi-purpose sports facility, comprising indoor sports halls and activity rooms, a heated 25m pool and associated change and storage areas.
• Building G – A new child care centre, comprising a single storey east wing and two level west wing. The child care centre will comprise a new pre school and long day care centre and has been designed with the capacity to be licensed for 59 children.
• Training Field – Excavation and remediation of the existing informal playing fields on the western portion of the site to create a new training field suitable for medium level competition in all football codes.
• Renwick Street Closure – Closure of that section of Renwick Street which is located within the site and not currently open to traffic. This section of the street will be landscaped as the Western Terrace, and built over above ground for the cantilevered balcony/lounge areas for the dormitories in Buildings C and D.
• Landscaping – Extensive hard and soft landscaping is proposed across the site. The landscaping has been designed to accommodate extensive outdoor activities as well as provide an attractive setting for the facility.
• Demolition – Two WC blocks are proposed to be demolished, one adjacent to Building C and the other known as Building E which is located adjacent to Building D.”

The  Environmental Assessment - main report (PDF 2.2 MB) is currently available on the website but there have been some technical difficulties in getting the appendices up on the Department of planning website but they should all be on the Major projects part 3A – on exhibition site within the next few days. The plans can also be inspected at the Department of Planning, Information Centre, 23-33 Bridge Street, Sydney (9 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday), the City of Sydney Council, Level 2, Town Hall House, 56 Kent Street, Sydney (8 am to 6pm Monday to Friday) and at the Redfern Neighbourhood Service Centre, Ground Floor, Tower 2, 1 Lawson Square, Redfern (9 am to 5pm, Monday to Friday & 9 am to 12 pm Saturdays). Inquiries concerning the exhibition should be addressed to Mathieu Proctor at the Department of Planning on (02) 9228 6343. Submissions regarding the Plans must be sent to Director, Urban Assessments, Department of Planning, GPO Box 39, Sydney NSW 2001 prior to 15^th June 2007. Copies of some of the earlier statements about the project can be accessed on either the ILC Website on NIDC or at www.redwatch.org.au/RWA/statesignificant/redfernps/060711ilc/.

Local Action Plan Grants – Now you see them now you don’t – CoS Budget until 8^th June 2007

The City of Sydney has been going through a process over the last 12 months of preparing Local Action Plans (LAP). In February 2007 council unanimously passed a resolution to “endorse the concept of a Local Action Grants Program and approve the direction for the development of the program.” In recommending the LAP grants program, the Cultural and Community Services Committee paper dated 12th February, stated ”The program responds directly to issues identified in the Local Action Plans and will be part of a broader package of initiatives to be developed as response to these Plans.”  This officer’s report stated that the parameters of the program will be developed and that this will occur from July 2007. The paper also stated that the program will be included in the 2007/2008 budget and that the budget allocated would be $500,000; that this amount would include $50,000 for each of the eight Local Action Plan Zones and $100,000 for administration and management costs.

The envisaged grant program:

• Enables the community to actively identify projects they want to be involved in and implement – thus allowing the community to determine some priorities;
• Encourages community groups initiating projects to reach out into their communities and involve new people and a wider group of people;
• Builds social capital in that it encourages people in communities to get to know each other and work together;
• Enables a wider group of people to gain new experiences and skills – building community capacity;
• Encourages some existing community groups to change the way they relate to the city.  They will be able to work more cooperatively to initiate and implement projects; there will be greater commitment to working with the City to achieve practical outcomes;
• Gives people a direct stake in specific projects, thus encouraging them to look after and maintain these project;
• Will provide residents who don’t want to join community groups with the opportunity to get involved in a specific project - and they can withdraw when the project is completed.

The program was modelled on an extremely successful program which operates in Seattle, USA, which involved tens of thousands of people who have participated in 2,500 community projects.  Last year, Jim Dears, the Director of this program in Seattle, spoke with residents, council staff and Councillors. The Seattle program has seen community members invest more than $30 million worth of their own time, skills, materials and cash in these projects. These community members matched the city’s contribution by a factor of 1.5 to one. Jim Dears was supposed to return this year to help get a similar programme started in Sydney.

The City of Sydney Draft Corporate Plan 2008-2011 is currently on exhibition and Local Action Plan Grants are no longer in 2007/2008 budget! They have been deferred for consideration in future budgets - very much at odds with previous decisions. It seems there may be a view that the City already has sufficient grants programs and doesn’t need another. There is considerable concern about the proposed programme being cut. CoS Councillor Marcelle Hoff, is very unhappy about the omission of the proposed LAP grants programme and is proposing the following work around in the budget:

“The 2007-2008 Capital Works budget (Corporate Plan p62) states that the budget includes an allocation of $2.115 million for Local Action Plans in general. Local Action Plans were developed with strong community involvement. The obvious next step is to ensure that the community is actively involved in implementing these plans. This can be achieved through a LAPs grants program consistent with the concept which was outlined in the February officer’s report. Thus a proportion of the budget allocation for LAPs – say $250,000 - should be used to implement a pilot LAP grants program as an integral part of LAP implementation. The reduced amount will mean fewer projects will be selected across the City. The allocation for the LAP grants program needs to include the allocation of sufficient resources to develop and promote the program, consistent with the concept outlined in the officers’ report in February. As proposed in the officers’ report in February, active involvement of Jim Diers is vital.”

We attended the Jim Dears seminar last year and we support a move in this direction in the City of Sydney. If you also believe this is a good direction for the City of Sydney to move you might consider making a submission on the Draft Corporate Plan by 8th June 2007, let others know about this and also let your local councillors know that you would like to see a Local Action Plan grants programme included in the budget.

Minister Approves RWA Contribution Plan and Affordable Housing Contributions Plans

The RWA Contributions Plan 2006 and the RWA Affordable Housing Contributions Plan 2006 were adopted by the Minister for Redfern-Waterloo on 2 and 3 May 2007 respectively and came into effect on 16 May 2007. These plans were re-exhibited due to some problems with the initial exhibition. Community organisations like REDWatch made submissions about the shortcomings of the initial plans but the changes proposed were not taken up by the Minister in the re-exhibition.

The finalised Contributions Plans enable the Minister for Planning to impose, as a condition of the consent to development, the payment of a development levy and an affordable housing contribution, for the provision of public facilities and amenities within the RWA’s Operational Area as well as for the provision or refurbishment of affordable housing. The Plans apply to development on land within the RWA’s Operational Area for which the Minister for Planning is the consent authority under Part 3A and Part 4 of the EP&A Act. The Plans have been prepared in accordance with Section 30, 31 and 32 of the Redfern Waterloo Authority Act 2004, the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulations 2000.

RWA Contributions Plan 2006 (pdf ~267kb)

• identifies the percentage of the development levy, what development it applies to and how the amount is payable
• details the expected development and demand for public facilities in the Operational Area
• identifies the public facilities and amenities to be funded from contributions collected from the Plan

RWA Affordable Housing Contributions Plan 2006 (pdf ~ 341kb)

• identifies the affordable housing contribution rate to apply, what development it applies to, how the amount of affordable housing contributions is determined and how the amount is payable
• details the relationship between the expected development in the RWA’s Operational Area and the need for affordable housing
• details the works schedule

RWA Employs New Community Relations Manager

The RWA website contact page has been changed in the last few days to advise that Angela Koutoulas is the Community Relations Manager and she can be contacted on angela.koutoulas@rwa.nsw.gov.au. Angela replaces Nette Griggs who moved into consulting late last year.

Yaama Dhinawan supports Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea – 11 am 24^th May 2007

Come to Yaama Dhinawan at 255 Wilson Street Chippendale on Thursday 24^th May 2007 and be part of Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea. All profits go towards the cost of funding ground-breaking research into the causes of cancer and into new and improved treatments. Significant advances have been achieved through research; the cancer mortality rate in Australia has decreased by 17% over 10 years, and is at its lowest level since the 1970s. For more information and bookings contact Yaama Dhinawan on 8399 0924. All cakes will be on menu on the day $ 2.00, Plain scones $ 1.00, Wattle seed scones $ 1.00 & Biscuits $ 1.00 with Cappuccino $ 3.00; Mocha $ 3.50; Long black $ 2.50 and Tea $ 2.00.

Free Streetwise Publications until 25^th May

Streetwise Communications www.streetwize.com.au has been part of Redfern since 1984. It is winding down its current operations and closing the office in Redfern at Suite 6, 245 Chalmers St. From Wednesday 16th until Friday 25th May any publications they have left will be available totally free for local groups that can come collect them from the office (they won’t be able to post anything out). Give them a ring first on (02) 9319 0220 to check if they are open and if what you want is available.

The 2007 Margaret Barry Memorial Lecture – 3.30 pm 30^th May 2007

The Marg Barry Memorial Lecturer this year is Rev John McIntyre. John is the Anglican Bishop of Gippsland who is finding growing recognition as a thinker and speaker on social justice, underpinned by his strong faith. His connection to Inner Sydney is through his previous role as the Anglican Minister of St Saviours Church in Redfern, where he spent fifteen years working amongst the people of Inner Sydney. He is especially known for his strong commitment to the Aboriginal Community. Following John’s address everyone is welcome to stay for drinks, finger food and lots of talk. This event is free but contributions for expenses will be happily accepted. The lecture will again be held at Redfern Town Hall, 73 Pitt Street Redfern. RSVP by Friday 25th May to The Inner Sydney Regional Council for Social Development 9698 7690 innerv@iinet.net.au.

National ReconciliACTION Youth Forum – UTS Saturday and Sunday 2-3 June 2007

During Reconciliation Week 2007 ReconciliACTION will be holding a National Youth Forum and Arts Showcase at the University of Technology, Sydney. The event will bring together Indigenous and non-Indigenous young people from across Australia to participate in discussions about reconciliation, to learn about Indigenous cultures, to develop their skills and to be entertained! The Forum is part of a program of events being organised across the country to mark the 40th anniversary of the 1967 Referendum.

The Forum will be held at the University of Technology, Building 6 (Design, Architecture and REGISTRATION Building Faculty) Harris Street (5 minutes from Central Station, off Broadway). Cost $10 for waged ($5 for students and those on low income). Lunch included. To register, or for more information, please contact Forum Co-ordinator Sylvie Ellsmore on 0403 977 213 or email sylvie@reconciliaction.org.au .More information on ReconciliACTION can be found at www.reconciliaction.org.au.

Nominations for Redfern Volunteers for Community Participation Recognition - until 8^th June 2007

Volunteers make a tremendous difference to our community. They offer and bring not only their time, but also their energy, skills, individual perspectives and talents, thereby enhancing our communities, local services and people’s lives. The Redfern Neighbourhood Advisory Board is hosting a Community Participation Recognition Ceremony recognising and celebrating Redfern volunteers’ participation and contributions. This is being sponsored and supported by The City of Sydney, HCAP- Factory Community Centre and UNSW CDP project. The Awards Ceremony is reliant upon people making nominations – For more information see the media release Redfern NAB Volunteer Awards scheme, for a nomination form contact Mike the HCAP worker at The Factory Community Centre, 67 Raglan Street, Waterloo NSW 2017 ph:9698 9569. Nominations must be received by the 8th of June 2007.

Lions Club Redfern Waterloo Charter Night - Friday June 22, 2007

The Charter night for the Lions Club Redfern Waterloo will be held at 7.30pm on Friday June 22, 2007 at the Masonic Club – Castlereagh Inn, 169 Castlereagh Street, Sydney at a cost of $40. If you would like more information about the Lions Club Redfern Waterloo or about attending the Charter night please contact the President Norma Ingram on 0404 094 249.

UTS Shopfront Community Projects by 29^th June 2007

If you have a community project that you would like some assistance with visit the UTS Shopfront for information on their community projects scheme. Submissions for new projects for semester two 2007 close June 29^th 2007. For more information visit http://www.shopfront.uts.edu.au/index.html .

Waterloo Green Community Fete proposed for 11-2 Friday 6th July 2006

A Waterloo Green Community Fete is being planned for Friday 6th July 2006, between 11 and 2 within the Green area beside the Marton gardens. On-site work for the Marton Garden Mosaic Project will be starting. The mosaic project is being supported by many agencies under the Time 2 Act Banner and sponsored by the City of Sydney. The Community Fete event is being sponsored by the Waterloo NAB. The event will launch the final stage of the Mosaic Project and help the community to come together and celebrate. They hope to have fete activities such as light music, a bouncing castle, BBQ, information stalls, face painting, sports activities etc. It is anticipated that over 200 residents will take part over the course of the day; this estimate is based on previous events in the area. The event will provide an opportunity for agencies to talk to local people and promote your services and/or group.  If you would like to participate in the event or if you can help with a donation, either monetary or in kind, please contact Michael at The Factory on 9698 9569.

In the Media

We usually only look at the print media but we thought this update we would also point to some electronic items that people might not have seen. This link from new.com covers video of the Coloured Diggers Anzac March. The ABC did a couple of video stories for their Block edging closer to rebirth story including the video Take a tour of the Block and get a closer look at the Pemulwuy project [Real Broadband] [Real Dialup] [Win Broadband] [Win Dialup]. And the video Col James talks about his creation, the cleaning room, designed for Aboriginal residents living on the Block [Real Broadband] [Real Dialup] [Win Broadband] [Win Dialup]. With Australia’s most memorable speech having been in Redfern we thought you might also like this link to  Paul Keating’s Redfern Speech on You Tube.

World renowned Danish public space expert, Jan Gehl, is in Sydney working for the City of Sydney on an extensive study to help shape and increase the use of public space in Sydney and we thought it might also be of interest to some to provide the link to the City of Sydney pod casts http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/podcasts/ which includes Professor Gehl’s recent talk on “Public spaces – public life in the 21st century”.

Have your say – Summary of Current Consultations

Below we have listed consultations currently open for community input and provided a link for further information: 

• CoS - Inner West Community Forum – Tuesday 29 May Suburbs include: Newtown, Camperdown, Chippendale, Darlington, Erskineville, Eveleigh, Golden Grove and Macdonaldtown. Venue: Erskineville Town Hall, 104 Erskineville Road, Erskineville - Inner West Forum Flyer | PDF 223Kb
• CoS Activities on footpaths, new policies and procedures - Until Tuesday 5 June 2007.
• RWA - Blacksmith Shop DA Wilson Street Darlington - Wednesday 6 June 2007
• CoS - Draft Corporate Plan & Draft Fees & Charges – Until Friday 8 June.
• DoP - National Indigenous Development Centre (Former Redfern School) - Friday 15 June 2007
• UWS - Backpacker Research Online survey for residents and tourists.
• Inner South Community Forum - Suburbs include: Eveleigh, Redfern and Waterloo - Wednesday 25 July