Draft Waterloo South People and Place Plan | For feedback until 31 May 2024
Forgot your password?
RWIU 7 Dec 2007
In this Update:
Seasons Greetings and our Christmas Break
RWA Built Environment Plan Update
RWA Special Arrangements for DA Notifications and Advertising over December 2007 & January 2008
Parliamentary Questions and Answers on Redfern Waterloo
Expressions of Interest for Leasing of historic Black Theatre Site
REDWatch Welcomes Redfern Waterloo Chamber of Commerce Statement on Public Housing
Friends of Eveleigh Campaign Update
Summer on the Green – Friday 7th December 2007
Darlington to Celebrate Howard End – Sunday 16th December 3pm
UTS Shopfront Projects – Semester One Project Applications Close January 31st 2008
December 2007 Edition of South Sydney Herald
UTS Precinct Paper available at Redfern Neighbourhood Centre
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)
Seasons Greetings and our Christmas Break
We would like to take this opportunity to wish all our readers and colleagues our best wishes for Christmas and New Year. We hope that you have a safe holiday season and that 2008 will be a great year for us all. This will be the last update for 2007 as we are taking a break from things Redfern and Waterloo until late January 2008. Thank you for your support, ideas, information and suggestions over the year and we hope that you have found some of the information we have supplied of use in keeping up to date with Redfern Waterloo Issues. To contact REDWatch during this time please email mail@redwatch.org.au and someone will get back to you.
RWA Built Environment Plan Update
On 6th December 2007 there was an RWA Built Environment Ministerial Advisory Group Meeting at which community representatives received an update on progress on the RWA Built Environment Plans. The brief notes below provide an update on where various parts of the BEP are up to:
1. Rachael Forster Sale – Tenders have closed and the RWA says there were a large number of bids with some prices indicating a significantly stronger market for development property in Redfern than a few years ago. The price received should more than cover the amount the RWA hoped to raise towards the minimum needed for the new Health Centre. The increased value is also attributed to the block being sold with a concept plan which shortens the time a developer needs to pay for finance.
2. The Community Health Centre (Former Courthouse / Police Station) Project Application - .The Project Application is with the Department of Planning (DoP) and some adjustments are being made to it. It should go on public exhibition as soon as the Project Application is acceptable to the DoP.
3. North Eveleigh Commercial and Residential Development Concept Plan – Bates Smart won the competitive design selection process for producing the North Eveleigh Concept Plan. The RWA expect the Preliminary Concept Plan to be lodged in the next week or so with the DoP. This will then be circulated to Council and other relevant government departments for the production by the DoP of the Director General’s Requirements (DGRs) for the sites Concept Plan. Based on the current DoP practice this document will probably not be added to the DoP Major Projects site until the DGRs are produced. The RWA hope to have the DGRs to be able to deposit the final Concept Plan in February 2008. The RWA say that the Concept Plan will retain all heritage buildings recognised on the SEPP Heritage Map although some will be adaptively reused. It is currently expected that the RWA will retain the Chief Mechanical Engineers building with the plan for it to be renovated and then kept in public use.
4. The Heritage Walk – putting a pedestrian and cycle bridge between Carriage Works and the ATP has proved unfeasible given the requirements involved in building a span of the length required across active railway lines. Instead the RWA is looking at the possibility that the bridge is constructed up near Redfern Station. This will mean a longer walk from ATP parking to Carriageworks than the initial proposal, but it will be shorter than the walk around via the station. The initially proposed bridge would have had to use lifts to move bicycles from ground level to the bridge given the difficulty of ramping to the height required and this should be avoided with an option closer to Redfern Station.
5. Blacksmith Shop Markets – the RWA has just approved the readvertised DA for the markets (see RWA Determinations ). Construction work will take about 20 weeks and they hope to be able to launch markets in spring 2008.
6. Australian Technology Park – Building has commenced on the Channel Seven building and Global Television has announced they will also move into the building (see below). The Defence Science and Technology building should be completed by the end of January 2008 and the roadwork around the site has been completed but not made operational until the HSC exam marking currently happening at the ATP is completed. There have been no further developments on the Large Erecting Workshop with the RWA still saying it will incorporate it with an adaptive reuse into the ATP if it is surplus to RailCorp requirements. By the end of 2009 the ATP expect that more people will working at the ATP than were employed at the Eveleigh rail yards at their height.
7. Redfern Railway Station – There is some further fine turning happening to the proposal. When this is done it is expected the design will be taken to state cabinet as part of a capital submission to try and secure funding for the station upgrade. The RWA say that it has had to develop detailed plans so it can go to cabinet to try and secure funding and hopefully a high priority for the project to be able to commence work as early as possible. The RWA say it wants to be sure it can deliver a station upgrade before making the proposal public. In the plan to be submitted there will also be a possibility for an adjacent commercial building.
8. Stage Two of the Built Environment Plan – The RWA and Department of Housing (DoH) are working on a “Social Housing Improvement Strategy” which will also provide opportunities for both affordable housing and an increase in the number of private residents in the area. In addition to the government guarantees in the Built Environment Plan Stage One the RWA is also saying that there is no intention to pull down the high rise blocks. Currently they are collecting data and assessing studies with a view to putting a proposal to NSW cabinet after which it would go on exhibition hopefully in March. The RWA says there will be plenty of opportunities for input at that stage. DoH is talking to the RWA about what it has learnt from the Minto and Bonnyrigg developments but what happens here will not be a straight lift of what has been done in other places because Redfern Waterloo is different. Angela Koutoulas RWA Community Relations Manager and earlier Human Services Consultant Linda Stephens continue to meet with Neighbourhood Advisory Board precinct reps and other key public tenants to discuss what people would like to see happen.
9. Commercial Climate – There is now much greater interest from developers wanting to undertake projects in Redfern Waterloo than was there at the beginning of the RWA.
More TV Jobs come to Redfern
On 3rd December 2007 the Minister for Redfern Waterloo Frank Sartor and the local Member Kristina Keneally turned the first sod on the Pacific Magazines / Channel 7 building (see the Minister’s media release Construction Starts on Landmark Redfern Project). Global Television used the occasion to announce that they would also be moving their operations into the new building (see their media release Global Television announces move to new TV complex at Australian Technology Park). Global Television is Australia’s largest independent facilitator of broadcast television with over 2,000 hours of television every year, across all genres including sport, concerts, awards, drama and reality TV. Some of the key productions include Australian Idol, Dancing with the Stars, Hi-5, Hi-5 USA, Playhouse Disney, The Biggest Loser Finale and the Big Night in with John Foreman.
RWA and ATP Annual Reports
It is annual report time again and the RWA and the ATP have now produced their Annual Reports. The RWA Annual report has been posted on its website but as yet the ATP report has only been seen in printed form. The reports can be downloaded from:
RWA - 06-07 Annual Report - Full Version (pdf ~2mb)
ATP - http://www.atp.com.au/dyncontent.cfm?MenuID=113 (when available)
The first thing that hit us this year is that the RWA has taken to illustrating their report with photos of RWA and City of Sydney Development Projects in Redfern Waterloo. This includes a number of sites that the RWA has not always been happy to be associated with. Along with the RWA associated site developments, the report welcomes the Elizabeth Street Housing Redevelopment, the redevelopment of the South Sydney Football Club, Redfern Oval, the Redfern / Regent Street Upgrade and the Black Theatre Site.
The RWA Annual report provides the only official list of non resident members of the Ministerial Advisory Committees. It also includes reporting on what the RWA has achieved during the year under review. We are sure the two page human services report will be of interest to many of our readers.
RWA Special Arrangements for DA Notifications and Advertising over December 2007 & January 2008
The RWA have advised on their website that letters notifying Neighbours of proposed development (including modification to existing approvals) will continue to be sent out during December 2007 and January 2008, however the period allowed for reply will be extended. The changes to the notification and advertising period for applications will be as follows: All Development / Section 96 Applications lodged between 10 December 2007 and 11 January 2008 will remain on notification / advertising until 8 February 2008. All other processes associated with the assessment of Development/Section 96 Applications will continue as usual.
Parliamentary Questions and Answers on Redfern Waterloo
We know many people found the answers to questions in the estimates hearing fascinating. Well these are a more considered set of responses to some of the same questions. A series of questions were asked by Ms Sylvia Hale in the Legislative Council during October 2007. On 27th November 2007 the Minister representing the Minister for Redfern Waterloo provided the written answers to the questions. Questions were asked about a range of RWA activities, including RWA Plans, the Human Services Plan, the Redfern Waterloo Street team, the Built Environment Plan and the RWA Business Advice Service. We have bought all the questions and answers together in one place for your convenience - Parliamentary Questions on Redfern Waterloo.
Included are the answers to the question Are there any plans to sell or lease land currently occupied by public housing to fund the redevelopment? Answer: Yes but No specific sites have been identified for redevelopment in relation to the Built Environment Plan Stage 2. Of interest to public tenants will be the information that: Public Housing tenants, who are relocated as a result of public housing redevelopment in Redfern and Waterloo, will retain the same type of tenure that they currently have.
Also in the answers is an official response on the expenditure of the balance of the Street Team money which was “reallocated to other important youth and community initiatives including: $750K capital funding for the Yaama Dhiyaan Indigenous Training College; $500K capital contribution for a new Police and Citizens Youth Club at the redeveloped former Redfern Public School; Funding for youth coordinator positions at Alexandria School and South Sydney Youth Service; Funding to assist the relocation of the Fact Tree youth service to a new drop-in centre at Waterloo Oval; Grants to local organisations.”
Inquiry into Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage (including in Redfern Waterloo) – Hearing Dates set – Submissions by 31st January 2008
The NSW Legislative Council inquiry into Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage has set hearing dates on its website for 12-14th February, 11-13th March and 29-30th April 2008 to hear from organisations and interested parties. The deadline for written submissions is now 31st January 2008. As we have previously pointed out this Inquiry allows issues relating to the NSW government intervention into Redfern Waterloo, including the RWA’s activities in relation to the Aboriginal community, to be considered by the committee - see explanation here.
Expressions of Interest for Leasing of historic Black Theatre Site
The Indigenous Land Corporation recently sought expressions of interest from Indigenous businesses and organisations for leasing opportunities in the future development at the historic Black Theatre Site, Redfern. The ILC has extended the period for interested parties to respond into the New Year. The ILC has a strong preference for organisations and businesses with an education, training and employment focus in the areas of retail/hospitality; arts/multi-media and cultural programs; and social programs. For further information checkout the information kit at the ILC website: www.ilc.gov.au
REDWatch Welcomes Redfern Waterloo Chamber of Commerce Statement on Public Housing
The December REDWatch meeting issued the following response welcoming the Chamber of Commerce’s Briefing Note to NSW Housing Minister of 20 Nov 2007 (PDF 32Kb). The REDWatch statement says:
- REDWatch welcomes the positive attitude displayed by the Redfern Waterloo Chamber of Commerce towards the Department of Housing tenants of the area, their customers.
- REDWatch hopes that the concern expressed for the welfare and wellbeing of the Department of Housing tenants of the area will continue to grow for the ultimate benefit of all.
- REDWatch regards the expressed attitude as a positive signal of the Redfern Waterloo Chamber of Commerce's desire for an improved standard of living for all residents of the area - both public and private.
- REDWatch looks forward to working in a collaborative manner with the Redfern Waterloo Chamber of Commerce to help them achieve this result.
Friends of Eveleigh Campaign Update
FOE has issued a FRIENDS OF EVELEIGH - UPDATE - DECEMBER, 2007. In their update FOE welcomes the appointment of Peter Garrett as the new Federal Minister for Heritage. They hope that, with Eveleigh on the National Trust’s 10 most at risk sites and with a Federal Heritage Application pending, that Mr Garrett will seriously consider support for preserving the Large. FOE also provided an update on the campaign to save the Large. In part the FOE update says:
“The Large Erecting Shop at Eveleigh has appeared on the National Trust of Australia’s, Top 10 Heritage at Risk list Nationwide and immediately the other NSW nomination, the Hammerhead Crane at Garden Island was granted funds by the Federal Government to start work on this project. This crane being owned by the Navy is a Federal Government responsibility.
The nationally recognised Large Erecting Shop at Eveleigh on the other hand is the NSW State Government’s responsibility but to date the Premier has failed to acknowledge or recognise the danger that this unique Heritage building faces. No comment from the Premier places him completely out of touch with the overwhelming response from the citizens of NSW from all walks of life; academics, conservators, professionals tradespeople, unions and residents of the local community, who all insist that the retention of the last remaining fully operational original heritage Railway Workshop in NSW is of vital importance - historically, socially and economically.
As a centrally located city workshop/museum/base for ALL Rail Heritage groups throughout NSW the Large Erecting Shop, Eveleigh would give ALL Rail Heritage groups an equal opportunity to experience working in this unique heritage environment whilst “BUILDING ON THE 120 YEARS OF CONTINUOUS RAILWAY OCCUPATION OF THE LARGE ERECTING SHOP, EVELEIGH”.
The Review into Tourism in NSW in July,2007, provided a timely opportunity for the Friends of Eveleigh to put forward ideas of what can be achieved within the Heritage Rail Network in NSW using the Large Erecting Shop, Eveleigh as a Sydney CBD base. The idea/concept certainly generated a large amount of positive feedback from Rail Heritage groups and members of the public throughout all of New South Wales.
We understand that the Minister for Transport and the Office of Rail Heritage are fully aware of the NSW’s Public’s strong sentiment and their requirement that the Large Erecting Shop, Eveleigh be retained by Railcorp as an active Rail Heritage Centre for ALL RAIL HERITAGE GROUPS, FOR ALL OF NEW SOUTH WALES. The Large Erecting Shop, Eveleigh in fact belongs to ALL THE PEOPLE OF NEW SOUTH WALES, the NSW State Government being the Custodian on Behalf of the People of NSW.”
Lucy Taksa lecture: ‘Buildings, machines and ghosts: finding cultural heritage and social value at the Eveleigh Railway Workshops’ - Thursday 13 December 2007
Associate Professor Taksa is a member of the School of Organisation and Management and Director of the Industrial Relations Research Centre at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). Her lecture will focus on the re-colonisation of this industrial landscape and its transformation into an outpost of the global village. Associate Professor Taksa is a leading expert on Industrial Heritage. The lecture will highlight her concern for the disappearing repository of human memories in Sydney.
The lecture is a follow on of the Trust's current poignant exhibition: trains, cranes & ships: Eveleigh Railway Workshop & The Hungry Mile by artist Jane Bennett who will also participate in the discussion. Venue: The National Trust Centre, Annie Wyatt Room, Watson Road, Observatory Hill on Thursday 13 December 2007 at 5-30 for 6-00pm. Refreshments will be available, Entry by donation RSVP: Mara Barnes, 02 9258 0161. You can also download the Invite (PDF 636KB).
Summer on the Green – Friday 7th December 2007
Just in case you see this in time a reminder that Summer on the Green is on Today. The latest details on the even can be found in this media release from the Factory - Summer on the Green: All the fun of the fair.
Darlington to Celebrate Howard End – Sunday 16th December 3pm
If you are still celebrating the election outcome you may be interested in bringing some food to share and joining a picnic celebration in the park at the corner of Abercrombie and Shepherd Streets to celebrate the end of the Howard Government. The star attraction promises to be a Howard Piñata. For more information contact Trevor Davies on (04) 0000-8338.
UTS Shopfront Projects – Semester One Project Applications Close January 31st 2008
If you have a project that you think might be suitable for collaboration with UTS Shopfront The deadline for first semester 2008 projects is January 31.Submit your community project online here. Further information on current and past projects can be found here.
December 2007 Edition of South Sydney Herald
The SSH December 2007 (4.2 MB PDF) is now out and again we have extracted some of the Redfern Waterloo articles that might be of interest. The SSH has two articles dealing with public housing including Urban renewal or social breakdown? and Housing Minister avoids questions as well as Housing not an election issue says inner-city Libs. There is also an article about the possible impact of the railway station redevelopment on Darlington shops in Shop owners sweat on Cabinet decision and a report on the SSCT transport AGM in South Sydney Community Transport remains.
Other articles include stories on 93.7 FM – a voice for Koori people, the Redfern rally that said “No to Northern Territory intervention!” and Students’ ideas for adaptive reuse of Gardener’s Lodge by the Aboriginal community. Postcode 2016 – a high-risk zone? examines banks not being prepared to send mail to PO Boxes in Redfern.
In politics there are reports on the election outcome Plibersek’s increased margin, responsibilities, a Profile of a first-time voter Alexander Turnbull (yes part of this Turnbull Family) and, looking forward to the council election Profile of an inner-city Liberal about Councillor Shane Mallard.
Other local stories include Local author wins ASA mentorship covers Elena Knox winning a prestigious mentorship, Tea-lights, sweets and frangipanis for Hindu festival cover recent Deepavali celebrations while Nathan Bridger’s funeral is covered in Redfern rapper’s life honoured.
Around our area Council commends car share schemes, The Bard brings new hope to Northcott, Locals oppose supermarket in Erskineville and Down and out in Newtown looks at housing and homelessness assistance programmes in Newtown.
Looking forward are reports on plans for a New Slavonic Festival - “A celebration of good life in Australia” and women’s football in Waterloo Storm warning: “We’ll be back again next year!”
UTS Precinct Paper available at Redfern Neighbourhood Centre
In the last RWIU we told you about some interesting articles in the latest issue of UTS School of Journalism’s Precinct South Sydney Edition. UTS tell us that if you would like a printed copy of this publication there are copies at the Redfern Community Centre on the Block.
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 -Balfour Street, Chippendale - Proposed Partial Road Closure for New Pocket Park. Until Wednesday 12 December.
- CoS - Proposed Car Share Trial - Until Thursday 13 December.
- CoS - Local Action Plan Matching Grants Program - expressions of interest close 14 December 2007
- CoS - Erskineville Supermarket DA - Until 17th December 2007
- CoS - Draft Local Approvals Policy for the Distribution of Handbills 2007 - Until Monday 24 December.
- CoS - Draft Inclusion Action Plan 2007-2011 - Until Friday 11 January 2008.
- NSW LC SCSI - Overcoming Indigenous disadvantage – Submissions close 31 January 2007
- OFT - Residential Tenancy Law Reform Consultation
- CoS - Chippendale, Camperdown, Darlington, West Redfern and North Newtown Urban Design Study – Draft recommendations and feedback form.
- CoS - Sustainable Sydney 2030 - What kind of city do you want Sydney to be in 2030?
- UWS - Backpacker Research – Online survey for residents and tourists.
TfNSW proposal to reverse Little Eveleigh Street - until Sept 10th 2023
