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RWIU 30 September 2008
[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.]
Fees Paid and Pemulwuy Project is on Exhibition until 24th October 2008
Large Erecting Shop (LES) headed towards RailCorp Storage
ATP Blacksmith Deal Hammered Out
RWA’s North Eveleigh Concept Plan
Sydney University 2020 MasterPlan
Asbestos Contamination Issues on the ILC’s NIDC Development
RWA Built Environment Ministerial Advisory Committee (BEMAC)
Chippendale & Frasers’ Amended Concept Plan
HNSW Booking System for Waterloo Community Rooms, Neighbourhood Centre & Waterloo Green
Metropolitan City of Sydney Subregional Strategy
Sydney Airport Five Year Review of Airport Master Plan - until 16 December 2008
Erskineville & Woolworths the Battle Prepares for Court
Sydney Childrens’ Festival - CarriageWorks 27 September – 11th October 2008
Safety Issues and Waterloo Shops – 30th September 6pm Factory
REDWatch Monthly Meeting – Wednesday 1st October 2008 6pm
PEEPSHOW: Chippendale … behind Closed Doors – 19th October 2008
Meet the New Redfern Waterloo Chamber of Commerce President – 22nd October 2008
South Sydney Herald September 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)
Fees Paid and Pemulwuy Project is on Exhibition until 24th October 2008
The Aboriginal Housing Company’s Plans for the Pemulwuy Project have now been placed on public exhibition by the Department of Planning and people can see the final plans at the Redfern Neighbourhood Centre, 158 Redfern Street Redfern or View project documents on the Department of Planning (DoP) website. This is the link to the Environmental Assessment - main volume (3.13MB PDF) which provides the overview of the project. The full set of documents is also available at the DoP Information Centre 456 Kent Street Sydney and from the City of Sydney Council, Level 2, Town Hall House.
The 'Pemulwuy Project', Mixed Use Development, Redfern-Waterloo (MP 06_0101) is described on the DoP website as “The Aboriginal Housing Company Ltd seeks approval for a concept plan for the redevelopment of the site known as 'The Block', for a mix of residential, commercial, retail, cultural and recreational uses. The concept plan application covers land uses, density, building locations and envelopes, building heights (3 to 5 storeys), vehicular and pedestrian access from Lawson Street, open space and landscaping, and staging. Location: Area bounded by Lawson, Eveleigh, Caroline, Louis and Vine streets, Redfern”. Notification Letters have also been received from the DoP by property owners around the proposed project.
Everyone is encouraged to look at the documents and to make a submission setting out their support or opposition to the project by 24th October 2008 to The Director, Urban Assessments, Department of Planning, GPO Box 39, Sydney NSW 2001; fax (02) 9228 6540; or email plan_comment@planning.nsw.gov.au. Enquiries concerning the exhibition should be made to Sumathi Navaratnam at the DoP on (02) 9228 6361 and the full listing of the project can be found at http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/asp/major_projects.asp. The AHC is also happy to answer any questions about the project proposal, but it needs to be understood that the documentation requirements and the arrangements for the exhibition have been put in place by the DoP. For submissions to be considered they must go to the DoP.
Michael Mundine Senior, CEO of the Aboriginal Housing Company was advised on Saturday September 6th 2008, while the new Premier Nathan Reese was selecting his cabinet, that the RWA would pay the $68,750 fee required by the DoP with no strings attached. The breakthrough followed a meeting, set up by the then ALP mayoral candidate and ex Legislative Council President Meredith Burgmann, between Michael Mundine and Robert Domm to discuss the stand off over the fee required for exhibition. Following the initial meeting the RWA made an offer to the AHC to pay the fee, but the AHC had concerns about aspects of the accompanying agreement proposed by the RWA. One of the key concerns was the possible interpretations of a provision concerning negotiations with the RWA and other government agencies to ensure good governance of the project. In the end the RWA paid the fee without the AHC providing any undertakings to the RWA and 18 days later the Pemulwuy Project documents went on public exhibition.
We understand however that Meredith Burgmann at a recent Darlington ALP Branch meeting has also raised concerns about AHC governance, membership of the AHC and the level of Aboriginal support for the AHC. These concerns echo earlier RWA and NSW Government lines about the AHC and indicate that payment of the fee may not mean that the Government has overcome its earlier concerns about the project. It was probably timely that the Sunday Telegraph of 21st September 2008, in its background article on the new Premier in Can you spot our new Premier?, recounted that it was Nathan Rees, who was at the time Chief of Staff to Milton Orkopoulos, who visited Ray Jackson’s Waterloo home on a Sunday evening in 2005. The article quotes Ray Jackson as saying ``What it boiled down to was would I be interested, obviously with the government's under-the-covers support, in challenging Mick Mundine and taking over the company,'' Jackson says, adding he promptly kicked the men out. ``I was incensed,'' Jackson says. While everyone hopes the Government has left this approach behind, the content of the proposed agreement over the payment of the fee and Ms Burgmann’s recent comments indicate that this might not be the case.
In response to Meredith Burgmann’s comments, the AHC has offered to provide a special combined briefing about the Pemulwuy Project for local ALP branches. They have also offered to provide a written response to any questions Ms Burgmann might like to put to them about her or the government’s concerns, even though these are not part of the project exhibition. Michael Mundine’s response was one of frustration that the same old lines kept being raised even though they have been earlier addressed. He is looking forward to the day when someone connected with Government tells him that the AHC has been doing a great job delivering Aboriginal affordable housing and getting the Pemulwuy Project to exhibition - with out any government funding or support!
One has the distinct feeling that there is more to run in this story yet and that those who support the project will need to continue to show that support in their submissions on the project and to the NSW Government and its agents / apparatchiks. You can see some of the comments about the AHC fee breakthrough in the REDWatch media release RWA Pays AHC Fee for Pemulwuy Project Assessment, Redfern-Waterloo Authority chips in on the Block (City News), Pemulway project breakthrough (Central) and Journalism student Elizabeth Hope’s Next step for the Pemulwuy Project (Webdiary).
Large Erecting Shop (LES) headed towards RailCorp Storage
It has been confirmed over the last month that the LES is no longer surplus to RailCorp’s requirements and it will not pass to the RWA in the immediate future. RailCorp is facing a major problem finding locations to store the heritage rail carriages it has had to move out of the Paint Shop at North Eveleigh to allow the RWA sale of North Eveleigh. The LES is being earmarked for storage. To make space for all that RailCorp wants to fit in, existing active rail heritage use is being wound back.
There is a fear that the restriction of active heritage use in the Large will impact on the viability of 3801 Ltd and the Powerhouse’s 3830, and that the Large could be lost to long term active heritage use. If the Large becomes just a RailCorp heritage storage facility, then it will be easier for Railcorp to dispose of the building with its 12 storey planning control further down the track; possibly when the Endeavour Centre becomes surplus to RailCorp requirements in a few years time.
While RailCorp’s decision to hold on to the Large will keep the building away from adaptive reuse for a while, the erosion of the current active rail heritage use of the site has begun. One of the Powerhouse Museum volunteers at the Large has gone on radio in the last week and revealed that the Powerhouse has been asked to quit the Large in early 2009 to make room for state heritage items that need to be moved from North Eveleigh. The Powerhouse has been offered storage capacity near Goulburn and the pressure seems to be back on to try and force them into Thirlmere. Following the publishing of the Resolution from the Public Meeting Sunday 17th August 2008 on the REDWatch website, the Powerhouse Museum Management requested that we make it clear that “The Powerhouse Museum was not consulted about and did not agree to inclusion in the motion”. The Powerhouse is a Government body and so it is difficult for it be involved in lobbying activities with non-government heritage groups even if the Powerhouse and its volunteers face similar problems to the non-government heritage rail operators.
It is currently not known what space is being offered to 3801 Ltd and if the space on offer will be sufficient for the company to operate a viable heritage business from the Large. It should be remembered that 3801 Ltd has lost its mainline engine and many of its main operating cars to Thirlmere where they currently sit un-operational (in the case of 3801) or weathering in the open (as is the case with some of the cars). Much will depend on what space 3801 Ltd are allowed and if this is sufficient for their existing and future rebuilt rolling stock needs as a heritage operator.
The Government still continues to deny any Heritage Act provision to provide an assessment of what is occurring at Eveleigh even though it is on the State Heritage Register. The National Trust & the Friends of Eveleigh have active applications for heritage protection at a Federal Government level and are waiting for a response from Minister Garrett. This LES has no protection and getting this has to be a priority. The building, its rail heritage use, the skills and the benefits that this rail workshop can bring to an important heritage site like Eveleigh, is still at high risk of being lost to the NSW public forever. There has been no worthwhile response from any of the Ministers although the National Trust has identified the Large Erecting Shop in its working condition as of high heritage significance for some two years now. The LES needs protection as a working railway heritage workshop in perpetuity.
Even though the RWA will not be taking the building at this stage, the RWA is still proposing to conduct geotechnical drilling throughout the building as part of drilling they are doing across the former rail yards. Given the construction of the Large and we understand the absence of plans for drainage under the building, there is concern that this drilling through the LES floor may result in long term damage to the building. These concerns have been brought to the attention of the relevant national and state bodies. Indiscriminate drilling and excavation in the Locomotive Workshop (ATP) has previously caused major damage including in the Blacksmiths Shop.
ATP Blacksmith Deal Hammered Out
In the last update we reported about the Wrought Artworks Open Day and the campaign to keep the Blacksmith operating at the ATP. In the couple of days prior to the Open Day the ATP had started negotiations with Wrought Artworks and following the Open Day an agreement was reached for a 3 x 4year lease. As an indication of the importance of the campaign and of the agreement, Minister Sartor issued a media release Wrought Artworks Reaches Agreement to stay at the Locomotive Workshop Building in Redfern on 22 August 2008. There is also a Wrought Artworks Statement on Lease with RWA/ATP.
Media reports about the issue include Last-ditch effort to save a piece of rail history (City News), National Trust blasts the RWA (City News) and Eveleigh blacksmith shop threatened (Central), with the outcome being reported in Lifeline for heritage blacksmith shop (City News), Deal hammered out (SMH) and Blacksmithing sparks community interest (SSH). The history of this successful campaign can be seen on the REDWatch website at ATP's Operating Blacksmith's Shop including the Stateline follow up transcript Getting Shunted..
Dr Lucy Taksa has provided us with some clarification concerning earlier Open Days at Eveleigh. The Open Day in 1999 was supported by Premier Bob Carr, who launched the Eveleigh Employee Register for Dr Lucy Taksa. Bob Carr’s father worked at Eveleigh and the 1999 Open Day was to celebrate the site's history and to recognize its human heritage, particularly the contribution of its employees. You can read the SMH article about the 1999 event in Teaching Heritage. A second Open Day was 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). Lucy Taksa is still hopeful that the Workers’ Wall proposed, alongside the Eveleigh Employee Register, might be taken up by the RWA and there has been some indication from the RWA that they are prepared to consider the possibility.
Eveleigh Rail Yard Heritage
Following the campaign to save the Heritage Blacksmith at the ATP, there has been a renewed interest in the former Eveleigh Railyards site and its heritage issues. Following discussions with a number of people over the last few weeks Geoff has put together a quick heritage overview of the issues in Heritage Overview of the Former Eveleigh Railway Yards – September 2008. While there are heritage issues that are specific to various parts of the site, there is also a need for heritage groups to co-operate across the site and this overview is aimed as a starting point to get interested parities together to discuss the issues. If you are interested in attending a meeting about such issues, please let Geoff know at mail@redwatch.org.au.
ABC’s Stateline of 19th September 2008, following on from the ATP Blacksmith’s Open Day, picked up on the broader heritage and ATP development issues, including the future of the LES. The transcript of the program can be downloaded from Getting Shunted. Regrettably the video of the report, with very humorous cartoon representations of Ministers Sartor and Keneally, is not available on the ABC’s website.
Those with a heritage interest should also read the section regarding the North Eveleigh Heritage Interpretation Strategy in the section below.
RWA’s North Eveleigh Concept Plan
In the last update we reported on Minister Sartor’s walk around North Eveleigh. At the Built Environment Ministerial Advisory Committee (BEMAC) in early September, prior to the change of Planning Minister, the RWA expected to have finished working through all the submissions and have its Preferred Concept Plan back to the Department of Planning around the middle of September. The RWA has said it will publicly release its revised North Eveleigh proposal as soon as possible and will provide a briefing on key changes from the earlier proposal following the community consultation.
In line with the walk around with Minister Sartor, the BEMAC was advised that the RWA is looking to create usable open space near the western end of the site and around the fan of tracks. There will be some reduction in density, but there will also be redistribution of floor space from the western extremity to elsewhere in the site. It is not clear what might have come from the DoP’s engagement of their own traffic consultants to revisit the traffic issues associated with the proposed development.
One issue which was crystallised at the BEMAC meeting was that the housing blocks earmarked by the RWA for affordable housing will be excluded from the site before it is put up for sale. Until the details are available as to which blocks will be held back, it is not possible to know how this might impact on the University of Sydney proposals. There maybe for example an affordable housing block held back in the middle of a proposed Sydney University playing field for example.
The BEMAC was also told that the RWA were no longer proposing to develop an Affordable Housing Programme as proposed in their Affordable Housing Contributions Plan. The view was that the media release by Minister Sartor, that the RWA would put its affordable housing into North Eveleigh, was sufficient. So all you need to know about the RWA’s Affordable Housing Programme can be found in the North Eveleigh Concept Plan and the Minister’s media release which we have earlier summarised in Affordable Housing and the RWA North Eveleigh Concept Plan May 2008.
It now seems clear that the RWA plans to put all its affordable housing funds (derived from the CUB site and raised from contributions on Redfern State Significant sites) into North Eveleigh, rather than waiting to use them for any future redevelopment of public housing facilitated by Stage Two of the BEP. This has implications for the proportion of the site that will be available to the University for their campus expansion plans if they were to successfully purchase the site. It would probably also mean that whoever buys the site will have to pay out the affordable housing contribution and like Frasers at Broadway the buyer will be unable to provide their own affordable housing in lieu of the contribution. If the University continues with its plan to include some affordable housing on the site it may pay top dollar to do so, as it will also have to pay out the levy for the RWA to provide affordable housing on its retained portion of the site.
The BEMAC meeting also received some clarification on the Heritage Interpretation Strategy (HIS). This turns out not to be a full blown HIS. It was described more as the principles across the site that need to be taken into account when the individual purchasers develop the Heritage Interpretation Strategies for their individual part of the site. We are very apprehensive about this approach as so much will depend on how specific the HIS principles are and what DoP and RWA can do to ensure that they are properly taken up. It is imperative that there be a robust HIS across the entire North Eveleigh site as it, with South Eveleigh, constituted one large site and it needs to be interpreted in that way. It would be a heritage disaster if the RWA’s approach effectively leaves each buyer to interpret their part of the site in isolation rather than as part of a heritage interpretation the entire site.
Bruce Lay, who was on the Ministerial walk around, followed up with a report to the RWA and DoP on the Golden Grove St access case - Stapleton Transport (PDF 69KB). With the changes in cabinet Bruce and Sarah Lay have also written to Carmel Tebbitt and Kristina Keneally trying to keep the issues raised with Minister Sartor on the agenda. Here you can read Bruce and Sarah Lay Letter to Kristina Keneally (PDF 73 KB). Bruce reports that he met with the RWA to discuss the Stapleton Transport paper but that he did not get any indication that the RWA was seriously prepared to look at moving the entrance to Golden Grove Street.
As soon as the RWA’s amended proposals are available we will post details on the REDWatch website for those who use the RSS feeds or who check the website changes section regularly. Hopefully the RWA will post the changes as soon as they go to the DoP and not wait until after the DoP’s determination of the Concept Plan before details of the RWA’s final proposal is made public.
Sydney University 2020 MasterPlan
Sydney University’s Open Day received a steady stream of people with many taking up the opportunity of a guided tour from Shepherd Street through the University. The University put out a USyd Draft Campus 2020 Masterplan Community Fact Sheet 1 - August 2008 (PDF 1.8MB) and also a USyd Feedback Form on Draft Campus 2020 Masterplan (MS Word 59KB). If you were unable to make it on the day or did not complete the form then you can still put in your feedback. The questions cover a range of issues about the redevelopment and the kind of relationship residents want with the University, so we encourage everyone to take the opportunity and make their comments.
The University was hoping to have the details of its Masterplan up on its website in a more user friendly way in early September so residents could use this information to make their feedback. Regrettably if you Google the Masterplan you will still get nothing on the Uni’s own site and can still only get the material via the REDWatch site. One Sydney Uni student expressed his bemusement that after a number of months he could only find out about what was happening at his Uni via the REDWatch website. Pro Vice Chancellor (PVC) Richmond Jeremy also expressed his frustration at not being able to get information up on the University website. One downside of this delay is that the University’s new drawings that do not remove the Paint Shop and Little Eveleigh Street private houses are not publically available. The link to download the University’s 2020 Masterplan is Campus 2020 Masterplan (March 08). (PDF 10.1 MB).
On top of this delay the new Vice Chancellor has decided to re-organise the University Administration. The reorganisation removes all Pro Vice Chancellors and creates Deputy Vice Chancellors (DVC) within a new structure. Campus Infrastructure and Services, of which Richmond Jeremy is PVC, appears to be broken up in the reorganisation, with the aspects connected to Campus 2020 probably being split over three new sections. In terms of high level strategy input to the University 2020 MasterPlan, it will probably sit within the Vice Chancellor’s office and with the Director of Planning. In terms of capital development and finance, it is likely to fall under the jurisdiction of the Chief Operating Officer and DVC, and in relation to community dialogue, it may sit under public relations with DVC External Relations. Hopefully it will be clearer in the next month if and where working with the surrounding community will fit into the new structure.
No further information has been made available about Sydney University Major Project to Consolidate Abercrombie Street Precinct which will be the first of Sydney University’s new Darlington redevelopments. In our initial discussion with the University they were hoping to have this ready by late August and then we were told that there would be discussions with the community about it. Hopefully the University will initiate those discussions soon before its plans are finalised to go to the DoP. We certainly do not want community consultation to be confined to the public exhibition feedback.
City News has run a couple of articles on the University’s plans with North Eveleigh campus could mean homes for cash-strapped students and University promises more beds and fewer cars.
ATP Noise Complaints Continue
The ATP noise issue still drags on. There was a meeting at the Liquor Administration Board on 30 July 2008 chaired by Mr. Armati. You may recall following the last BEMAC we reported that the RWA / ATP were moving to internal noise monitoring. Janice Murphy, one of the complainants present at Liquor Administration Board meeting, reports that during the meeting Mr Armati stated that in his experience internal noise monitoring of venues has proven unreliable, while at the same time the ATP is arguing that if it monitors the functions inside the rail bays there is no need for it to monitor within our homes should residents request this. Mr Armati stated he would be recommending to the Secretary of the Liquor Administration Board that monitoring be done inside resident’s homes if the resident request it. The RWA / ATP, through their solicitors, have appealed against Mr. Armati's recommendation and have asked that the ruling exclude internal monitoring of residents’ homes. The complainants are waiting for the actual ruling of the Secretary of the LAB who will look at all the arguments taking into account the Chairman's recommendation.
On Saturday 13th September 2008 a further event was held at the ATP which gave rise to a further complaint by Ms Murphy. Her account below was taken from a letter she subsequently wrote to the Premier:
“Saturday (13/9/2008) there was extremely loud noise including music, people yelling and shouting, and loud speaker noise. After putting up with this all evening, at 10 p.m. or thereabouts I phoned the feedback number mentioned in their flyer. The RWA/ATP Govt. representative advised she was inside and not aware of what was happening outside the venue! I then arranged to meet her and found they had "dodgem" cars outside bays 10-14 with loudspeakers, music etc. The RWA/ATP Govt. representative said she didn't know this was going to happen as the promoter hadn't mentioned it in their "schedule"! She said she would look into the matter and asked for my home phone number, she then phoned me at home and advised she would resolve part of the problem immediately and the rest within approximately 1/2 hour. I was then surprised to receive a phone call from the promoter (they were given my phone number by the RWA/ATP Govt. representative) they said, amongst other things, that they had paid a lot of money to hold the function at the Australian Technology Park. I suggested they take that issue up with the management of the venue. This sort of intimidation of residents is completely unacceptable and upsetting, but typical. Noise of various levels was audible until midnight.”
The June BEMAC was told that the RWA had developed a new Noise Issue Management Plan that would address the problem, however this has still not been made public and as can be seen from the material above the issue drags on.
Asbestos Contamination Issues on the ILC’s NIDC Development
When work started on the former Redfern Public School site the ILC found that the site contains larger amounts of buried sheet asbestos than originally assessed. While asbestos in the bonded sheet form poses a minimal health risk the ILC has needed to undertake a five week decontamination process on the site. The ILC statement on the issue can be seen at National Indigenous Development Centre Site Remediation Works - Asbestos.
While a number of residents in Cope Street are adamant that they did not get notices about the NIDC exhibition, the RWA told the BEMAC that they were certain that the DoP had written to surrounding residents. It is not clear what has happened. We can confirm that in the recent case of the Pemulwuy Project we as landowner received notice from DoP of the exhibition.
The Central ran an article about Federal Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin Groundbreaking Indigenous youth centre for Redfern.
RWA Built Environment Ministerial Advisory Committee (BEMAC)
We have dealt with some aspects of the last BEMAC in reports above on issues like North Eveleigh and the Large Erecting Shop. Below is some additional information provided at the meeting about other RWA sites:
North Eveleigh Blacksmith Shop Upgrade and Markets - There is a delay of six weeks on construction, so it looks like the markets will not start until next year and that all we may see before Christmas is an Open day. Following problems with vibration while compacting, the floor will now be concreted. The RWA through ATP has started looking for stall holders
Eveleigh Pedestrian & Cycle Bridge (Heritage Walk) - Only six submissions were received although it was also covered in some of the North Eveleigh submissions. At the beginning of September the RWA was waiting for submissions from CoS and RailCorp before forming their response to the submissions.
Community Health Centre - Rachel Forster site has been paid for so Health Department now has the money to build the replacement Health Centre.
Australian Technology Park – The ATP is looking at subdividing for the new blocks so they have delayed taking another block to market for a while. NICTA (Australia’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Centre) is in the process of moving in to their new building at ATP and discussions are underway for new tenants for their existing space in bays 15 & 16 at the ATP. The Channel Seven Building is progressing quickly; it is expected that the basement car park will be finished mid 2009 and building completed early 2010. The RWA / ATP were pleased a lease has been negotiated with Wrought Artworks.
Built Environment Plan Stage 2 – The RWA has completed its work and BEP2 is now with Housing NSW so they can test the assumptions before it goes off to cabinet for approval for exhibition. No time frame was indicated.
Redfern Town Centre – The RWA is drawing up a brief for preparation of a Development Control Plan for the Town Centre which will try and put together arrangements for consolidation so this does not have to be done on a case by case basis as project applications are received.
Redfern Railway Station - RailCorp is working up a business case for funding, so nothing is likely to be made public until funding is guaranteed so we probably will not see anything until after the budget next year.
Chippendale & Frasers’ Amended Concept Plan
Things have also been very busy down on the former Foster’s Broadway site over the last few weeks with the amended Frasers Concept Plan being on exhibition. Frank Sartor was busy in his last days as Minister. Not only did he do a walk around North Eveleigh but he also met with resident representatives about the CUB site. In the Combined Chippendale Community Groups Update - 1st September 2008 residents reported that “In summary, the Minister gave us a good hearing and we are hopeful the meeting will facilitate some positive changes. We took along to the meeting the attached image (Frasers' photomontage) which highlights how massive the bulk and scale will be. In short it set the tone for the meeting. In particular the Minister appeared sympathetic to concerns about the bulk and scale of the building(s) along Abercrombie Street, describing it as a “blob”. The Minister promised further dialogue and suggested he facilitate a meeting between Frasers, the “Expert Design Panel” and the community representatives ASAP.”
The Combined Chippendale Community Groups Update - 25th September 2008 reports that a meeting with the new Minister for Planning was set up and that Fraser’s have also organised a meeting about the open space on the site. There is also other news in their latest Update that will be of interest to people in Chippendale. You can find out more about the activities surrounding the Fraser’s site and Chippendale by emailing communityworkingparty@yahoo.com.au and asking to be added to CCCG email list.
Frasers have lodged a Modification - CUB Remediation and Transitional Works (MP 07_0163 MOD 1 - The modification seeks to clarify: the sequencing of the remediation works to be carried out on the site; the treatment of Block 11 once the remediation works have been completed; and technical wording of conditions relating to temporary groundwater extraction and odorous materials management. The associated documents can be downloaded from the DoP website at www.planning.nsw.gov.au/asp/register2006.asp#gma.
Souths’ Manoeuvrings Revealed
Those who have been following Russell Crowe and Peter Holmes a Court’s involvement at Souths will be aware that not everything announced with great fanfare has come to pass. In an earlier update we looked at the death of the no pokies campaign which was finally killed off at the Leagues Club’s AGM. We were hence also interested in Roy Masters article Peter's backing out of the rabbit hole in which he writes that Peter Holmes a Court's plan for a debt-free Souths Leagues Club hasn't worked out that way either. The article goes into considerable detail about the property arrangements and where it has left the Leagues Club. The article also refers to Peter Holmes a Court purchase of two units overlooking Redfern Park. This $3.06 million purchase was also covered in the SMH’s brief Peter Holmes a Court.
In other Souths’ news RWA CEO Robert Domm has been elected at the AGM to the Souths’ Leagues Club Board - www.southsleagues.com.au/board.html.
HNSW Booking System for Waterloo Community Rooms, Neighbourhood Centre & Waterloo Green
Housing NSW has introduced a booking system for community use of the community rooms and functions on Waterloo Green. The new arrangements include Waterloo Community Rooms in: Dobell - 250 Pitt Street; Marton - 149 Cope Street; Solander - 180 Pitt Street; Matavi - 3 Phillip Street; and Turanga -1 Phillip Street. Requests to use the community rooms at Matavai and Turanga will need to demonstrate that they specifically meet the needs of older residents, who live in the buildings and in the wider community of Waterloo. The Waterloo Neighbourhood Centre at Shop 5, 95 Wellington Street can be booked as can Waterloo Green at Raglan Street & Phillip Street.
While public tenants will not require their own insurance outside bodies will need their own public liability insurance. HNSW have been asked to look at the possibility of an insurance option similar to that available for Council venues that would allow groups without insurance to use the rooms for a small insurance fee. For more information and booking forms contact the local Housing NSW office at Drysdale, 232 Pitt Street, Waterloo 2017 or telephone 9310 8666.
State Government Changes
Since our last update Redfern Waterloo has a new Minister. Local Member for Heffron, Kristina Keneally MP has replaced Frank Sartor and become both the Minister for Planning and the Minister for Redfern Waterloo in the new cabinet. The reshuffle also saw the Arts Ministry, which is responsible for CarriageWorks, going from Frank Sartor to Premier Nathan Rees who will be assisted in the Arts portfolio by Virginia Judge. One of the Premier / Arts Minister’s first functions was at CarriageWorks - Rees comes to Eveleigh for kids. Local Member for Marrickville Carmel Tebbutt MP, in addition to being Deputy Premier, is also Minister for Climate Change and the Environment and Minister for Commerce. Here is the full list of NSW Ministers.
Early media coverage of the approach of the new Minister for Planning and Redfern Waterloo include Keneally tight-lipped on key planning projects (City News), NSW Planning: Right Wing and a Prayer? (City Hub) and Keneally: Sartor’s planning reforms to continue (Central). REDWatch has put some questions to Minister’s Keneally and Tebbutt for the October South Sydney Herald that should give an indication of their thinking on specific Redfern Waterloo issues.
New Faces on City Council
Council elections have seen Clover Moore’s Independents increase their hold on City of Sydney Council. With five Councillors, as well as Clover as the Lord Mayor, they have six of the ten positions. The new councillors on Clover’s ticket are Robert Kok and Di Tornai who join re-elected councillors John McInerney, Marcelle Hoff and Phillip Black. The other winner out of the election was the Greens with Irene Doutney joining a re-elected Chris Harris allowing the Greens to be the only other group that can put and second their own motions to council. The big looser was the ALP who had no councillors re-stand and who have had their representation cut from three members to one. The ex President of the NSW upper house, Meredith Burgmann will be on a steep and busy learning curve as the sole ALP member who will sit with the Liberal’s sole member Shane Mallard who was re-elected.
The referendum on wards was defeated. Three Councillors now live in Redfern – Clover Moore, John McInerney and Irene Doutney. Suburbs surrounding Redfern Waterloo were also well represented with Chris Harris (Chippendale), Phillip Black (Surry Hills) and Di Tornai (Zetland). You can see further details and photos of the new councillors at www.sydneymedia.com.au/html/3721-city-election-results-announced.asp?orig=Home.
In the lead up to the election and its aftermath things have been quite at CoS as can be seen by the record low number of items on consultation at the end of this email. Council did manage to squeeze in the Redfern Park and Art Opening on 31st August 2008 prior to the election which received a good turn out.
Metropolitan City of Sydney Subregional Strategy
Submissions have now closed on the NSW Subregional Strategy for the City of Sydney. You can see details of the CoS council concerns in Clover’s eNews article Sub-Regional Strategy Fails City's Future which as a link to the CoS Submission. You can also read the REDWatch Submission on Sydney City Draft Subregional Strategy Sept 2008 which picks up more on REDWatch’s Redfern Waterloo concerns with the draft strategy.
Sydney Airport Five Year Review of Airport Master Plan - until 16 December 2008
One of the issues noted in the Sydney Subregional Strategy is the need for government to deal with the increased traffic between the city and the Airport / Port Botany. Sydney Airport has released its latest five year review of the Airport Master Plan for public consultation. The revised plan forecasts an increase to 78.9 million passengers, 402,000 aircraft movements and over one million tonnes of freight annually by 2029.
The Master Plan assumes that there will be no changes to the curfew, aircraft flight paths, the aircraft movement cap, access arrangements for regional airlines and no new runways. However, the Airport remains outside state and local planning frameworks, and involves proposed land use zones that have no equivalent in local or state government planning documents. You can view the Preliminary Draft Master Plan 2009 at www.sydneyairport.com.au/SACL/Corporate+Information/Master+Plan.
Erskineville & Woolworths the Battle Prepares for Court
The appeal against CoS planning decision against the proposed Woolworths development in Erskineville goes to Land and Environment Court 24-27th November 2008. A community meeting is being held at 7:00pm on 15 October 2008 at The Holy Trinity Church for the purpose of discussing the resident’s role at the hearing and the court process generally. For more details visit www.erskinevillevillage.org. The Central reports in Erskineville shoppers not so spoilt for choice that a 2300-square-metre store was approved for Fountain St, Alexandria, which they claimed was destined to be a Woolworths.
In other Erskineville news, the mural about Olympian Peter Norman, who stood up for human rights at the 1968 Mexico Olympics, has also had some more media attention including in the Central’s Memorable moment hidden from view.
Sydney Childrens’ Festival - CarriageWorks 27 September – 11th October 2008
In the October school holidays, Sydney Children’s Festival rocks into CarriageWorks and transforms every corner of this immense building into an artistic playground for Sydney children aged 5 – 15. There are loads of performances, workshops and free activities for every child to get stuck into.
MEET DINOSAURS At The Petting Zoo meet Erth’s awesome prehistoric creatures, from cute baby dinos to teeth-gnashing giants. Ancient life-like dinosaurs are alive and mostly friendly (!) in this fun, educational and unique performance event that will delight children of all ages.
CIRCUS FUN You’ll want to run away with the circus after Aerialize’s new circus show, Jungle Fever, a wild adventure tale inspired by characters from The Jungle Book and Tarzan. Aerialize’s highly skilled youth and professional circus performers will astound you as they swing and swoop from the rafters, and wow you with their daring trapeze, acrobatics and clowning - and then try it yourself in the circus skills workshops.
STORYTELLING Be inspired by some of Australia’s leading children’s authors – Andy Griffiths will have you rolling on the floor with his delightful and disgusting stories, Matt Ottley gets the creative juices flowing with his wacky cartooning workshop, and Richard Tulloch teaches the art of excellent storytelling to keep ‘em all on the edge of their seats.
ARTS WORKSHOPS Heaps of workshops will be all fun and games for budding performers and artists… dance, act, paint and create your day away!
EXHIBITIONS Explore the fantastical, whimsical and interactive visual art exhibitions – everything from giant red megaphones for you to climb inside, colourful paintings by local kids, and an elephant themed interactive playground. Children can even add their own artwork to the growing festival mural.
COMPETITION Calling all budding photo-journalists! We are searching for the most talented up and coming snappers to win the chance to be an Official Festival Photographer… win a workshop with leading Australian photographer, Lisa Tomasetti, and your images exhibited at the festival.
For more information Click here to visit the Sydney Children's Festival website and enjoy the school holidays!
Safety Issues and Waterloo Shops – 30th September 6pm Factory
The Factory’s Housing Communities Assistance Programme (HCAP), residents, the Chamber of Commerce, the City of Sydney and the Waterloo Community Safety Action Group (formerly ‘Waterloo Green Action Group’) are working together to address some of the safety issues around the Waterloo area; particularly Botany/Raglan Street shops. Local business and those stakeholders (who are concerned about these challenges) are invited to attend a dialogue about community safety issues faced by local businesses and other ‘appropriate’ stakeholders in the Waterloo area.
Beth Jewell and John Maynard from the City of Sydney have both visited businesses and discussed their concerns about ongoing issues around the Waterloo Shops. Michael Shreenan, the HCAP worker at the Factory, has been asked to convene the meeting which it is hoped will be able to identify what the current challenges are, explore the possibility of collaborative action to tackle these concerns, and see how businesses and residents can work together on such issues. If you require further information please contact Michael at the Factory (9698 9569) or Beth Jewell at CoS (9288 5521). The meeting is at The Factory Community Centre, 67 Raglan Street, Waterloo.
REDWatch Monthly Meeting – Wednesday 1st October 2008 6pm
The departure of Minister Sartor has caused some people to suggest the RWA should now be wound up. If that happens will Redfern Station get upgraded in the near future? REDWatch is developing its view to put to the new Minister for Redfern Waterloo so come along and have your say about what you want from the post Sartor Redfern Waterloo Authority. There have been lots of changes in the last month so come and find about what is happening in Redfern Eveleigh Darlington & Waterloo between 6pm and 8pm at The Factory Community Centre, 67 Raglan St Waterloo.
PEEPSHOW: Chippendale … behind Closed Doors – 19th October 2008
PEEPSHOW is an “open day” for visitors to interact with the Chippendale community and it is growing like topsy. So if you are a Chippendale business and have not registered for the Chippendale Business Directory and Map you are encouraged to do so. If you are someone who wants to know about what goes on in Chippendale then keep an eye on www.queenstreetstudio.com/peepshow.html and come along on the 19th October 2008.
So far they have 18 businesses/organisations participating as PEEPSHOW tour locations: these are MOP Projects | Rex Dupain Studio | The Resistance Centre | Marnling Press | Graham Kuo Studio | Pine Street Creative Arts Centre | Peloton Inc | NG Art Gallery | Sydney Theatre School | Gorgeous Upholstery | Red and Ruby | FraserStudios | Actors College of Theatre and Television | University of Notre Dame | Gourmet Palette | Bill and George Creative Industries Studio Queen Street Studio | 3 Arts Make-up Effects College
Meet the New Redfern Waterloo Chamber of Commerce President – 22nd October 2008
The new president of the Redfern Waterloo Chamber of Commerce (RWCC) for the next two years is Mary Lynne Pidcock who recently set up Resource 88 Centre for Sustainable Practice at 88 Pitt Street Redfern with Architect Caroline Pidcock. The first Chamber of Commerce Networking function will be held on Wednesday 22nd October 5.30pm – 7.30pm at 88 Pitt Street where Caroline and Mary Lynne will share their vision for the Centre and explain some of the reasoning which supported the decision to locate their new venture in Redfern. If you are a business in the area and would like to attend please RSVP by Monday 20th October to info@resource88.com.au.
Matt Jones from Social Alchemy became Vice President, Geoffrey Turnbull from Stassen Australasia became Treasurer, with Peter Valilis taking on the role of Acting Secretary as this position was not filled at the AGM. Other executive members include the Aboriginal Housing Company’s Michael Mundine Snr, local Chemist Mualla Akinci and Peter Valilis who also works at the Aboriginal Housing Company. Chris Curtis remains on the executive as Immediate Past President.
The RWCC AGM on 26th August 2008 was followed by an informative presentation from Martin Butterworth from Space Syntax about how analysing movement patterns around an area can improve economic activity. The presentation focused on some of the major barriers to movement in Redfern Waterloo from main roads and the railway lines. At the end of the presentation there was general agreement that the RWCC should work towards seeing a movement study undertaken in Redfern with a view to addressing the problems caused by these barriers.
In the Media
In addition to the various media articles about the area already mentioned, Inner Sydney Voice in their spring edition ran a major feature on What is happening in South Sydney? They also introduced Pam Marsh as Regional Council's New Executive Officer.
Following the latest RWA Update and other comments, Babana found it necessary to answer the question Who controls Babana?. You can download Babana’s monthly newsletters from www.myspace.com/babanaboriginal. With Aboriginal employment being an important part of both RWA and CoS activities, City News asked local indigenous leaders about the Federal Government’s plan to use its $76 billion nation-building infrastructure program to tackle Aboriginal unemployment in Plan to boost Aboriginal employment . The Sydney Morning Herald reported on the Bid to make Metro land council solvent while the Syron’s Blackfella’s Dreaming received coverage in City News’ Urban art archive in jeopardy and in Central’s Historic art to stay.
In other articles, Housing NSW’s plans to improve landscaping around the Waterloo Green were covered in Central’s Residents: upgrade wont solve issues, Central asked the question what was wrong with the old health centre at the Rachel Forster Hospital site in Row over new Health Centre, while ABC news reported that Redfern base to simulate Harbour attacks about the new $8.5 million Defence research facility. Police media reported on Operation Laser 2 - Redfern a police initiative in Redfern Waterloo which is “part of an ongoing initiative to drive down all types of crime within the local community making it a safer place”. Finally Central reported In the record books with bronze that Redfern Olympian Robin Bell became the first ever Australian to stand on a slalom canoe podium when he won a bronze medal in the C1 slalom race – see all things are possible in Redfern Waterloo!
South Sydney Herald September 2008
As usual we have placed some of the articles from the September 2008 issue of the South Sydney Herald that relate to Redfern Waterloo on the REDWatch website or you can download the entire issue for September ( MB PDF)Sorry state of public housing – What’s going on? and reporting of Minister Sartor visits North Eveleigh. Other reports included Blacksmithing sparks community interest, Burgmann on the Block and “Access is a right, not a privilege” about the need for the still undelivered Redfern station upgrade. The SSH editorial Farewell Leanne reported on Leanne Fraser saying goodbye after nine years as owner and manager of Appetite Café in Regent Street, Redfern. The successful Village to Village buses were covered in On this bus the classical music’s a bonus, as was Cleveland Street’s Britannia Hotel in Old pub faces new bar. The impact of changes in tobacco laws was covered in Cigarettes – now you see them ….as was an update on the Yiu Ming Temple still in trouble.
The premiere of “This Is Our Country Too” was covered in Intervention into the pride and integrity of Aboriginal people, as was Singing in the Spring - The Sydney A Cappella Festival 2008, “… the song is writing me” Artist Profile: MjWoodbridge and ‘Guwanyi’ - Indigenous Writers’ Festival. The SSH Café of the Month: Bush ’n’ Berry Indigenous Art Café got a run as did Souths end talk of relocation by building own beach. The problems for Chippendale residents of getting a safe crossing across City Road were covered in Residents’ concerns passed over. In the then upcoming council elections they ran a profile on Clover Moore – Independent - Mayoral Candidate and a mayoral guide to Telling candidates apart. The SSH put two questions to the second candidates on the tickets, one about 2030 and the other about community consultation in CoS Council 2008 Candidate profiles. Lyn Turnbull who provided the questions for the SSH said “Irene Doutney’s responses to the questions indicate that the local community will be well served by councillor with such a grasp of the issues that matter”.
When the October issue of the South Sydney Herald is available we will also put the Redfern Waterloo articles on the REDWatch website. If you set up a RSS from the REDWatch website you will see these and other additions as soon as they are made.
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 - Green Square Urban Renewal Area – Proposed Planning Controls for the new City Plan - Until Friday 17 October.
- Sydney Airport - Preliminary Draft Master Plan - exhibition until 16th December 2008.
- CoS - DA Notifications by Suburb View as Map
TfNSW proposal to reverse Little Eveleigh Street - until Sept 10th 2023
