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RWIU 25 June 2008
In this Update:
ILC National Indigenous Development Centre Consultation – Thursday 26th June 2008 3.00-6.30pm
REDWatch – This Month’s Meeting Tuesday 1st July 2008 6pm
Inner South Community Forum (Redfern, Waterloo & Eveleigh) - Wednesday 2nd July 6.00pm to 8.30pm
RWA North Eveleigh Concept Plan Feedback
Sydney University’s Campus 2020 Masterplan Revealed
Darlington – Chippendale Urban Design Study – University Confusion
Redfern Community Health Centre Relocation Details
RWA / ATP Address Noise Issues
RWA Seeks to Close ATP Blacksmith’s Shop – Open Day 17th August 10am – 2pm
Large Erecting Shop on Federal Heritage Radar
Waterloo Green Landscape Consultation - Wednesday 9 July 2008
Waterloo Green Action Plan Implementation
South Sydney Interagency looks at area’s forward budget needs
Making Connections - Changes and Events by 4th July 2008
CoS Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Panel – Nominations Close Friday 1st August 2008
CoS Plans for Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Eora Journey 2030 Proposal
NAIDOC Week 6 July 2008 – 13 July 2008
Redfern Residents for Reconciliation Gathering Ground Photos
Concrete Culture - Ivan Dougherty Gallery until 5th July 2008
Lights Camera Action - Information and registration Days 16th – 18th July 2008
Underbelly Public Arts Lab + Festival looking for Support
Redfern and Regent Streets Retail Strip Sub-Committee tackles shutters
Business Awards Nominations Open
Live Green Stalls Available – Sunday 17th August
Developer Appeals Erskineville Supermarket decision
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)
ILC National Indigenous Development Centre Consultation – Thursday 26th June 2008 3.00-6.30pm
The ILC advise that construction will soon begin for the National Indigenous Development Centre at the former Redfern School site. The Indigenous Land Corporation is holding an ‘Open House’ to provide information to the local community and other interested stakeholders. The community is invited to drop in to: review the final plans for the Centre; find out about the construction timetable; find out about how construction impacts are to be mitigated; learn about the activities and facilities to be provided at the Centre; make comments, ask questions, provide information. Here is the chance to find out first hand what is planned and who will be involved.
The ILC is particularly interested to hear from the local community on the following three questions:
1. Which local groups might want to access the Centre from time to time, or lease space?
2. Which activities would you like to see the Centre offering to the local community?
3. What are the significant stories from the site and the local community that may be reflected in artworks, landscaping, or in other ways?
The open day will be held on Thursday June 26. Drop in any time between 3:00 pm and 6:30 pm at the site of the old Redfern Public School, George Street, Redfern. Entrance off George Street. The open house is an informal event designed to provide information. You can stay for as long as you want and bring a friend or neighbour too. If you have any questions about the event please contact Stuart Waters at Twyford Consulting, PO Box 6004, Wollongong NSW 2500 Phone: 1800 11 00 55 or email Twyford@twyford.com.au
REDWatch – This Month’s Meeting Tuesday 1st July 2008 6pm
Council has rearranged its Redfern Community Forum to the night that REDWatch normally meets, so the REDWatch meeting will be bought forward to Tuesday 1st July at The Factory. The July meeting will follow up on the North Eveleigh Concept Plan by looking at the University’s plans for the area. REDWatch meets between 6pm and 8pm at The Factory Community Centre, 67 Raglan St Waterloo 2017.
Inner South Community Forum (Redfern, Waterloo & Eveleigh) - Wednesday 2nd July 6.00pm to 8.30pm
The CoS has changed the date from the Inner South Community Forum and it is now on 2nd July. The Green Square Forum has been moved to 29 July 2008. As with previous Community Forums there will be a time from 6pm until 6.45 to raise your own issues with Council officers and councillors. This will be followed by updates on Local Action Plan, Redfern Street public art project, Redfern Park and Oval, public domain and landscaping works, the City Plan, Sustainable Sydney 2030 and local development applications. The forum will be held at Redfern Town Hall, 71 Pitt Street, Redfern on Wednesday 2 July 6.00pm to 8.30pm. As a result of the change of date for the forum the REDWatch meeting scheduled for this night has been moved to Tuesday 1st July at The Factory.
RWA North Eveleigh Concept Plan Feedback
In the last RWIU we advised that the RWA had proposed during the exhibition, at a meeting with some residents and the traffic consultants, to produce Questions & Answers (Q&As) to clarify aspects of the Concept Plan’s Traffic Impact Statement (TIS). Regrettably the RWA did not deliver the Q&As they proposed. At the same meeting the RWA agreed to release the traffic study produced during the Built Environment Plan Stage 1 consultation. The RWA BEP 1 Traffic Study was released during the consultation period as promised. The BEP1 study had much more detail in it than the Concept Plan TIS, but was not directly comparable with it due to differences in the areas covered by the two studies, the traffic model and level of traffic generation used. The earlier study did however provide the level of detail we thought should have been in the TIS such as base traffic counts, development impact figures and the expected counts after the developments at major intersections. It also included road assignment assumptions and other intersection information including expected queue lengths. We and others requested the RWA release this kind of detail for the consultation but this was never done. While the TIS consultants were helpful in our discussions with them, this did not compensate for the lack of information needed to be able to make a considered assessment of the TIS. REDWatch produced a submission REDWatch North Eveleigh Concept Plan Submission - Traffic which specifically concentrated on the traffic issues and its concerns.
Parsons Brinckerhoff, who produced the RWA TIS, are also doing the traffic modelling for Sydney University. Hopefully the University will ensure the TIS for their Abercrombie St Concept Plan and 2020 Masterplan contains all the information necessary for the community to make a considered assessment of their proposals.
We have received copies of a number of people’s submissions on the RWA’s North Eveleigh Concept Plan and where people / organisations gave permission we have placed them on the REDWatch web site at North Eveleigh Major Project Application by RWA 2008. If we receive more submissions we will also add these so residents (and possible purchasers of the site e.g. the University) can get a feel for the community’s concerns. Among those that should be read are the City Of Sydney Submission on North Eveleigh (Scan & OCR Overlay 1 MB PDF) and City Of Sydney Submission on North Eveleigh - Attachment (Scan & OCR Overlay 3 MB PDF). NCOSS Submission on North Eveleigh (73 KB PDF) covered affordable housing, BikeSydney Submission regarding The North Eveleigh Concept Plan covered cycle issues and the excellent Don’t Throw the Baby Out with the Bathwater! - Submission on Heritage concerns by Brian Dunnett (761Kb PDF). In addition to REDWatch’s North Eveleigh Concept Plan Submission - General we received a Submission on North Eveleigh from Bruce Lay and the Friends of Eveleigh Submission on North Eveleigh Concept Plan and earlier a National Trust of Australia (NSW) Statement on North Eveleigh..
The next stage of the process is that the Department of Planning now provides the RWA with details of the issues raised in submissions and requests the RWA to address issues of substance raised. The Department then assesses the responses and, following further discussion with the proponent, will arrive at the determination of an approved Concept Plan that the RWA will then use to sell the site. While the formal exhibition phase has ended those with concerns can still raise them with the RWA and the Department of Planning. You can also raise your concerns with the media and members of Parliament as some are already doing (see for example Legislative Council adjournment debate North Eveleigh Concept Plan). With the Sydney University’s consultation coming in July people might also like to consider what questions to ask the University and what they might want to say about its Campus 2020 Masterplan proposal for the site.
Sydney University’s Campus 2020 Masterplan Revealed
The RWA’s Concept Plan made it clear that university use was acceptable for both the residential and commercial components of the North Eveleigh site. The North Eveleigh Traffic Impact Statement made reference to the University’s Masterplan’s proposal to close Butlin Ave but at that time no one had seen the University’s Masterplan. While the University has not yet activated their pages on the 2020 Masterplan the 10 MB PDF document itself can be downloaded from www.usyd.edu.au/ab/about/docs/Campus_2020_Masterplan.pdf . The plan has been the subject of a number of media articles including the Australian Financial Review’s CBD campuses set for major expansion, the Central’s Uni Growth Fears and the Sydney Morning Herald’s School's out - to take over half the city. The Campus 2020 Masterplan confirms the University’s interest in North Eveleigh, in closing Butlin Ave and in rebuilding the Darlington Campus. The extracts below from the Australian Financial Review article give an idea of what the Masterplan involves:
Australia's oldest university will undergo nearly $2 billion worth of expansion and rejuvenation works over the next decade as it outgrows its home on the outskirts of Sydney's central business district. A draft blueprint outlining the University of Sydney's first wholesale capital development program for almost 100 years is about to be circulated among students and staff.
The draft Campus 2020 Masterplan - a copy of which was obtained by The Australian Financial Review - envisages a new style of campus divided into disciplinary-based precincts, proposes the demolition and rebuilding of the entire Darlington site, and names nearby North Eveleigh and Harold Park as potential acquisition and development sites. …
"We're trying to achieve almost the impossible: enhance green space and get more floor space," the chief operating officer and deputy vice-chancellor at the University of Sydney, Bob Kotic, said. …
Sydney's draft masterplan, approved by the university senate earlier this month, sets out measures aimed at adding 250,000 square metres of useable floor space to accommodate a full-time equivalent student body expected to reach 40,000 by 2010. The university's capital budget for 2008 to 2010 totals $882 million, which includes $311 million for Campus 2020, $88 million to finish off works under its predecessor, Campus 2010, $151 million for property acquisitions, and $224 million for other maintenance and capital works. Work under Campus 2010 has included a new law school, information and technology building and student services centre.
Mr Kotic said the university needed nearly double the amount of useable floor space it had at the moment, which meant buying new property and making better use of existing land. It was only because Sydney had a healthy surplus that such large-scale plans could be undertaken, Mr Kotic added. The expectation was to reinvest $150 million to $170 million a year in infrastructure over the next decade or more. "If we have a really dream run on the revenue front and nothing dastardly happens, we could comfortably reinvest about $1.7 billion over the decade and that's quite a substantial rejuvenation program," he said. …
"I envy universities like McGill [University] in Montreal and Toronto where they are integral to the city, and I think UTS and ourselves have a wonderful opportunity to be a very important and stimulating part of our city," Mr Kotic said.
Consultation for the Campus 2020 Masterplan will continue throughout the year before a final version is approved by senate.
A number of the maps in the Masterplan include North Eveleigh as part of the 2020 University Campus, but to do this they first have to purchase the site when the RWA take it to market later this year. Whether the University would work with the RWA’s Concept Plan or want to change it is yet to be seen. Those concerned about the railway heritage will be dismayed to see that while the Masterplan acknowledges the heritage buildings on the North Eveleigh site some of them are missing from the Uni’s Masterplan proposal for North Eveleigh. While local residents will be pleased that the University plans include the open space missing in the RWA’s plans, there will be concern that the heritage Paintshop has been removed to provide a playing field.
The University’s proposal to open up the Darlington campus along Shepherd St as part of their proposed rebuilding of the Darlington campus will be welcomed, especially by those annoyed by the University’s recent decision to close the current access gate at 6pm forcing them to walk around the Uni to get to the Seymour Centre and Prince Alfred Park. They do not want to wait for a rebuilt Uni to see permeability improved. There will be major concerns that the Uni’s plan to remove cars from the grounds of the University and place parking stations around the periphery if they shift more traffic into Darlington. There is concern at the proposed closing of Butlin Ave to Codrington St which is a main access point to Darlington from City Road. The RWA TIS did not model this change which is widely expected to create major traffic problems for Darlington if it goes ahead. The University is using the same traffic consultants as the RWA, so the University needs to ensure full disclosure by the consultants of the traffic impacts and to provide solutions to any problems created by the proposed University changes. This will be essential if the Uni is to win over the surrounding residents who already deal with the impact of existing University traffic on their streets.
One of the current Uni buildings nearing completion is the Sydney Central building. The Uni’s website says "Sydney Central building (yet to be formally named) will create a mini city-centre for the Darlington and Camperdown campuses offering vibrant public spaces and retail areas". The University has recently distributed a leaflet on Sydney Uni Retail Opportunities EOI (1 MB PDF Scan) which is calling for Expressions of Interest from businesses in food, bars, supermarkets, book stores cafes, restaurants etc to become part of the new development. Local businesses have expressed concern about the impact such developments will have on surrounding businesses such as those in Darlington.
The University is planning a public meeting in July to start consultations on their Abercrombie Street Campus proposal and more broadly their Campus 2020 Masterplan and North Eveleigh proposal. Elton Consulting has been appointed to handle the community consultation. The REDWatch site has a University of Sydney section and we will post the details of the consultation on the REDWatch website when available. You can get information about current University proposals under the current 2010 programme from the University’s website www.facilities.usyd.edu.au/c2010/about/summary.shtml.
Darlington – Chippendale Urban Design Study – University Confusion
The proposed built form controls and the desired future character for Chippendale, Camperdown, Darlington, West Redfern and North Newtown from Council’s Urban Design Study (UDS) have gone up on the City of Sydney’s web site at www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/Development/CityPlan/SiteSpecificPlanning/WestRedfern.asp. Darlington residents should immediately notice that despite of what was said about the borders between Darlington and the University campus, the UDS still classes the area for which the University has received Director General’s Requirements for their Abercrombie Street Campus as being part of residential Darlington and not part of the University. This is despite the existing Land Use Zoning clearly showing the area zoned as Special Uses – University. The CoS UDS proposes height controls of 3 storeys along Abercrombie St for the block between Golden Grove and Codrington Sts, while the University’s preliminary Major Project Application proposes 4 storeys for this street frontage. The UDS proposes a maximum of 5 storeys on a small part of the site while the University has proposed 5 to 7 storeys towards the middle of the block.
The Council’s response is that the consultants have been guided by a brief prepared early last year to undertake the study which was before the Major Project application for the Sydney University's Campus 2020 Master plan was released! On this basis the brief must have been contrary to the existing land use zoning. The issue of the University / Darlington border was raised at three CoS consultation meetings that we are aware of. When the University was issued with DGRs by the Department of Planning we again bought the anomaly to the council officer’s attention to make sure the area was correctly shown. So when final maps were made public, after they had been accepted by council committee, we were stunned to see the issue still had not been addressed. It makes us wonder why CoS went through the show of the consultation if they were not going to address the issues raised even if they were not in the initial brief. Council should go back and adjust the report to reflect the current reality rather than accept the report as it is based on now inaccurate parameters. Currently we are advised that the recommendations contained within the study will inform the City Plan LEP and DCP, which would be subject to consultation requirements under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulations 2000. It is our view that problems in the report should be sorted out now rather than be left to be raised yet again in some future consultation.
Redfern Community Health Centre Relocation Details
There has been much said about the new Redfern Community Health Centre which will go into the former Court House and Police Station which has not yet begun construction. Of course Redfern already had a Community Health Centre but it was based at the old Rachel Forster Hospital site which the RWA has recently sold for a private housing development. Because of the sale the Redfern Community Health Centre has had to move from the hospital site and make alternative arrangements for what is expected to be about 18 months until a new centre is built. Other community groups who used the meeting facilities at Rachel Forster have also lost their meeting place.
The Mental Health Team and Community HIV/AID Services (Positive Central Allied Health and the Heterosexual HIV / AIDS Service / Pozhets) have relocated to 155 Pitt St Redfern. The phone number 9395 0444 and the fax number 9690 1978 will remain the same. The Community Nursing team has relocated to Building 11 on the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Campus Phone 9515 3150, Fax 9515 3166 & Nursing Intake 1300 722 276.
RWA Built Environment Update
The RWA Built Environment Ministerial Advisory Committee (BEMAC) met in early June and had their first briefing on the RWA’s North Eveleigh Concept Plan which was then on exhibition. The RWA also updated the committee on progress on the Blacksmith Shop which they hope will be finished for pre-Christmas markets in October.
On the ATP, the construction contract has been let for the Channel 7 building, and other development lots will be taken to market in the near future. There is a lot of interest in the sites. As mentioned elsewhere the ATP has addressed noise issues from events held at the ATP.
Stage 2 of the Built Environment Plan had been further delayed. The consultants are finalising their work and proposals will go to cabinet and be released in about 3 months. It was again emphasised that the proposals deal only with low rise public housing and excluded the high rise towers. The RWA said that the process was similar to the Urban Design Study for the area recently done by the City of Sydney and would look at how a mix of public and private housing can be provided.
Following the BEMAC meeting the Department of Planning have posted an application for a modification of the TV Production Studio and Office Complex at Australian Technology Park (MP 06_0149 MOD 1) for “Minor modifications to facade and other elements arising from development of design and BCA compliance”. The modifications can be seen on the Department of Planning’s Greater Metropolitan Area including Central Coast section of the Major Projects register.
RWA / ATP Address Noise Issues
Over the last few months we have reported about resident complaints over noise emanating from the ATP special functions. The RWA CEO Robert Domm told the members of the RWA BEMAC that the RWA has now changed the way it handles noise monitoring at the ATP. The ATP will now have direct responsibility for ensuring that noise inside the venue does not go above the required level rather than the previous situation where it was the responsibility of the hirer with the ATP only monitoring externally. The RWA say that this will enable them to ensure that they meet their obligations, although it may also mean that some hirers who like to turn the sound up will no longer find the ATP a desirable venue.
The RWA also ran into some problems at the Blacksmiths Shop when it started work with a large vibrating roller. Complaints came in from residents that the rollers were also causing houses nearby in Wilson Street to vibrate. The RWA quickly responded to resident concerns and stopped the machinery. The RWA have now decided to go with a more costly concreting option rather than asphalting as previously planned, so the roller will no longer be required. The RWA’s speed at addressing the problem was appreciated by nearby residents.
RWA Development Applications
The only RWA DA currently on exhibition RWA Development Applications On Exhibition is a proposal for the Internal refurbishment and repainting of the external wall panels at the RTA Transport Management Centre at 25 Garden Street, Eveleigh (Australian Technology Park ). Exhibition period until 27 June 2008.
Since our last update the RWA has posted two RWA DA Notices of Determination. One is for the erection of an A-frame directional sign on the North Eveleigh site viewing platform, located at Wilson St opposite Codrington St.
The other was for a modification to Blacksmith Shop Approval for the “Removal of six (6) blacksmiths' furnaces and the provision of two (2) additional car parking spaces to previously approved refurbishment of the former Blacksmiths' Workshop”. The six furnaces in the original DA Statement of Environmental Effects were described as being of State Significance and were to be moved to the Eastern end of the Blacksmith Shop near the pedestrian entry. As the modification was not placed on exhibition the reason for the modification is not known.
RWA Seeks to Close ATP Blacksmith’s Shop – Open Day 17th August 10am – 2pm
One of the features of the ATP has been Wrought Art Works continued operation of the Blacksmith shop’s original equipment in Bays 1 & 2 south of the Locomotive Building at the ATP. The construction of the ATP even included the erecting of an acoustic wall so the business could continue to use the workshop in proximity to its new uses. From the very beginning using the old equipment has been seen as maintaining a link to the building’s industrial past, but that is at risk with the RWA serving the occupants with a notice to quit by the 30th September 2008. A campaign is being organised to keep the Blacksmiths Shop as an important part of the area’s functioning heritage. More information will be posted on the REDWatch website at ATP's Operating Blacksmith's Shop as it becomes available. If you can lend your support to Guido Gouverneur. contact him on info@wroughtartworks.com
An Open Day will be held on Sunday 17th August 10am – 2 pm with tours on the hour of the workshop, blacksmithing demonstrations and explanations of steam powered blacksmithing assemblages by Guido. You can find out more about the work done by Guido at www.wroughtartworks.com.
Large Erecting Shop on Federal Heritage Radar
Friends of Eveleigh and their supporters have been pushing for the Large to be added to the National Heritage List. Minister Peter Garrett recently advised one of the application’s supporters that while the Large was not chosen for the 2008-9 work plan from the 129 nominations the minister said “I am aware of the redevelopment proposal of the Eveleigh precinct including changes to the Large Erecting Shop and its associated equipment and I am keen to explore ways to ensure that its special values are protected to assist in demonstrating our working class history. I have asked my Department to liaise with the New South Wales Government over future plans for the Large Erecting Shop.”
RWA and the State Budget
The 11th June 2008 Central magazine reported that the NSW budget delivered $4.648m for the redevelopment of the community health centre at the former Redfern police station and courthouse. It also mentioned $3.7m in “funds for the Redfern-Waterloo Authority to construct the North Eveleigh pedestrian bridge and improve the precinct”. The RWA and ATP are jointly contributing $6M towards the pedestrian bridge and the RWA is undertaking the refurbishment of the Blacksmith's Workshop. As the ATP is controlled by the RWA it is consolidated in the budget. When questioned the RWA advised that the $3.7M figure would be projected capital expenditure on these projects by ATP/RWA in the 2008-09 financial year. We were advised that the RWA's operational funding for 2008-09 is $5M.
RWA Human Services Update
We understand from those who attended the Human Services Ministerial Advisory Committee that an initial Draft Evaluation of the Human Services Plan was going to the Senior Officers Group (ISOG) in June and should be released in the near future. The Human Services Plan Phase 2 is also close to being released and a forum of service providers is being planned to discuss its implementation. There has also been an evaluation of the Case Coordination Unit completed. Although the Human Services Team is due to finish at the end of June 08, the RWA and ISOG will continue to monitor and evaluate the implementation of both plans.
Waterloo Green Landscape Consultation - Wednesday 9 July 2008
Housing NSW and the Department of Commerce have been consulting local residents regarding their landscape plan for Waterloo Green. The development and implementation of a comprehensive landscape plan for Waterloo Green is a key response by Housing NSW to community concerns regarding safety and amenity in the June 2007 Safety Audit and the Waterloo Green Action Plan Housing . Further consultations are planned for Wednesday 9 July 2008 with sessions at 11am and 2pm in the Matavai Community Room 3 Phillip Street, Waterloo. At both sessions the landscape architects will explain the sketch plans and ideas for Waterloo Green and seek feedback. Light refreshments will be provided. The final plan expected to be released in August. For further information contact Jenny Speakman, Team Leader (Project Support) ph. 9268 3454 or Mike at the Factory ph 9698 9569.
Waterloo Green Action Plan Implementation
Waterloo residents were recently presented with a ‘report card’ on agency progress in the implementation of the Waterloo Green Action Plan. An electronic copy has just been made available and it can be downloaded from Waterloo Green Action Plan Draft Report Card June 2008 (MS Word 91KB). For further information contact Mike at the Factory ph 9698 9569.
South Sydney Interagency looks at area’s forward budget needs
The new South Sydney Interagency had its second meeting on 11 June 2008. The feature of the meeting was a short consultation by NSW Council of Social Services (NCOSS) which is commencing a series of visits across the state to talk to community organisations about what they want to see in the 09/10 State Budget. The interagency aims in a holistic way to look at the South Sydney region and strengthen the mutual support and interactions between NGOs. The findings from the discussion What Needs to be done in RW Human Services – An NGO Perspective provide a window into the area’s needs from the perspective of on the ground human service agencies.
Making Connections - Changes and Events by 4th July 2008
Jo Fletcher from Connect Redfern Schools as Community Centres Program will be updating the Making Connections brochure for Term 3 during the school holidays. If you have any changes, additions or fliers you would like included in the brochure please contact Jo connectredfern@yahoo.com.au NO LATER THAN MONDAY 4th JULY. You can find Connect Redfern listings and other tools to find local services on the REDWatch site under Find a Local Community Service.
CoS Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Panel – Nominations Close Friday 1st August 2008
In the last update we advised Nominations sought for City of Sydney Aboriginal and Torres Strait Advisory Panel and provided some background to the proposal. Nominations for the panel close on Friday 1st August. The proposal came from the Council's 2030 Sustainable Sydney consultations between August and Oct 2007 with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. As a result Council resolved to endorse the establishment of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Panel and to nominate a Councillor as a Co-Chair of the Advisory Panel. Central Magazine covered the story on 18th June in Urban Indigenous Body to Form.
CoS Plans for Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Eora Journey 2030 Proposal
Following the Federal Government’s apology to the Stolen Generations on 13th February 2008, Council resolved to commit to the establishment of a major Aboriginal Cultural Centre in co-operation with the State and Federal Government and private philanthropic sources. The aim of this centre is to teach the story of the world’s oldest living culture, to be a place for black and white Australians, and overseas visitors, to learn more of our shared story. In addition to the Advisory Panel mentioned above, Council proposes to establish a short-term internal Working Group to set up the process for the Cultural Centre and Eora Journey. This group will develop a preliminary proposal, investigate existing models and investigate potential partners such as Indigenous tourism and business advisors, financial supporters, State and Federal Governments etc. Invitees to this group include Dawn Casey, Director of the Powerhouse Museum and Carol Mills, Director General of the NSW Department of the Arts. The proposal for the Cultural Centre and the Eora Journey was outlined in Sustainable Sydney 2030 Eora Journey - Pathways from the Harbour to Redfern (PDF 837KB). The plans were also covered in Clover’s eNews Celebrating Aboriginal Culture of Friday 13 June 2008
NAIDOC Week 6 July 2008 – 13 July 2008
A number of NAIDOC week events are again planned nationally National NAIDOC and locally City of Sydney : NAIDOC Week. City of Sydney events include:
After The Apology Forum - 28 June 10.00am - 4pm - The forum will include first hand accounts from members of the Stolen Generations and local community workers, as well as interactive workshops. - Venue: Redfern Community Centre 29 Hugo Street Redfern RSVP Tracey Duncan, Aboriginal Community Development Officer on 9265 9333 as places are limited
NAIDOC Launch 2008 - Film Screening and Community BBQ - 6 July 2.00pm - 6.00pm - Peter Forsythe Auditorium. Cnr Franklin, Glebe Point Road and Grose Street Glebe
March and Flag Raising Ceremony - 7 July 10am - 11am - March from Redfern Park to Pemulwuy Park, Redfern; 11:00am - 12:30pm - Flag Raising Ceremony at Pemulwuy Park. From 12:30pm onwards there is a BBQ at Redfern Community Centre, 29 Hugo Street Redfern
NAIDOC Week Storytime with with Adam Hill - 10.00am - 11.00am, 8 July - Attend a special story time and craft activity for primary school-aged children with local identity and artist Adam Hill at Waterloo Library, 770 Elizabeth Street Waterloo. Bookings essential - Phone 9288 5688
Aboriginal Art: Meaning and Symbolism with Adam Hill - 6.30pm, 10 July - Local artist and storyteller, Adam Hill, will explore the meaning and symbolism of traditional and contemporary Aboriginal art. Venue: Glebe Library, 186 Glebe Point Road, Glebe. Bookings essential - Phone 9298 3060
NAIDOC Family, Sports & Market Day - 10.00am - 4.00pm, 11 July - Mini festival showcasing Aboriginal performers, artists, free BBQ, sporting personalities and the ever popular Redfern Market Day at Alexandria Park, Buckland Street Alexandria
Woolloomooloo Family Day - 10.00am - 3.00pm, 12 July - Entertainment and activities including boomerang painting, a didgeridoo and artefacts workshop, live music, kids' activities, free BBQ and more at Forbes St Reserve (between Nicholson and Best Streets)
Redfern Residents for Reconciliation Gathering Ground Photos
Redfern Residents for Reconciliation update their website www.redfernoralhistory.org regularly to include photographs of local events and links to other people’s photos of the area. The most recent additions are of the 2008 Gathering Ground performance and installations through a link to Alexandra Crosby’s Flickr collection. RRR want to include photos of local NAIDOC Week events on the website, but in a week when there are so many activities it will be difficult for RRR’s dedicated photographers to cover them all. If you are planning to attend any of the events and would like to contribute your photos please contact Maggie Roche ph.9810 3997 or Lyn Turnbull ph 9699 3105. Before we can add photos to the site people in the photos must give their consent.
Art Galleries and Aboriginal Arts, Performance and Culture – Redfern Chamber of Commerce Proposed Initiatives
The Redfern Waterloo Chamber of Commerce has decided to adopt a “communities of interest” approach to supporting and promoting businesses in the area. The Chamber has decided to work initially on two areas, which are not necessarily mutually exclusive, by linking and promoting the areas art galleries and in identifying and better promoting the area’s Aboriginal arts performance and cultural activities. It is hoped that by better identifying what the area has to offer in these two areas the Chamber and businesses will be able to improve the promotion of events and explore the possibilities of gallery walking tours to bring people into the area. The Chamber proposes to act as a facilitator for this process and is interested in hearing from businesses in either of these areas that would be interested in working with the Chamber and other businesses in either of these two fields. If you are interested please contact the Chamber President Chris Curtis on 0410588700.
Concrete Culture - Ivan Dougherty Gallery until 5th July 2008
Since 2005 SquatSpace have been running their Redfern Waterloo Tour of Beauty? Over this time they have been documenting some of the issues and changes as their tours hear input from a range of local people. SquatSpace have included seven televisions showing short quotes from some of the speakers from the Tour of Beauty in the “Concrete Culture” exhibition with local and international artists Alfredo and Isabel Aquilizan (Philippines/Australia), Richard Goodwin (Australia), Ou Ning (China) and Ashok Sukumaran (India). The first in a series of three exhibitions to be staged over three venues, Concrete Culture examines relationships between art and architecture in rapidly evolving cities, revealing how Asian and Australian art can engender community, regional and international dialogue. Participating artists and architects are drawn from Australia and Asia. Subsequent exhibitions will be held at Casula Powerhouse, Sydney and Zendai Museum of Modern Art, Shanghai in 2009-2010. The exhibition is on at Ivan Dougherty Gallery Selwyn St, Paddington until 5th July 2008 – For more information visit www.cofa.unsw.edu.au/galleries/idg/.
Lights Camera Action - Information and registration Days 16th – 18th July 2008
Lights Camera Action (LCA) is holding registration and information days for young Indigenous people living in the City of Sydney interested in gaining new skills and exploring employment possibilities in theatre, film, television and web based productions. LCA is funded by the City of Sydney and meets costs such as production of casting photographs and transport to auditions and shoots. When people register with LCA their photo is taken by a professional photographer then uploaded onto LCA’s secure website and also receive an LCA merchandise and information pack.
LCA will be holding three registration and information days at the following times and locations:
- Wednesday 16 July 2008, 10.00am – 5.00pm Juanita Nielsen Centre cnr of Nicholson & Dowling Streets, Woolloomooloo
- Thursday 17 July and Friday 18 July 10.00am – 5.00pm Redfern Community Centre 29 Hugo Street, Redfern
For more information please contact David Beaumont dbeaumont@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au Phone: 9246 7873 / 0408 115 652
Underbelly Public Arts Lab + Festival looking for Support
The Underbelly Public Arts Lab + Festival is happening at Carriageworks in the first two weeks of July. At the moment there are about 240 artists who will be coming into Carriageworks to create new performances, installations, music, dance, film and many cross media initiatives. Over the lab the public are invited to come down and check out the creative process for free and then on the weekend of the 12th and 13th July 2008 there is a ticketed festival where the work is shown for the first time. The event is run by Rinse Out Inc a not for profit organisation set up to foster the development of local and emerging artists. Their funds are very limited so they are trying to raise in-kind and local community support. If you are able to support Underbelly you can make a tax deductable donation and promote their Giving Tree by visiting www.underbelly.com.au/node/74. For more information contact Jesse Cox on 0401 930 210.
Redfern and Regent Streets Retail Strip Sub-Committee tackles shutters
The Redfern Waterloo Chamber of Commerce has set up a sub-committee made up of local business, the Cos, RWA and local police to deal with shopping strip issues across the CoS and RWA planning jurisdictions in Redfern and Regent Sts. New Redfern LAC Commander Luke Freudenstein attended the first meeting, which agreed that there needed to be a concerted move to get rid of shutters in the retail precinct. A programme to do this is being put into place. The committee will also tackle other issues of concern to the retail operators including parking, pilferage and insurance matters related to shutter removal.
Business Awards Nominations Open
The 2008 City of Sydney Business Awards are open for nominations. This is a good opportunity to promote businesses in the Redfern area so please visit the awards website and nominate our best businesses. There are 25 award categories covering all business types, open to all businesses with fewer than 200 employees located in the City of Sydney. Nominations close on July 25 with public voting from June 27 - July 25, judging between July 26 - August 22 and the awards dinner on August 27. For more information please visit www.sydneybusinessawards.com.au
Live Green Stalls Available – Sunday 17th August
Live Green will be held this year from 10am to 4pm on Sunday 17 August 2008 at Victoria Park, Camperdown. Live Green aims to show that it's easy being green! There will be a demo kitchen; featuring Joanna Savill, Kylie Kwong & other high profile chefs; seminars on topics like ethical investment & green careers; workshops on basics of recycling, green renovating & transport options; kids activities and entertainment; 100 stalls selling and promoting greener products and services, and a bar with organic beer and wine! If you would like to have stalls at Live Green contact Seamus at Smeaton Hackett Events who are handling the event on behalf of the City of Sydney ph. 9380 5563 or email seamus@shevents.com.au.
Developer Appeals Erskineville Supermarket decision
Central has reported in Woolworths takes fight to Erskineville that the developer behind a proposed two-storey supermarket for Erskineville, Harold Finger, is appealing the council decision to the Land and Environment Court after Sydney Council rejected his development application under delegation. Woolworths has confirmed it would be the tenant for the site if the DA is successful. The article reports “Developer Harold Finger said he was appealing the council's decision because he felt planning staff who rejected the DA under delegated authority had failed to consider the development on all it's merits, and believed they felt pressured by vocal resident opposition”.
In the Media
Redfern Waterloo continues to be in the news. Did you know that you can buy tiger worms for your worm farm and attend courses on permaculture, waste reduction, reducing food miles to lower your carbon footprint and advanced worm farming in Redfern? Well you can according to the SMH’s The dirt on wonder worms. The AHC’s campaign to get the bill for assessing their Pemulwuy project waived continued with the Central’s Delay Costing Lives, and Babana got another article in Central’s Support Group for Indigenous Men. Central also picked up on the Waterloo kids 'Good Dog Bad Dog' DVD selected for International Film Festival media release with Little Big Shots Stand Up to Bullies while Kitchen Nightmare - Funding refused for training facility covered The Factory’s media release, the facts of which were disputed by local MP Tanya Plibersek’s office as Trevor Davies points out in Have you heard? - The fast news with Trevor Davies - May 2008.
Tony Pooley pulling out of the Mayoral race prompted the Daily Telegraph’s Clover Moore tipped to win against Meredith Burgman, while the Central ran details of the Labor candidates for Council in Labor Prepares for Elections. The Sun Herald has lifted the lid on corruption in Australian Federal Police in Redfern in the 1980s in How elite agents went off the rails and Officers stand by claims of corruption in AFP. The latter story may provide some context for rumours that have persisted for many years in the area about police involvement in the area’s drug trade. Finally Arts Hub for Chippendale as Warehouses Idle reports on the temporary artists' studios available on the former CUB brewery.
South Sydney Herald June 2008
The last RWIU came out before the June South Sydney Herald so here is a belated rundown of the SSH articles which may be of interest to those in Redfern Waterloo. The SSH reported on the RWA’s North Eveleigh Concept Plan in 3D virtual tour of North Eveleigh, the Inquiry into Indigenous Disadvantage in Redfern with Indigenous inquiry says empowerment is key, the opening of Barnardos’ Yurungai Learning Centre in Guiding kids on paths of education and Gamarada Men’s Self Healing Program Gamarada – men of earth . The SSH also ran a background piece on Tony Pooley Labor Lord Mayoral candidate, Tony Pooley who was selected as Labor’s candidate for Lord Mayor but pulled out before the paper went to press and one of Councillor Pooley’s concerns about Disappearing park signs from South Sydney parks and reserves. SSH and Uniting Church’s Dorothy McRae-McMahon is also profiled in Dorothy, 74, as was Shireen Malamoo in “I paint like I’m dreaming” - Artist Profile: Shireen Malamoo. Jack Carnegie’s photo exhibition Making sense of a city was reviewed, while Waterloo resident’s Carl Milton talked about his painting, ‘Sydney’ in the City of Sydney’s 2008 Multicultural Art Competition in Waterloo resident’s winning artwork. The SSH also reported on The Factory’s Volunteer Week awards Volunteers “the glue of community” , fair trade in Waterloo Fair Trade and Georgian Waterloo resident Inna Goubina in “One kind heart can change the world around”. Trevor Davies touches RWA business support, drug busts, breast screening, The Factory and local involvement in the electricity privatisation debate in Have you heard? - The fast news with Trevor Davies - May 2008. In the Environment Column Anna Christie compares the differing reaction to climate change in Sydney and Heffron in Bermuda Triangle in Heffron? Further afield the SSH reports on Bike to work, the Anti-homophobia rally closes Gloria Jeans in Newtown for the day, on the Newtown Neighbourhood Centre organised a half-day forum on the topic of homelessness in Homeless in Newtown and in sport on the South Sydney Juniors Team of the Century in Five-eighth of the Century.
Australia 2020 Summit Report
There was much fanfare about the Federal Government’s Australia 2020 summit. The final report compiled by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet based on the notes taken by the volunteer scribes attached to each of the Summit topic streams is now available for viewing and/or download on the Australia 2020 Summit website: http://www.australia2020.gov.au/final_report/index.cfm.
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 - Draft Green Square Town Centre LEP and DCP - communal carpark and retail facilities. On exhibition until Wednesday 25 June.
- CoS - Draft Green Square & Southern Areas Retail Study 2008. On exhibition until Wednesday 25 June.
- ILC - National Indigenous Development Centre Consultation – Thursday 26th June 2008 3.00-6.30pm Former Redfern School
- CoS - Victoria Park Playground Upgrade Consultation Venue: City Road, Chippendale Saturday 28 June 12noon to 2pm
- CoS - Draft Surry Hills Local Area Pedestrian & Traffic Management Plan – Improving pedestrian, cyclist & safety amenities of the area. Feedback until Tuesday 1 July.
- CoS - Inner South Community Forum (Redfern, Waterloo & Eveleigh) Community Forum Venue: Redfern Town Hall, 71 Pitt Street, Redfern Wednesday 2 July 6.00pm to 8.30pm
- HNSW - Waterloo Green Landscape Consultation - 11am and 2pm Wednesday 9 July 2008 in the Matavai Community Room 3 Phillip Street, Waterloo
- CoS - Inner West Community Forum St Benedict's Hall, University of Notre Dame Australia, 104 Broadway, Chippendale Wednesday 23 July 6.00pm to 8.30pm
- CoS - Information Update Green Square Community Facility, 3 Joynton Avenue, Zetland Tuesday 29 July 6.00pm to 7.30pm
- CoS - Nominations sought for City of Sydney Aboriginal and Torres Strait Advisory Panel – Close Friday 1st August 2008.
- CoS - Chippendale, Camperdown, Darlington, West Redfern and North Newtown Urban Design Study
- CoS - DA Notifications by Suburb View as Map
TfNSW proposal to reverse Little Eveleigh Street - until Sept 10th 2023
