[Please use the list of articles below to find what is of interest to you and jump directly to the story of interest.. We do not expect you to be interested in everything.]

Community Forum explores Sydney University interest in North Eveleigh

Minister Sartor Visits North Eveleigh

Sydney University Opens up to Residents – Saturday 23^rd August 2008

RWA / ATP discovers Wrought Artworks Pandora’s Box

ATP’s Blacksmith Shop Open Day

Open Day Meeting Calls for Government to respond more broadly on Eveleigh Heritage

Friends of Eveleigh August 2008 Newsletter

Gordon & Elaine Syron & the Black Fella’s Dreaming Collection

Frasers Broadway Modified Concept Plan on Exhibition until 1^st September 2008

Metro Strategy for CoS Council Area – Comment until 5^th September 2008

Redfern Community Health Centre Approval Details posted

AHC see Pemulwuy Bill

ILC’s National Indigenous Development Centre (NIDC) Developments

CoS Darlington Chippendale Urban Design Study Feedback

CoS Community Forum Reports

Tell Meredith what you think – Saturday 23^rd August 2008

RWCC Business Forum - Martin Butterworth from Space Syntax on “Movement Economics”- 26th August 2008

The Greens annual Bad Developers Awards 2008! – Nominations Close 29^th August 2008

REDWatch Monthly Meeting – Wednesday 3^rd September 2008 6pm

NCOSS Conference - State Plan: Which Way to Social Justice? – 26^th September 2008

Chippendale PEEPSHOW: Chippendale … behind Closed Doors – 19^th October 2008

RWA’s July 2008 Update

Redfern Waterloo in the Media

South Sydney Herald August 2008

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)

Community Forum explores Sydney University interest in North Eveleigh

A large crowd turned out to CarriageWorks for the City of Sydney Community Forum on North Eveleigh on July 26^th 2008, following a strong push by Clover Moore in Lord Mayor Letter to Residents about North Eveleigh. Presentations at the forum covered the RWA’s North Eveleigh Concept Plan, the City of Sydney’s response to it and the Sydney University’s 2020 Master Plan proposals for the site. Responses to the presentations were provided by the National Trust on heritage issues and by REDWatch on resident’s concerns. This was followed by questions from the floor where residents took the opportunity to raise some of their concerns with the University. The issues covering the site have been well covered in the subsequent Sydney Morning Herald article Battle stations for Eveleigh. In her subsequent eNews item What next for North Eveleigh? Clover Moore reported on the meeting and encouraged the community to continue to lobby on the issue.

The University has presented proposals for the site which would have less impact on the surrounding community, especially in terms of traffic, than the full blown commercial and residential developments envisaged in the RWA’s Concept Plan. The dilemma is that the RWA objective is to get the maximum return from the site to minimise the requirement for state government funds to go towards upgrading Redfern Station. It is hence in the interest of the RWA and the state government to have buyers, willing to pay top dollar to build the maximum density allowed, vying to purchase the site. If the University is to buy on the open market, it will have to compete with those interests and pay the higher price for more density on the site than it says it wants. Residents’ fear that if the University is as committed to purchasing the site as it has indicated, but has to buy at the price for the maximum allowable density, then the pressure will be on the University to make use of the density that they have had to pay for.

The solution flagged by Clover Moore is to try and broker a deal between Sydney University and the state government, where the University does not pay for the right to develop floor space it does not need, with the shortfall in income to the RWA for the station upgrade, to be covered by the state government as is normally the case for upgrade costs for railway stations. Clover advised the Blacksmith Open Day that she has secured a meeting with the Premier in late August for the University to discuss the issue with the Premier. There is a local government election on and Clover of course is not part of the state government, despite all the pictures of her with the Premier that have appeared in recent Council publications. The strategy is sound provided the University pays an appropriate price and arrangements are locked down so the University actually delivers what it promises. To succeed it also needs the support of those within the ALP and the University has been slow to brief the local ALP MPs on its plans. Briefings on the University’s 2020 Master Plan have now been arranged and hopefully the MPs can assist in delivering the lower density University solution as well the government upgrade of Redfern station.

Minister Sartor Visits North Eveleigh

On 20^th August 2008, Minister Sartor made a walk around of the North Eveleigh site with representatives from the RWA, the DoP, consultants and a selection of local residents that had made objections. This followed a presentation to the Minister of the project by the RWA and their consultants and discussion of the issues of concern. Residents will be pleased to hear that DoP have been looking at the Traffic study and further work is being done on this. The issues raised in the submissions go back to the RWA for their response. The RWA revealed that they are already working on changes to accommodate some of the objections. The RWA is looking at the possibility of a park at the western end of the site and redistributing that floor space elsewhere, they are also looking are re-orientating the building to the east of the paint shop. A heritage interpretation strategy is also being prepared. One of the issues explored at length was the feasibility of moving the western entrance to the site further east to avoid problems with cars cutting into Queen Street bit this is difficult given the drop into the site from Golden Grove or Forbes Streets. Hopefully there will be an opportunity for some further discussion between the RWA and objectors on their revised plans prior to them going back to the DoP for further consideration. It is not expected that the changes would go on public exhibition through the DoP.

Sydney University Opens up to Residents – Saturday 23^rd August 2008

At the CoS North Eveleigh Community Forum, Pro Vice Chancellor Richmond Jeremy announced that the University would hold a walking tour and information session on Saturday 23^rd August. The University is advertising this event and inviting the community to find out more about the University and make their comments on the 2020 Master Plan. A statement from the University says:

The University of Sydney’s Draft Campus 2020 Masterplan envisions a revolutionised and reinvigorated University; providing innovative spaces for learning and teaching, a forward-thinking approach to sustainability, and an inviting and accessible space for local residents and the wider community.

The University invites members of the local community to hear more about the Draft Campus 2020 Masterplan by attending an information and feedback session on Saturday 23 August. You will also have the opportunity to take a tour of public domain improvement works, innovative water and energy-saving green buildings, improved pedestrian and cycling links and areas for conservation throughout the University.

Community comments on the draft Masterplan are important to the University and it is seeking your feedback and suggestions to assist it in finalising the Draft Campus 2020 Masterplan.

The community session is focused on the overall draft Masterplan. The planning for specific University precincts is in its very early stages and the University will consult with the community on these as it develops its ideas in more detail. …

The University is here for all of us to enjoy. Come in, explore and enjoy all the University has to offer.

• Environmentally responsible - Protecting the environment for the future, by designing and constructing environmentally sustainable buildings, utilising new and innovative technologies.
• Open to the community - Providing educational, cultural and social activities for all as well as encouraging public access to our attractive landscaped spaces.
• Respectful of our heritage - Acknowledging the past and caretaking for the future, by ensuring the proper integration of new buildings of advanced design and sensitive landscaping with heritage buildings.

The full text of the University of Sydney’s invitation can be seen on the REDWatch coming events page - Walking tour of University & 2020 Master Plan Meeting. The programme for the day includes:

Walking Tour of the University – There will two walking tours one at 1pm and the other at 3pm. Tours will depart from the Shepherd St Boardwalk near the Abercrombie St entrance at these times and finish up at the Holme Building. The tours will last for about 45 minutes and on them you will see some of the recently completed environmental projects, public domain improvement works and new buildings and learn more about the University’s plans for the future. Places are limited and the University encourages you to book before the day by contacting Lauren at Elton Consulting on 9387 2600 or email lauren@elton.com.au.

Drop In Information and Feedback Session between 12pm-4pm – This will be done at the Holme Building (next to the Footbridge Theatre). You will be able to view information on the draft Master Plan and talk through details with members of the project team.

The specific areas of the Master Plan where the University is seeking input from the community include:

• How the University can best work with the community to inform, and consult on the development of the Master Plan and the renewal activities on campus
• How we can limit any impacts of works on the local community e.g. traffic, site clearing and construction
• The key features you would like to see in our campus of the future including:

• o        Environmental sustainability initiatives
• o        Building design and quality
• o        Open space.

• How you currently use the University’s facilities and grounds
• How you would like to use the University’s facilities and grounds in the future.

Further Information - The Draft Campus 2020 Master Plan is available to download at http://www.usyd.edu.au/ab/about/docs/Campus_2020_Master Plan.pdf. The University realises that not everyone will be able to make the event, so it is currently developing a website containing information on the draft Master Plan and a feedback function. You can email community2020@usyd.edu.au to be advised when the website goes live.

We are advised that the University is not yet in a position to display and get community feedback on its Abercrombie Street Major Project proposal so all this information will not be on exhibition on the day. One of the major community concerns about the RWA’s Concept Plan was the Traffic Impact Statement. The consultants who did that study were also doing work for the University on their plans. At the North Eveleigh Forum the University revealed that it had hired new traffic consultants to work on their Traffic Impact Statement. Residents have recently seen pedestrian counts being undertaken, which were one of the major omissions from the earlier study, it is not known if this was for the University or for follow up work required by the DoP for the North Eveleigh assessment. We understand that traffic and pedestrian issues are issues the University wishes to discuss with people on Saturday.

These Sydney University events will provide residents with the opportunity to find out more about what the University proposes. In addition it is an opportunity to start exploring how the University can work more closely with the community around it to deliver mutually beneficial solutions and an opportunity for residents to clarify how they can make use of the University grounds, services and facilities and to talk about what they would like to see in the future. As well as the agenda items that the University has listed a number of issues were raised by residents at the North Eveleigh Forum. It will be interesting to see how the University will responded to issues such as the need to find better parking solutions so the expensive Seymour Centre car park does not sit virtually empty while local residents are parked out by students and staff.

Students and staff are issued with cards to borrow from the library and use other University facilities and at the CoS forum Richmond Jeremy mentioned a new system for using bikes within the University based on swiping your card. Residents however don’t have access to these cards so how might this bike system be expanded so it could also be used by surrounding residents and how might it be integrated with surrounding public transport? Why should students need to walk from Redfern Station say to the university perimeter to access a bike to ride to the other end of campus? It would make much more sense if they could pick up a bike directly from near Redfern station. If the City of Sydney and the state government came on board a scheme could be developed that not only operated for those headed towards the University but a bike-share system for local residents and those working in the area. These are the kind of issues that you might like to raise with the University.

If, in keeping with the RWA / NSW government method of financing, Sydney University ends up funding the bulk of the Redfern Station upgrade through its purchase of North Eveleigh maybe it will have leverage as the adjacent developer for getting a train-bike interchange built in to the yet unseen plans for Redfern station!

RWA / ATP discovers Wrought Artworks Pandora’s Box

When the RWA / ATP issued Wrought Artworks, the current occupants of the ATP Blacksmith’s shop, a Notice to Quit earlier this year they probably did not realise they had opened the proverbial Pandora’s Box. The original Development Approval for the establishment of the Australian Technology Park was based on agreements between the railway workers, their unions and state government to maintain working heritage technology at the site along side the new technology. To fulfil these provisions for the preservation of heritage on the site the government’s Development Approval for the establishment of the ATP specifically referred to the occupancy of Wrought Artworks in the Blacksmith’s shop not as a tenant but as a condition of the approval! Many of the documents surrounding this background can be found on REDWatch’s website Save the ATP Blacksmith.

Trying to force out the Blacksmiths has brought out into the open the original arrangements and questions about how the ATP has handled its heritage obligations under that approval for the Blacksmith shop and across the rest of the ATP site. It also raised the questions of what might happen in the future if the Blacksmith Shop was going to be treated as commercial space rather than as part of the originally envisaged heritage fabric of the ATP. The RWA / ATP did not appear to know that the reason no lease exists is that the ATP had never countersigned and returned a lease that Wrought Artworks had publically signed with State Rail and then with the ATP. Wrought Artworks even have photos to prove it! The RWA / ATP ran the argument that Wrought Artworks had refused to sign a lease and Wrought Artworks say that until the week before the open day no lease had been offered.

The proposal for an open day and the call for support around it (Wrought Artworks Request for Support for Sunday 17th August 2008) put further pressure on the RWA / ATP. That the last Wrought Artworks open day had been opened by Premier Bob Carr only increased the contrast between the past and the present. Initial discussions about arrangements for the open day saw the ATP insisting that organisers could not use the area zoned as public space next to the Blacksmith shop, that any music was prohibited and that thousands of dollars needed to be paid to the ATP to cover security, cleaning and toilets.

The proposal for an open day and the call for support around it (Wrought Artworks Request for Support for Sunday 17th August 2008) put further pressure on the RWA / ATP. That the open day to celebrate the site's history and to recognize its human heritage, particularly the contrbution of its employees, in 1999 was supported by Premier Bob Carr, who launched the Eveleigh Employee register for Dr Lucy Taksa, illustrates the stark contrast between the past and the present. Unlike the event in 1999 and the second Open Day hosted by ATP and the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority during Heritage Week in April 2001, to launch the video: Steam Power (produced by  Dr Taksa and Summer Hill Media), in 2008 initial discussions about arrangements for the open day saw the ATP insisting that organisers could not use the area zoned as public space next to the Blacksmith shop, that any music was prohibited and that thousands of dollars needed to be paid to the ATP to cover security, cleaning and toilets.[Note the original update wrongly stated that the last open day had been organised by Wrought Artworks. We have corrected the paragraph above to provide details of previous open days.]

In the last couple of days before the open day ATP resistance to the open day dissipated and discussions started between RWA / ATP and Wrought Artworks about the terms of a lease. This followed the ATP making an offer of a lease in the ATP Letter to Wrought Artworks 12th August 2008 (96KB PDF) and Wrought Artworks’ publically stating their response to RWA / ATP media statements in Wrought Artworks Rebuttal of Robert Domm's Statements. The proposed lease does recognise the heritage role the blacksmiths play and full commercial rent has not been requested. So while the Notice to Quit has not been withdrawn, there are negotiations for a lease which would allow Wrought Artworks to continue to operate its business from the site and to continue the operation of the heritage equipment. A lease for the Blacksmith Shop is not likely however to result in the broader RWA / ATP addressing their heritage obligations on the site. Moving from being part of the development approval to being on a commercial lease probably removes Wrought Artworks from some of the provisions of the original arrangements and makes them a tenant albeit with special consideration. This is why the former workers pushed for the public meeting on the open day to also focus on the governments heritage responsibilities on the broader Eveleigh site.

In the early stages of the Blacksmith’s battle, information was exchanged publicly through quotes to journalists and letters to the editor. There are a range of documents, letters and articles on the REDWatch website which document the issue. Media stories which have covered the issue include the SMH’s Battle stations for Eveleigh, Anvil chorus sparks an overwrought row and Forget about flavour and paint the town beige. ABC Stateline ran Under the Hammer, South Sydney Herald ran Future is bleak for blacksmiths at ATP , The Metalworker’s Tussle over blacksmith heritage , City News’ Heritage blacksmith workshop told to close. Other contributions included Sylvia Hale’s media release Sartor Should Save Blacksmith’s Shop, Brian Dunnett’s letter to the SMH Ditching Eveleigh agreement robs the future by discounting the past and unpublished letters from RWA Letter to Editor on North Eveleigh & ATP Blacksmith, Brian Dunnett Replies to Robert Domm on North Eveleigh and Michael Clarke letter to SMH of 10th August 2008.

ATP’s Blacksmith Shop Open Day

Organisers estimate that at least two thousand people took the opportunity to visit the Open Day at Eveleigh Locomotive Workshops in the Australian Technology Park during Sunday August 17^th 2008. Visitors went on guided tours of the operational heritage Blacksmiths shop and showed their support for the ongoing operation of Wrought Artworks and ongoing heritage operations on the site. Following initial problems with the ATP management the day went off with out any problems and included musical entertainment which had been earlier banned by ATP management. Many former workers took the opportunity to return to the site and took the opportunity to look around the former Eveleigh rail yards and reminisce with former work mates. One visitor who made the trip to see the Blacksmiths Shop was 97 years old. You can see more in the post Open Day Media Release The Eveleigh Locomotive Workshops Open Day Success.

Open Day Meeting Calls for Government to respond more broadly on Eveleigh Heritage

While the initial focus of the Open Day was the Notice to Quit served on Wrought Artworks, a range of other heritage issues needing to be addressed by government across the former railway site were raised by speakers. Some of these include:

• The state government, RWA and ATP not meeting their heritage obligations for the heritage equipment on the site, especially those provided for the development approval establishing the ATP.
• The ongoing operation and maintenance of the heritage equipment at the ATP.
• The continued preservation of the Large Erecting Shop as a functioning heritage shop rather than heritage operators being evicted and it being adaptively reused or replaced with the RWA’s zoned 12 story building.
• The proposed removal from the Paint Shop at North Eveleigh of heritage rolling stock and other heritage equipment, without there being appropriate facilities for the equipment to move to, so that the RWA has vacant possession to get it ready for sale.
• Opposition to the RWA’s plan to have 4 storey apartment building constructed up through the existing Paint Shop.
• An appropriate use for the Chief Mechanical Engineers building currently proposed to be subdivided into residential units.
• The Lack of any Heritage Interpretation Strategy for North Eveleigh
• Any further degrading the heritage values of the site by honouring the sites rail heritage in the redevelopment of North Eveleigh.

The Public Meeting unanimously passed a resolution calling for the RWA / ATP to withdraw the Notice to Quit on the ATP Blacksmiths (while it still stands any negotiations are under duress), for discussions with the NSW Premier Morris Iemma about the protection of heritage on the site and for consideration of a National Heritage listing. The meeting also called for an interim Green Ban on the site and for government and business not to enter into any agreements that would adversely impact on any remaining heritage on the site until the achievement of a long term process for protecting the former railyard’s heritage. This is the full text of the Resolution from the Public Meeting at The Eveleigh Locomotive Workshops Open Day Sunday 17th August 2008

The Richard Green opened the Public Meeting with a Welcome to Country, with addresses by Guido Gouverneur – Wrought Artworks Blacksmiths, Clover Moore MP – Lord Mayor City of Sydney, Councillor Chris Harris – Greens Councillor City of Sydney, Linda Scott on Behalf of Meredith Burgman – ALP Lord Mayoral Candidate for City of Sydney, Jack Mundy – Former Union leader and Green Ban Pioneer, Michael Mundine – CEO Aboriginal Housing Company, AMWU Representative on behalf of Tim Ayres read the AMWU’s Resolution of Support, Richard Butcher – former Eveleigh worker & author of the Great Eveleigh Railway Workshops, Brian Dunnett – Save the Eveleigh Blacksmith Committee, Geoff Turnbull – Spokesperson for REDWatch and Dave Fleming – Apprentice Blacksmith Wrought Artworks.

You can read Clover Moore Address to the Rally to Save Eveleigh's Blacksmithing Workshop and see Clover Moore - Railway Heritage Handout 17th August 2008. Meredith Burgman produced a Meredith Burgman ALP Candidate's petition on Blacksmith Shop.

Friends of Eveleigh August 2008 Newsletter

The Friends of Eveleigh August 2008 Newsletter (1169 KB PDF) can be downloaded from the REDWatch website. This issue, to coincide with the Blacksmith Shop Open Day, covers the re-submission of the lodgement for a new National Heritage Listing for the Large Erecting Shop, and news about restoration work on the Garratt 6029 Cab for ARHS (ACT) and of the L516, both of which are currently being done by volunteers and workers at the Large. Alive and Active is the theme for the FOE newsletter. While not mentioned in the FOE newsletter we hear that Eveleigh is back to being used by RTM for over-nighting before their trips and that the Eveleigh turntable is again being used to turn. All this underlines the importance of Eveleigh to enable ongoing heritage railway operations.

Gordon & Elaine Syron & the Black Fella’s Dreaming Collection

The problems facing Gordon and Elaine Syron and the Black Fella’s Dreaming collection were raised at North Eveleigh Community Forum. Since this time we have been working with Gordon and Elaine to try and find the assistance they need to complete the cataloguing of the collection so they can hopefully find a public home for their magnificent over 1400 painting collection, or at least the major works from it.

The RWA has provided assistance to Gordon & Elaine to bring their collection to Sydney and has provided accommodation for them on the North Eveleigh site which is due to be sold in about six months, at which time they will need to find alternative accommodation. The RWA has also provided substantial assistance to them to catalogue the collection so there is a basis to value the collection and to explore options for its future. The cataloguing task has taken longer than expected and hence there was a danger that it would not be completed before the building they were in had to be vacated.

We have subsequently ascertained from the RWA that while it can no longer financially support the cataloguing it can allow the Syrons to stay at the existing site until the North Eveleigh site is sold. This provides time for at least the cataloguing of the paintings to be finalised. The RWA has indicated that it is also prepared to provide assistance in getting the collection valued and in moving the collection when that time comes.

The next part of the jigsaw puzzle is to complete the catalogue. One of the problems Gordon and Elaine faced was that they did not have the computer skills needed to adequately undertake the cataloguing task. While much work has been done, it still needs to be bought together into a comprehensive final catalogue. We put the word out through the Reconciliation NSW network and are pleased that from the responses Rona Wade from UNILINC has volunteered to assist in co-ordinating the finalising of the catalogue of artworks and then to start to look at the broader collection of artefacts and photos, many of which document key elements of Aboriginal history in Redfern. UNILINC will also look at how it could help construct and host a website for the collection so the material can be made available and handled in the way the Syrons wish.

While UNILINC will co-ordinate the cataloguing there may still be a need for some volunteer support to work on the data entry and finalising the catalogue of artworks. If so we will let everyone know and UNILINC will provide a web form for you to register your interest.

Throughout this process the Syrons need to make an income to keep up payments on their house and to live as they no longer have an income from the RWA. This means that Gordon needs to set aside time for painting, arranging exhibitions and selling hopefully non-core works. As Gordon is also needed to provide information for the cataloguing it will slow down the process. If you are able to provide any assistance with income generating activities that will help the Syrons let us know.

The next piece of the puzzle is to find somewhere for the collection to be stored when North Eveleigh is sold. If the paintings are catalogued then this can be a temporary arrangement until a final home is found for the collection or parts of the collection. If the cataloguing of the artefacts and photos is not complete by this time, which is the likely outcome due to the size of the collection, then there will need to be some space for this process to continue.

The Syron’s hope is that it will be possible to find a public home / keeping place for the collection in Redfern. A valuation of the collection will hopefully allow for the collection to be purchased by a trust or organisation so that the collection stays in the public domain rather than it being broken up and sold to private collectors. This would allow for Gordon and Elaine to be paid for the collection and have their future financial needs met. Gordon and Elaine have a committee who are prepared to work with a possible buyer to help set up and raise funds for such a keeping place. In The Keeping Place: Mission Statement Gordon says:

"It is our belief that this collection needs to be protected and catalogued and then displayed for public enjoyment. This unique collection has historical importance and is of educational importance," Gordon said. "In most other countries there is an Indian Collection or a Jewish Museum or a Native American Museum of artwork - and we need to have an Aboriginal Museum/Keeping Place re-established in Sydney to capture and inform the Australian and international tourist markets."

This vision shares much with the RWA’s proposal for an Aboriginal Cultural Centre, as found in its Human Services and Employment & Enterprise Plans, which is why the RWA supported the project. It also dovetails with the City of Sydney’s 2030 Strategy proposal for an Australian Indigenous Cultural Centre which is still a few years off. Alternatively it may be a proposal that could find support from bodies like the Federal Indigenous Land Corporation or the NSW Land Council. Another option could be for a philanthropist or a major company that is prepared to help set up a body to create the Keeping Place. Before these options can be seriously explored there has to be a catalogue of the collection for people to start with.

This is an amazing collection of significant works of major Aboriginal artists which has take many years and considerable effort, knowledge and money to assemble from scratch. Everyone needs to work together to find a keeping place for this collection otherwise it will be broken up and lost to the public domain.

Frasers Broadway Modified Concept Plan on Exhibition until 1^st September 2008

The Department of Planning has placed the Concept Plan Modification - Former CUB Site, Broadway (MP 06_0171 MOD) on their website Major projects part 3A - On Exhibition for comment until 1^st September 2008. The DoP describes the modification as to modify the Concept Plan approved by the Minister for Planning for the following:

• an additional 22,000m2 of GFA (resulting a total of 257,000m2 for the entire site)
• extending the site boundaries to include two new buildings in Kensington Street (Nos 18-20 and 42-44 Kensington Street)
• varying the mix of land uses across the site to achieve a mix of 50% non-residential (minimum of 30%) and 50% residential uses
• redistribution of the built form by lowering heights and reducing mass of buildings along southern boundary and increasing the size of the commercial buildings fronting Broadway
• amended central public domain area and park
• a maximum of 2000 car parking spaces (reduced from 2440)
• amendments to the Voluntary Planning Agreements

The Coalition Chippendale Community Groups in their Chippendale News of 6th August 2008 Coalition Chippendale Community Groups Initial Response to Frasers Concept Plan and 17^th August Community Groups Urge You to Comment on the Plans for Former CUB Site have detailed the community group’s concerns especially relating to the increase in density in the modified plan and the building heights on the corner of Abercrombie St and Broadway. There is some interest of putting together a joint response from concerned professionals to the concept plan, if you are interested then please contact the Coalition Chippendale Community Groups Chippendale on communityworkingparty@yahoo.com.au. 

The documents for the Modified Concept Plan can be found on the DoP’s website at View project documentation, the Frasers Broadway website or inspected at the DoP, Information Centre, ground floor, Lands Building, 23-33 Bridge Street, Sydney; the City of Sydney Council, Town Hall House, 465 Kent Street, Sydney and UTS City Campus Foyer, Building 1, 15 Broadway, Ultimo. The latter has been operating restricted hours making community access difficult.

Frasers have posted the Community information session: storyboards, July 2008 (4.6 MB PDF) and Community information session fact sheet July 2008 (395 KB PDF) from the information session which provide an overview of the proposal. They have also produced a new newsletter Newsletter Three August 2008 (404KB PDF) to promote the exhibition and any inquires on the exhibition should be directed to the DoP by phone on 1300 305 695 or email plan_comment@planning.nsw.gov.au.

Since the last update there have been a couple of new articles on the Frasers proposal including the SMH’s Brewery site plan is heritage threat: locals and the South Sydney Herald’s A manicured elephant? Plans for CUB site revealed.

Metro Strategy for CoS Council Area – Comment until 5^th September 2008

In the last update we mentioned the release of the NSW government’s Metropolitan Plan – the Draft Sydney City Subregional Strategy which is currently on exhibition. Geoff took the opportunity of going to the “Talk to a Planner” session put on by the Department of Planning. For the hour and a half he was there he was the only person present to talk to the planners about the Strategy. Of major concern is that the Redfern section of the Strategy is almost entirely based on the published RWA Plans. As a result issues which the RWA has been unable to resolve with bodies like RailCorp or the RTA are not covered in the strategy. This results in there being no solutions proposed for dealing with the dissection of the area by the twin arterial roads and the railway line. Increased traffic from the ports and airport is predicted but there is no indication of if and how it will be handled. The strategy avoids these problems by redefining Redfern so it covers the RWA SEPP, areas of the ATP and North Eveleigh and excludes the bulk of Redfern Street (pp62-63)! Affordable housing which is a key issue for the area gets little coverage. Neither does opportunities for blue collar employment in the area.

Those with an interest in urban planning might like to take the opportunity to make some comments on the Strategy in particular on the unresolved state government issues that impact the area.

Redfern Community Health Centre Approval Details posted

The DoP website has been updated with the details of the Project approval (1.1MB PDF) and Director-General's Assessment Report (527 KB PDF) for the replacement Redfern Community Health Centre. These were not available at the time of the last update. The RWA’s Update of July 2008 also carried an article with details of the announcement Green light for new community health facility.

AHC see Pemulwuy Bill

The AHC has been officially advised by the DoP that the total fees for the next stage of their project application are $68,750. This includes a $66,000 fee and $2,750 to advertise the application for public exhibition. In answer to a recent question in Parliament from Sylvia Hale about waiving the fee, the Treasurer answered – “I am advised: The Redfern Waterloo Authority expects that the Department of Planning will treat the Aboriginal Housing Company in the same manner that it treats all other applicants seeking development on their land”. So get ready for lots of Rock the Blocks and cake stalls to raise the money. Maybe even a big fundraising thermometer on the AHC office facing the RWA offices? Maybe, now the PCYC has declined to move to the National Indigenous Development Centre, the RWA can make a sizable contribution to the appeal from the $500,000 it originally offered to the PCYC if they relocated.

ILC’s National Indigenous Development Centre (NIDC) Developments

Since our last Update the ILC has released the Feedback form the Indigenous Land Corporation’s open house, June 26 2008 and also circulated the Community Contact Details for the National Indigenous Development Centre which are posted at the building site. As mentioned in the last update the ILC also organised an extra meeting for some of the fifty-five residents who had signed a letter to the ILC raising their concerns about the project and that they were not consulted. A report of the Cope Street Residents’ Meeting - July 22 2008 3:30 to 5:00pm has also been released and it provides some further clarification on the development and some of the residents’ concerns.

The problem of non notification of a neighbouring development that confronted the residents of Cope St arises from there being no requirement for the DoP to notify adjoining neighbours about a development next door to them. Council is required to do this. REDWatch has proposed to Council that they discuss the problem with the DoP to see if there can be some agreement to ensure immediate neighbours to a development in the hands of the DoP are notified in a manner similar to if the notification was handled by Council. REDWatch has also suggested that as a courtesy to its ratepayers Council could include notice of DoP projects on exhibition with its DA Notifications. Council will often make reference to such projects at Community Forums but should also make reference to them on their website and email notifications during exhibition with of course an explanation that the project is not being handled by Council!

The DoP website has also posted another application from the ILC to modify their approval for the National Indigenous Development Centre (Former Redfern Public School) (MP 06_0267 MOD 2). The modification is for Approval is sought to permit modifications to the George Street facade of Building F, and minor amendments to internal configuration of building F, including the addition of amenity and first aid facilities to the pool terrace (Level 2). You can download the Application covering letter (470 KB PDF), modification application form (1.5 MB PDF), Architectural Design Report (135kB  PDF) and plans (Building F floor plans (925 KB PDF), revised east elevation (3.1 MB PDF), site plan (1.5 MB PDF), pool deck (686 KB PDF)) from the DoP website. As some modification requests are dealt with without further exhibition anyone who has concerns about the modification should contact Kathryn Myles at the DoP on (02) 9228 6343.

Construction of the NIDC was formally started on August 19^th 2008 by Commonwealth Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, who announced that the federal government would contribute $24 million for the centre's construction, about $5 million more than earlier estimates according to the SMH story Indigenous sports centre under way. Jenny Macklin and Frank Sartor’s media release can be seen at $24 M FOR NEW INDIGENOUS YOUTH CENTRE IN REDFERN.

Many people around Redfern were stunned to see a report in the SMH of 19^th August 2008 that ILC Project Manager Mr Christian Sanhueza was before the ICAC for alleged corruption prior to his employment by the ILC. The SMH of 20^th August in Accused manager at work reports that: “The general manager of the corporation, David Galvin, last night said reputable external project management companies had overseen Mr Sanhueza's projects. "All variations subsequent to Mr Sanhueza's employment had to be approved by an external project manager and not by Mr Sanhueza. Consequently, the ILC has no concerns relating to this project," Mr Galvin said.”

CoS Darlington Chippendale Urban Design Study Feedback

At the Inner West Community Forum the City of Sydney advised that they are interested in feedback on the (July 2008) Urban Design Study (UDS) covering Chippendale, Camperdown, Darlington, West Redfern and North Newtown. The City has now posted the amended copies of the UDS which correct known problems including fixing the University / Darlington border. The Council especially wants to hear from anyone who notices any errors or problems in the study. The UDS will provide the basis for the new development controls that will govern what can be built in the area so it is important that the study be correct. Please have a look at what the study says exists in your street area and what it proposes. If you see any problems or have any questions please contact Andrew Thomas athomas@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au.

CoS Community Forum Reports

Following Community Forums the City of Sydney posts the presentations on the web. For those unable to attend but wanting to get an idea of what was covered can download the very large presentation files. Below are the links to the recent presentations covering this area. Only download if you are on broadband or have lots of time!

• Inner South Community Forum 2008 | PDF 19Mb Redfern Waterloo Eveleigh
• Inner West Community Forum 2008 | PDF 16Mb Chippendale, Camperdown, Darlington, West Redfern and North Newtown

Leading into the Community Forum covering Darlington we asked the CoS when the Local Action Plan’s “short”, and “short to medium” priorities for Darlington will be implemented. The LAP include items such as “Make the shopping strip in Abercrombie St a more attractive and inviting community hub” (13), “Start discussing branding and identity for Darlington” (14), look at “Car parking management around Sydney University” (33) and “Improve pedestrian access to Victoria Park – Chippendale, Darlington and Glebe” (15). We were advised that implementation of LAP priorities for Darlington are not in the budget for this financial year. We have hence written to Councillors asking that if any projects are delayed that work on the Darlington LAP priorities be bought forward.

The Local Area Traffic Management (LATM) Study covering Darlington has also been delayed and is now expected next year. Given the concern about the Traffic Impact Statement produced for the RWA’s North Eveleigh Major Project and the coming Sydney University Abercrombie Street Major Project we have asked for the LATM to be bought forward if possible.

Tell Meredith what you think – Saturday 23^rd August 2008

With the election campaign underway the Darlington Branch of the ALP is holding a meeting with Dr Meredith Burgman The Labor Party's Lord Mayoral candidate and her team for the city of Sydney Council at the Hall in Holden Street on August 23rd 2008 from 11:00am to 12:30pm. This is your opportunity to tell the ALP candidates about the area’s issues that you want to see addressed. Based on last election three of these people are likely to be on Council after the local government elections so here is a chance to have your say irrespective of whether you plan to vote for them or not.

RWCC Business Forum - Martin Butterworth from Space Syntax on “Movement Economics”- 26th August 2008

The Redfern Waterloo Chamber of Commerce is having a Business Forum on 26th August 2008 at Mr Marys, 6.30pm 106-110 George Street, Redfern. Martin Butterworth from Space Syntax will give a presentation on Movement Economics. Martin’s specialty is in analysing movement patterns around an area and then looking at how urban regeneration can be tailored to improve economic activity. Given the major barriers to movement in Redfern Waterloo from main roads and the railway lines, the Chamber thought it would be useful to hear Martin’s perspective on these issues and how they affect our area. Martin has experience of the area from work he has done for the Aboriginal Housing Company. This meeting follows the RWCC AGM. You can download a membership form to join the Chamber from www.rwchamber.com.au

The Greens annual Bad Developers Awards 2008! – Nominations Close 29^th August 2008

The Bad Developer Awards are an opportunity each year to give some appalling developers and their developments the razzing they deserve, and to acknowledge those who are doing their best to make NSW a better place to live. The Awards ceremony will be held on the evening of Thursday 4 September. Please return nominations to Sylvia Hale MLC by Friday 29 August. For more information www.sylviahale.org.au .

REDWatch Monthly Meeting – Wednesday 3^rd September 2008 6pm

Come along and talk about what is happening in Redfern Eveleigh Darlington & Waterloo between 6pm and 8pm at The Factory Community Centre, 67 Raglan St Waterloo.

NCOSS Conference - State Plan: Which Way to Social Justice? – 26^th September 2008

The 2008 NCOSS conference will be focusing on the State Plan and the role of non-government organisations (NGOs) in providing input and expertise to delivering the targets set by the State Plan. The conference also aims to provide an opportunity for the NGO sector to learn about how other sectors are engaging with the State Plan. The conference is 26 September 2008. For more information State Plan: Which Way to Social Justice?

Chippendale PEEPSHOW: Chippendale … behind Closed Doors – 19^th October 2008

“Essentially PEEPSHOW is an “open day” for visitors to interact with the Chippendale community,” explains James Winter – PEEPSHOW coordinator. “It aims to build a sense of community in Chippendale and to showcase Chippendale's unique cultural voice.” A website has been developed www.queenstreetstudio.com/peepshow.html where residents, businesses and organisations can register their creative space for inclusion into the PEEPSHOW event. If you are not in Chippendale and you are feeling like a voyeuristic urban safari that exposes the secrets behind closed doors of the creative industries, communities and personalities that inhibit the suburb of Chippendale put PEEPSHOW, as part of the Art & About Festival, on Sunday 19^th October 2008 in your diary. More information is available on the website and from james@queenstreetstudio.com.

RWA’s July 2008 Update

The RWA produced a July 2008 RWA Update (630 Kb PDF) covering the RWA’s major announcements last month. The update was again strong on promoting what the RWA’s and government say they are doing for the area but short on detail. There were many NGO service providers for example who were surprised at the “highlights” list in the Outcomes from first phase of Human Services Plan which were seen as having only tenuous connections to the Human Services Plan. The RWA report back on Human Services provided greater detail on the government side but many questions still remain which hopefully will be answered when the RWA releases the promised Evaluation Reports for the Human Services Plan Phase One and the Evaluation for the Case Co-ordination project.

Below we have provided links to the major stories in the July2008 – RWA Update – Text Version from the REDWatch website:

Green light for new community health facility deals with the DoP approval of the Redfern Health Centre

Redfern open for business deals with Group Colleges Australia moving into the former TNT tower

New Human Services Plan released deals with the Release of Human Services Phase 2

Outcomes from first phase of Human Services Plan lists a number of projects the RWA claims as outcomes of the Human Services plan

Winners at the NSW Group Training Awards 2008 deals with MG My Gateway and the RWA winning a Group Training Association of NSW Award

Work underway on Eveleigh Markets deals with the conversion of the old Blacksmiths shop on Wilson Street

Channel 7 starts taking shape deals with building construction being about to commence on the Channel 7 building

Black Theatre site complete deals with the completion of Koori Radio’s new home.

Eveleigh Heritage Walk: Project application announced the pedestrian and cycle bridge which was on exhibition at the time.

Redfern Waterloo in the Media

One article in the last few weeks that has caught many people’s attention was Elizabeth Farrelly’s Racism helps to ease the whitewash of Redfern in the SMH of July 30, 2008 which linked together racism, drugs, police and re-development. If you missed it is well worth a read. One of the other Redfern Waterloo stories is the failure of South’s Leagues Club to ban pokies when their renovated club reopens next year. We found the Daily Telegraph’s article How South Sydney's no-pokies leagues club plan died informative in understanding how the plan died. Centrals’ Made up to shine feature article gave Hillsong’s Shine programme a local dimension. In other local stories Central reported on the Reclaim the Block in Block Party a Success, Andrew Woodhouse’s SSH letter Heritage heresy and the Central’s Communication Breakdown covered the RWA / Syron issue and The Daily Telegraph promoted the Redfern Police Drug Forum in Children, as young as 12, using illegal drug ice.

The SMH covered Robert Domm’s move to SHFA in Sartor gives top job to ex-chief of staff while political profiles kept coming in the lead up to the election with the Central’s Burgmann Comes Out Swinging,  ‘Mainstream’ Mallard and Sydney Council elections - four years on and Clover wants more. More generally, but with relevance to Redfern Waterloo, was the SMH’s Bulldozing the past which looks at housing estates in the inner city and on the western fringes of Sydney.

South Sydney Herald August 2008

As usual we have placed some of the articles from the August 2008 issue of the South Sydney Herald that relate to Redfern Waterloo on the REDWatch website or you can download the entire issue for August 2008 (2.4 MB PDF). The lead story in the South Sydney Herald in August was Future is bleak for blacksmiths at ATP. Other local stories included A manicured elephant? Plans for CUB site revealed, Redfern’s new police commander introduced Commander Luke Freudenstein, Ending homelessness - A new focus for the Mercy Foundation , Cana Communities’ Volunteers help to provide shelter for homeless and the Waterloo Recycling Workshop (WRW) Recycling workshop back in business. Other articles included Cafe of the Month: Mayan magic at Meriton in Danks Street, “If I go a week without drawing, I feel bored and worthless” - Artist Profile: Chantal Labbe, a review of Sydney’s Underbelly at CarriageWorks and an article about Craig Hull from The Block Performing for the Pope. The Three Proud People Mural in MacDonaldtown was covered in Mural and film inspired by pride and Young Sonia stands for parliament covers a Waterloo resident’s participation in Youth Parliament. The SSH also reports in a Pythonesque way that Socialist Alliance splits, while Hillsong withdraws DA for Rosebery site escapes the Pythonesque parallel. The SSH also ran City of Sydney Council Elections ’08 - Candidate profiles on Meredith Burgman, Chris Harris and Shayne Mallard.

Have your say – Summary of Current Consultations

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

• USyd - walking tour of University & 2020 Masterplan Exhibition – 23^rd August 2008
• DoP- Fraser’s Broadway Major Project Modification – Exhibition until 1^st September 2008
• DoP - Draft Sydney City Subregional Strategy – Until 5^th September 2008
• CoS – Council Elections 13^th September 2008
• FaHCSIA – Consultation on a proposed National Indigenous Representative Body – Submissions Close 19^th September 2008.
• CoS - Draft Southern Industrial Area Land Use and Urban Design Study - until Friday 19 September.
• CoS - Draft Motorcycle and Scooter Strategy - until Monday 22 September.

• CoS - DA Notifications by Suburb View as Map