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RWIU 18 December 2009

Seasons Greetings from the Turnbull Family / Keep up to date between emails on the REDWatch website / RWA establishes Redfern Waterloo Heritage Taskforce (RWHT) / Australian Technology Park Conservation Management Plan Revision — Feedback Requested ASAP / Moveable Heritage at ATP & ATP S170 Heritage Register Overview Report / Darlington Pedestrian Cycling and Traffic Calming Plan Study Available - Goes to Council in Early 2010 / City of Sydney Darlington & Inner West Update / M5 Expansion into South Sydney – RTA requests feedback by 19 February 2009 / Premier keeps Redfern Waterloo Ministry / Redfern Waterloo Built Environment Plan Stage 2 (BEP2) Update November 2009 / Thinking about Redfern Station – some information due in early 2010 / RWA - Changes to the RWA Contributions Plan - Exhibition until 12 February 2010 / RWA - Draft Redfern Centre Urban Design Guidelines - Exhibition until 22 January 2010 / RWA News / Competing Proposals for a Community Website / Roll Up Redfern – RWA & Council working together to Encourage Redfern Waterloo Businesses / Channel 7, Pacific Magazines & Global Television move in January 2010 / ATP signs two-year sponsorship deal with Souths Football Club / University of Sydney still pushing for North Eveleigh / Redfern RSL - Response to Submissions & Preferred Project Report / National Centre for Indigenous Excellence News / Fraser’s Broadway – Projects moving ahead / Waterloo gets Aldi Approval & Redfern gets IGA Supermarket / Miller Films approved to go to CarriageWorks / Settlement has successful start to Fundraising / Redwater Markets – 3rd Saturday of Month Redfern Park / Survival Day SSH Fundraiser Harbour Cruise / Redfern Waterloo in the Media / South Sydney Herald December 2009 / South Sydney Herald November 2009 / South Sydney Herald October 2009 / Have your say – Summary of Current Consultations

In this Update:

Seasons Greetings from the Turnbull Family

Keep up to date between emails on the REDWatch website

RWA establishes Redfern Waterloo Heritage Taskforce (RWHT)

Australian Technology Park Conservation Management Plan Revision — Feedback Requested ASAP

Moveable Heritage at ATP & ATP S170 Heritage Register Overview Report

Darlington Pedestrian Cycling and Traffic Calming Plan Study Available - Goes to Council in Early 2010

City of Sydney Darlington & Inner West Update

M5 Expansion into South Sydney – RTA requests feedback by 19 February 2009

Premier keeps Redfern Waterloo Ministry

Redfern Waterloo Built Environment Plan Stage 2 (BEP2) Update November 2009

Thinking about Redfern Station – some information due in early 2010

RWA - Changes to the RWA Contributions Plan - Exhibition until 12 February 2010

RWA - Draft Redfern Centre Urban Design Guidelines - Exhibition until 22 January 2010

RWA News

Competing Proposals for a Community Website

Roll Up Redfern – RWA & Council working together to Encourage Redfern Waterloo Businesses

Channel 7, Pacific Magazines & Global Television move in January 2010

ATP signs two-year sponsorship deal with Souths Football Club

University of Sydney still pushing for North Eveleigh

Redfern RSL - Response to Submissions & Preferred Project Report

National Centre for Indigenous Excellence News

Fraser’s Broadway – Projects moving ahead

Waterloo gets Aldi Approval & Redfern gets IGA Supermarket

Miller Films approved to go to CarriageWorks

Settlement has successful start to Fundraising

Redwater Markets – 3rd Saturday of Month Redfern Park

Survival Day SSH Fundraiser Harbour Cruise

Redfern Waterloo in the Media

South Sydney Herald December 2009

South Sydney Herald November 2009

South Sydney Herald October 2009

Have your say – Summary of Current Consultations

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

Seasons Greetings from the Turnbull Family

We would like to take this opportunity to wish all our readers and colleagues our best wishes for Christmas and New Year. We hope that you have a safe and relaxing holiday season and that you will have a great 2010. Thank you for your support, ideas, information and suggestions over the year and we hope that you have found some of the information we have supplied of use in keeping up to date with Redfern Waterloo Issues.

Keep up to date between emails on the REDWatch website

We have had a few people say that they miss the more frequent RWIU’s this year. As mentioned in our last few RWIU we are sorry we can not get them out more frequently however you can keep up to date on what is happening in Redfern Waterloo by visiting the www.redwatch.org.au where the latest stories, events and information is being added as things happen. If you look at the website changes menu it will bring up all the changes on the site and you can easily check what has happened since you last visited. You can also set up an RSS feed to deliver the changes directly to your computer as they happen.

RWA establishes Redfern Waterloo Heritage Taskforce (RWHT)

The Minister for Redfern Waterloo Kristina Keneally has established a Redfern Waterloo Heritage Taskforce and it had its initial meeting on 8th December 2009. The Taskforce is a little different from what was requested by rail heritage groups in October 2008 in that it will deal with a wide range of Redfern Waterloo heritage issues and not just with the Eveleigh Railyards. Below the “core” Taskforce it is proposed to establish a number of working groups which will focus on particular projects such as a workers’ wall proposal; or documenting Aboriginal involvement in the Eveleigh site; or the formation of Aboriginal organisations in Redfern Waterloo. This structure will enable a wide range of people to both make proposals for projects and to become involved in working on projects of interest to them. It will also cater for rail heritage groups to put up their heritage proposals.

The “core” Taskforce is made up of representatives from the RWA, RailCorp, Heritage Office, Tourism NSW, Housing NSW and the City of Sydney. There will be four community representatives, Mary Lynne Pidcock (President of the Redfern Waterloo Chamber of Commerce), Geoffrey Turnbull (REDWatch) and two Aboriginal representatives are yet to be appointed. The RWA is currently looking for Expression of Interest for the Indigenous seats on Heritage Taskforce. The RWHT has also agreed to appoint a representative from the non-government heritage rail groups and discussions are currently underway to determine an agreed upon nominee.

The Taskforce & working groups will both endeavour to undertake immediate projects and document / research longer term proposals. The Taskforce will prepare a report for the Minister by the end of 2010 which will aim to document what has been achieved and what remains to be done. The Terms of Reference for the Taskforce and the call for projects / working groups will be found on the REDWatch website Redfern Waterloo Heritage Taskforce in the next few days when available from the RWA.

Australian Technology Park Conservation Management Plan Revision — Feedback Requested ASAP

Godden Mackay Logan (GML) held a public information session / consultation on 7th December 2009 as part of the revision of the Conservation Management Plan (CMP) for the ATP site. The letter of invitation circulated said: “It has been a number of years since a Conservation Management Plan was prepared for the site and previous plans have addressed the Locomotive Workshops building only. This new Conservation Management Plan would address the Australian Technology Park site as a whole, including its significant machinery, and would take into account the changes that have occurred to the site since most railway operations at Eveleigh closed in 1988”. The full text of the letter about the CMP revision can be read at Australian Technology Park—Conservation Management Plan—Feedback Requested.

GML is still looking for feedback from people with an interest in the ATP site to inform its preparation of the new CMP. They would ideally like this before Christmas but will also take feedback through January and throughout the CMP preparation. The new CMP will be exhibited when prepared. They are especially interested in why people consider ATP to be significant and what tangible and intangible components of the site are important. The Australian Technology Park - Conservation Management Plan - Consultation Feedback Form (PDF 302Kb) provides details of the areas on which GML is specifically seeking input. The current 1996 CMP can be found at the bottom of www.atp.com.au/heritage-and-history. It should be noted that an ATP section 170 register was approved by Heritage Office in November 2008 and an ATP Heritage Asset Management Strategy (HAMS) was endorsed by Heritage Office October 2008 and these both interact with the CMP revision.

Moveable Heritage at ATP & ATP S170 Heritage Register Overview Report

Recently some “Australian Technology Park Surplus Heritage Item … Identified for Disposal” tags and pink crosses appeared on some of the outdoor moveable heritage equipment at the ATP. This was the first that people were aware that decisions had been made about the future of ATP moveable heritage which it was expected would be dealt with under the ATP Conservation Management Plan revision.

Following the discovery of the tags we were informed that back in 2008 the RWA / ATP engaged Dr Maclaren North of Futurepast Heritage Consulting P/L to undertake a section 170 review of the ATP’s Heritage Holdings. Government agencies have responsibilities under Section 170 of the Heritage Act 1977 (NSW) to identify, conserve and manage heritage assets owned, occupied or managed by that agency. Included in the study was a review of the ATP’s moveable heritage management. This had previous been covered in 1996 by the Godden McKay Eveleigh Workshops Management Plan for Moveable Items and Social History. The Section 170 report was endorsed by the Heritage Office in November 2008 and has been publically available from the NSW Heritage Office since that time. Examination of the Heritage Council paper regarding the s170 application showed that the Heritage Council had recommended in 2008 that the ATP also place its s170 on their website. This had not happened up to the beginning of December 2009 and those concerned with Eveleigh Heritage were unaware of the 2008 s170 report or its recommendations until questions were asked about the items with “identified for disposal” tags.

We have now obtained a copy of the s170 report and a scanned copy is on the REDWatch website under ATP Eveleigh Moveable Items. The Heritage Council paper for the s 170 also shows that the Heritage Office had endorsed a Heritage Asset Management Strategy (HAMS) for the ATP on 1 October 2008. Its existence only became apparent when the Heritage Council papers on the s 170 were sighted. We have not sighted the ATP HAMS but the State Heritage Register Committee Meeting minutes of 1 October said of the HAMS – “The  SHRC commented particularly on ATP’s need to address the significant movable heritage collections currently located in Bay’s 1 & 2 of the Locomotive Workshop and the significance of these collections to the site and the State. While the HAMS has identified the significance and value of the movable collection, the SHRC identified the need to monitor the management of this collection.”

The s170 report was unable to locate at least 47 items from the 1996 Management Plan for Moveable Items which catalogued 219 heritage items and collections (there is an error in this table so we can not be sure of the actual figure). The s170 report includes a further 13 items from the 1996 list in the 43 items it identified for disposal. REDWatch has placed parts of the 1996 Management Plan for Moveable items on its website so people can read about the significance of these items and their condition when the 1996 Management Plan was undertaken. We have created a text index so people can find the relevant inventory sheets with details about the equipment. We have also added to the index the details of missing items and items recommended for disposal in the s170 report to this index. We understand that some items may have been moved to RailCorp owned land, and RailCorp and the RWA have been asked to compare s170 information to see if any of the missing items can be located. If you have any information about any of the missing items please pass the details on to the ATP and let us know so we can follow the information up.

Regarding the items with “Identified for Disposal” tags mentioned at the beginning of this item, these items are all identified for disposal in the s170 report. The report says “Depending on the nature of the item, disposal is recommended to be through offer to another institution, disposal through sale or disposal as scrap / rubbish”. Following media articles Australian rail heritage ‘travesty’ and Concern over future of heritage railway machinery about the pink crosses and the disposal tags the ATP issued an ATP Heritage Equipment Public Statement which made it clear “No heritage equipment has or is being thrown out. We are acting to ensure the valuable heritage in the ATP is being appropriately preserved, maintained and promoted”. The items identified by pink crosses are parts of the two identical Wheel Shop Pivot Cranes of which the s170 report says “Restore one example for external static display … dispose of other as scrap”. Both are supposed to be retained under the earlier CMP and Management Plan.

The ATP has advised that they have begun cleaning up the site near Henderson Road which will get the heritage items out of the weather. The containers with Heritage items have now been moved to North Eveleigh for sorting in the new year. The Wheel Shop Pivot Cranes will be picked up on 22nd December 2009 to go to the firm handling the refurbishment. The remaining items which were outside have been relocated to Bays 1 & 2 North. The ATP has prepared a statement on Heritage following their Board Meeting on 17 December 2009 but at the time this needed to be sent it had not been received. The ATP statement will appear under ATP Eveleigh Moveable Items and under “News Since the last RWIU” on the home page of www.redwatch.org.au as soon as we receive it.

Darlington Pedestrian Cycling and Traffic Calming Plan Study Available - Goes to Council in Early 2010

The Final Report for the Newtown, Erskineville, Camperdown and Darlington Pedestrian, Cycling and Traffic Calming Plan is now publically available. There was no report available to the community when the CoS put on exhibition its recommendations. Some pedestrian, cycling and traffic counts are available in the Final Technical Report as is a summary of the community comments and responses to those comments. The report was posted on the CoS website on Friday 11th  December as item 60 for the City of Sydney Traffic Committee meeting on 16th December and residents who had earlier expressed an interest were advised by email that they could attend the committee meeting and comment.

We are concerned about the way this consultation has been undertaken. How do a community forum and an exhibition to consider recommendations without the benefit of the technical report assist community input? How does a few days window just before Christmas allow people to digest the report, talk to neighbours and make a considered response? On the up side, Council has stopped meeting for the year so people who are around in January will have time to contact Councillors with any concerns they might have. The Council Officers’ Report to the Traffic Committee can be found at: Newtown Erskineville Camperdown And Darlington Pedestrian Cycling And Traffic Calming Plan | PDF 6Mb and the Final Technical Report can be found at: Final Tech Report - Newtown Erskineville Camperdown Darlington Pedestrian Cycling and Traffic | PDF 15Mb

Our major concern with what we have managed to read is with how the report deals with the Redfern to Sydney University High Priority pedestrian route. The study has the highest pedestrian movements along Lawson Street with weekday 8-9am at 2261 (south side) and 504 (north side) and 5-6pm being 1857 (south side) and 264 (north side). The study proposes on page 7:  As part of the development of the pedestrian network, alternative walking routes between Redfern Station and the University’s Darlington Campus have been identified, which involve Little Eveleigh Street, Wilson Street and Shepherd Street, as well as Ivy Street. Depending on which walking route is used, these alternatives will reduce crowding in Lawson Street and also in Abercrombie Street, if Wilson Street is used to Shepherd Street.:

The problem with the action proposed by the study is that it goes contrary to the pedestrian desire line between Redfern Station and USyd. The study expects pedestrians to follow the “U shaped” shared zone to by pass Lawson Street. This route is currently already available to pedestrians and has minimal impact on Lawson Street. The precise impact is not known as there were no pedestrian counts in the study for Little Eveleigh St which primarily services pedestrians coming towards the station from Wilson Street. In our experience students take the shortest distance between two points and will not take the proposed “scenic detour”. Having proposed the “U” shaped route as the solution, the study then does not further address the problem. We support the shared zone in Little Eveleigh for the pedestrian traffic that heads down Wilson Street as the footpaths are overgrown and not wide enough for pedestrian use. We note however BikeSydney’s objection to this shared zone because of the conflict between pedestrians and cyclists it creates. These conflicts need to be addressed by Council and the RTA all around Redfern Station where bikes, pedestrian and vehicular traffic all converge to cross the railway line.

We have suggested a number of complimentary strategies which may help address the problem but these do no not appear to have been seriously considered and we think they should be. These include sorting out pedestrian, bike and vehicular conflicts around Redfern Station, encouraging more people to use the Lawson Street northern footpath with a possible crossing at or to the south of Eveleigh Street; marked crossings along the pedestrian route, especially across Ivy Street and Little Eveleigh Street; maintenance along Lawson Street to allow maximum pedestrian peak capacity and minimising the impact of garbage bin collections on the pedestrian thoroughfare. We have suggested to the CoS Traffic Committee that it should request Council to undertake more work on the pedestrian route from Redfern Station to USyd and bring back the recommendations to the Traffic Committee.

We encourage those who use the pedestrian route from Redfern Station in the direction of USyd to make your suggestions to Councillors about the pedestrian route and on any other matters of concern from the final report and its recommendations. Some recent media stories about issues covered by the report include RTA says no to go-slow zone in response to the report’s proposal for 40km zones, J Sam’s letter Strange plans to block streets regarding the proposal to block Shepherd Street, and Small business leaders watch the parking meters which is about residential parking meters being introduced into Chippendale. This was also mooted for Darlington in the consultations.

City of Sydney Darlington & Inner West Update

Work on Charles Kernan Reserve will start in mid January 2010 and will continue for about five months. The work is being undertaken by Furnass Landscapes and more information about the upgrade can be found on the Council’s website under Charles Kernan Reserve Darlington or by contacting Michael Woolley on mwoolley@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au / phone 9265 9670 or Ian The on iteh@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au / phone 9246 7550.

On broader Council issues the council report on to the Inner West Community Forum November 2009 (PDF 6.2Mb) can be downloaded from the CoS website for more local information.

M5 Expansion into South Sydney – RTA requests feedback by 19 February 2009

The RTA is exhibiting initial plans for the expansion of the M5. While much of the attention will focus on the duplication of the M5 tunnel to increase capacity the proposal also includes a new two lanes in each direction link to Campbell Road at Sydney Park. This potentially brings more traffic through Redfern Waterloo via Euston Road which it joins at traffic lights. In the proposal the RTA admit that “The RTA would also look at the management of traffic, and possible traffic calming, in the residential areas north of Campbell Road.”

The new surface road follows the proposed corridor for the F6 (Southern Freeway) and proposes single lane ramps to provide access from this new road to Qantas Drive/Airport Drive. It is also located so it can link with the proposed Marrickville tunnel which is to link from near the proposed new road to the M4 to allow movement from the M4 to Port Botany. If the Marrickville tunnel is built the new road will provide the link between it and the M5 connection to the Port. Without the Marrickville tunnel it potentially sends M4 traffic via Campbell Road to Edgeware Road. Currently traffic from the M5 towards Redfern goes via Airport Drive and O’Riordan Street. It is not clear how this traffic is expected to be channelled from the new arterial without creating a more attractive route to the western part of the city through Redfern Waterloo which increases traffic on Gibbons and Regent Streets.

Details of the M5 new surface link are on a special RTA website accessed by www.m5corridorexpansion.com.au. As part of the consultation process the RTA is inviting initial submissions to help identify emerging issues to help scope the environmental assessments. Submissions can be made via the contact page on the website or by email to m5expansion@rta.nsw.gov.au or post to RTA, M5 corridor expansion, PO Box 609, Pyrmont NSW 2009. Submissions are advertised to close on 19 February 2010. There was quite an outcry about the lack of notification and the consultation happening over the holiday season at the public meeting held by Kristine Keneally’s office on 14 December so this might be extended. People should also copy their submissions to their local member so your local MP is also aware of your concerns. This is especially so if the submission deals with the need for broader transport options other than the RTA’s proposal.

Premier keeps Redfern Waterloo Ministry

New Premier Kristina Keneally retains the role of Minister for Redfern Waterloo in the new NSW Cabinet sworn in on 8th December 2009.  As the local Member for Heffron, which covers much of the Redfern Waterloo area, Kristina was previously the Minister for Redfern Waterloo as well as the Minister for Planning. The new Minister for Planning will be Tony Kelly. The Premier's decision to hold on to the Redfern Waterloo Ministry breaks the connection between it and the Planning Minister, who has always held the portfolio since the establishment of the RWA. Prior to the establishment of the RWA, Redfern Waterloo specific issues were handled by the Redfern Waterloo Partnership Project, a place management team which operated out of the Premier's Department.

The RWA's activities are guided by the Redfern Waterloo Plan which has Human Services, Employment and Enterprise components as well as Built Environment. In 2010 Housing NSW and the RWA will introduce phase two of the Built Environment Plan which deals with planning for the renewal of public housing in the area over the next 20-30 years. Many of the issues within Redfern Waterloo involve the need to improve co-ordination between different arms of government especially in human services. The retention of the role of Minister for Redfern Waterloo by the Premier not only means continuity, but should allow her to ensure greater co-ordination in government service delivery in the area and possibly some of the lessons learnt in improving human service delivery can be replicated around the state.

The Premier’s decision was reported in Central’s Premier to retain direct control over Redfern Waterloo with a further analysis in NSW Premier Keneally in the hot seat. For cabinet details see - www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/Prod/Parlment/Members.nsf/V3ListCurrentMinisters.

Redfern Waterloo Built Environment Plan Stage 2 (BEP2) Update November 2009

The Redfern Waterloo Authority and Housing NSW issued the Update below in November 2009. It appears to have only been handed around at the Redfern Neighbourhood Advisory Board information day on Saturday November 21st 2009. The leaflet contains a map showing the BEP2 study area. You can see the full text of the leaflet and the map at Redfern Waterloo Built Environment Plan Stage 2 (BEP2) Update November 2009. The leaflet makes some firm commitments as to how the consultation, expected in the early part of 2010, will be conducted. The leaflet says:

“Housing NSW and the RWA will be conducting a thorough consultation process. We want public housing residents and the broader community to tell us what they think about the plan and give us their ideas for the renewal of public housing areas in Redfern and Waterloo.

We will give you the information you need to comment on the BEP2. We will hold large and small consultation events so you can understand what's in the plan and how it might impact on you, and then ask for your feedback on what the plan proposes. We will hold sessions in the main community languages. There will be lots of opportunities to get information and to have your say.

We will then assess what you told us, and incorporate, where possible, the community's comments on the plan. We will give you feedback on how the plan may have changed and if community views could not be taken into account, why not.”

Housing NSW is also pointing towards the construction of new public housing homes on the site bounded by Phillip, Morehead, Kettle and Walker Streets in Redfern as an indication that renewal is already underway although this has earlier been separated out from the BEP2 process. Housing NSW also took some residents for an inspection tour of Minto to show what it had achieved there. After many delays, 2010 looks like the year of BEP2.

Thinking about Redfern Station – some information due in early 2010

The RWA Built Environment Ministerial Advisory Committee (BEMAC) was provided with a briefing in November by RailCorp on the issues surrounding the Redfern Station Upgrade. The RWA has advised that RailCorp will make available some details about its planning for Redfern Station in early 2010.  The BEMAC was told it will probably take 3 years before building started and another two to build it. The main problem with the station is the narrowness of the platforms particularly at the southern end. This means that the concourse needs to run more or less across the middle of the station with the ability for two flights of stairs coming off most platforms onto the concourse and provision for a lift. If all the platforms are linked across the middle then an unpaid public concourse can only be to the north or the south and cannot connect across the paid concourse. This problem can be seen in A 1995 Proposal for Redfern Station (50KB PDF). With the RWA buying the property in Little Eveleigh Street closest to the station, it is likely that the preferred proposal will be to have access from RWA purchased building in the west to near Marian Park on the east, remembering that the BEP provides for new buildings to be constructed on railway land to the east of the station. One of the problems with feeding the station from only one direction is that the other side is cut off from much of the activity. If the station entrance is to the south then this will impact adversely upon The Block, Redfern Street’s existing linkage and the location of the RWA’s proposed civic space at the station.

RWA - Changes to the RWA Contributions Plan - Exhibition until 12 February 2010

Draft amendments to the RWA Contribution Plan 2006 are on exhibition until 12 February 2010. The Draft Amendments cover: changes required as a result of legislative changes; changes as a result of the North Eveleigh Concept Plan approval; and further information on the application of planning agreements and material public benefit arrangements. The proposed changes, as well as an appreciated comparison between the existing and proposed plans, are available on the RWA website (half way down the page) at RWA - Changes to the RWA Contributions Plan - Exhibition until 12 February 2010.

RWA - Draft Redfern Centre Urban Design Guidelines - Exhibition until 22 January 2010

The Draft Redfern Centre Urban Design Guidelines which have been worked up with input from the RWA BEMAC and some community members are being exhibited to the public until 22nd January. You can access the guidelines on the RWA website at RWA - Draft Redfern Centre Guidelines - Exhibition until 22 January 2010.

RWA News

The RWA’s new email updates are coming out monthly and we encourage everyone to subscribe to them to keep up to date with the latest information being put out by the RWA. The RWA also produced a printed RWA Update in October. The past copies of these publications can be downloaded from the publications tab on www.redfernwaterloo.nsw.gov.au. The RWA has also continued to tidy up and streamline its website with further changes over the last couple of months. There is also some interesting information in the written answers to questions raised at NSW Legislative Council estimates hearings which can be read at Redfern Waterloo Estimates - Answers to Questions on Notice.

Competing Proposals for a Community Website

There has been discussion between various groups for sometime about a proposal to set up a Community website. The idea is to operate a site where a broad range of community organisations can post their own events, media releases and information about their programmes. The model for this is the Community Graphic Domain Names (www.aucd.org.au) which provides domain names like www.redfern.nsw.au. The idea is to have it as a community site rather than a service provided by one agency like REDWatch.

In recent discussions with the RWA we have learnt that the RWA is planning to include a community calendar on its site along with community information and the RWA is saying that when it winds down that the www.redfernwaterloo.com.au site name minus the RWA statutory content could be passed on to a community group for a community website. They see this as an alternative to setting up a community website now. REDWatch has discussed this proposal and believes that it would be far better if the RWA worked with community groups to set up a community managed and run site from the beginning rather than hand over what the RWA had developed further down the track to someone. The RWA proposal throws up issues of the differences between what might be acceptable to currently place on the RWA’s site and what a community site might be prepared to have posted. One clear difference in the discussion concerned media releases from community organisations. Many organisations put out media release to promote events and programmes. REDWatch thinks these would be legitimate on a community website whereas the RWA would prefer material to be limited to “factual” information about events. The RWA events could link for more information to organisations own websites for media releases etc. REDWatch’s concern is that many organisations do not have websites and where they do the website’s are often not easy to add news and event information.

We would be interested in the thoughts of community groups, sporting clubs etc on these issuers. We would be happy to send you a copy of the proposal Geoff floated with the RWA.

Roll Up Redfern – RWA & Council working together to Encourage Redfern Waterloo Businesses

It is encouraging to see the RWA, City of Sydney and the Redfern Waterloo Chamber of Commerce join forces to encourage businesses to ‘Roll Up’ and make the best of the opportunities coming to Redfern Waterloo. The three bodies have co-signed a RWA, Council & Chamber Letter to Redfern Waterloo Businesses to local businesses urging them to roll up their shutters and become involved. A second letter is due to go out to business tenants. The letters comes from a committee which, in addition to the three parties signing the letter, also includes South’s Football Club and REDWatch. Having a vibrant business community that serves the mix of people who live in the area is very important to the area’s future. The Roll Up Redfern Committee is also preparing a brief for a study to help identify how the area sees itself and how this could then help brand and promote the area. This follows on from the Council’s recommendations about revitalising Redfern and Waterloo retail strips. As can be seen in the South Sydney Herald article Rolling up the shutters and getting down to business there are a number of issues that the committee needs to address to get the shutters up. Most people however would also be keen to remove Redfern from the Central’s survey’s five most boring suburbs Sydney city ``most exciting’’ place to live: Community Pulse Survey.

Local businesses have been encouraged to gear up for the arrival of Chanel 7 with many making introductory offers available in the welcome pack prepared by the RWA. For the Rabbitohs Return to Redfern Match on Sunday 7 February 2010 South’s Football Club and Council and encouraging local businesses to make available special offers to those visiting Redfern for the match. Businesses opening on the Sunday will have access to Souths window decorations etc. If you are interested in the opportunity contact Liz Waser Council’s Business and Community Development Co-ordinator for Redfern, Waterloo and Green Square by phone on 02926 5980 or 0434 325 786 or email her at e.waser@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au.

Channel 7, Pacific Magazines & Global Television move in January 2010

The three anchor tenants of the “Channel 7” building arrive in January. While Channel 7 and Pacific Magazines are related media companies, Global Television makes shows and organises outside broadcasts for all major networks. Channel Seven have named the building “Media City”. Special arrangements are being made to direct new arrivals to their building from Redfern Station and to encourage the areas new workers to explore the area and its businesses. What will be more tricky will be directing audiences, who will start turning up in late January early February. These people will be arriving for the filming of shows that are not connected to Chanel 7 or Global Television  – they will not be looking for what many may refer to as the Channel 7 building so specific programme sigs from the station are being considered. One of the problems that will face those moving into the new building is that the canteens have not been completed so people will need to get meals and coffee outside the building. The RWA is looking at ways for local businesses to use this opportunity to promote their businesses. If you are interested in being involved contact the RWA.

The DA for the Place of Public Entertainment (POPE) has been readvertised and is currently being assessed by the RWA. Architectus, on behalf of Global Television Services and Channel 7, has advised that all marshalling of audiences will take place within the building and not outside it. It has also responded to a range of other issues raised in submissions. You can see the text of the clarification on the REDWatch website Clarification on C7 & Global TV Marshalling prior to entering ATP studios.

Following the SSH article Seven rates poorly with Alexandria residents the RWA has sort to clarify some of the issues raised by Alexandria residents in RWA responds to SSH regarding “Channel Seven rates poorly in Alexandria“. The RWA CEO, Roy Wakelin-King, has made a walk around Alexandria with some of those expressing concerns and on 15th December the RWA / ATP held a well attended public meeting during which many of the ATP’s Alexandria neighbours voiced their concerns. The RWA has undertaken to look into the concerns raised. If you would like to get further information from the ATP about the follow up to the meeting or if you want to raise any matter, contact ATP General Manager Chris Saunders on 92094431 during work hours. ATP Security can be contacted on any issues after hours on 9209 4666.

Among the issues raised was lack of notice about the changes to the building controls on the site, the light coming from the new building, parking impact during and post construction, as well as concerns about how movements of audiences and traffic from the site might impact on surrounding residents. Some of the concerns raised seem to have come about because Alexandria is outside the RWA area and hence they did not get RWA newsletters advising of the RWA planning changes and key events in the development of the site. Many residents say they did not get notification from the Department of Planning when the Project Proposal for the site was notified to adjoining land owners. The problems identified underlined the importance of making sure that all residents in the surrounding area that are likely to be impacted by a development are kept advised of what it being proposed.

ATP signs two-year sponsorship deal with Souths Football Club

The Australian Technology Park on 13 November 2009 entered into a two-year agreement to sponsor local community service provider Souths Cares, as well as to take on the naming rights to the Australian Technology Park Performance Centre at Redfern Oval and become a senior partner of the South Sydney Rabbitohs. ATP signage will appear at the Australian Technology Park Performance Centre at Redfern Oval and at South Sydney Rabbitohs’ home games. In addition select South Sydney Rabbitohs’ events will be held in the Redfern-Waterloo community at the Australian Technology Park. For full details see the Rabbitohs’ media release Australian Technology Park signs two-year sponsorship deal with Souths Cares and Australian Technology Park Performance Centre at Redfern Oval. The NSW Government announced in its mini budget in 2008 that the state government would sell a 99 year lease over the ATP. This will probably be completed during the life of this agreement.

University of Sydney still pushing for North Eveleigh

In the written answers to Questions raised at estimates hearings Redfern Waterloo Estimates - Answers to Questions on Notice Minister Keneally advised that: “The Government has received a number of unsolicited expressions of interest both formal and informal for the North Eveleigh site, including from the University of Sydney. The University of Sydney has written to the NSW Government formally expressing its interest in the site. The Government is currently giving consideration as to how the site may be sold. This includes consideration of the current market conditions. This process is currently under consideration by NSW Cabinet.”

There is still no news from the Government or Sydney University about North Eveleigh. Lending support to Sydney Uni’s ongoing interest in land for student housing were two SMH articles about Unis push for land to build student housing and Wanted: housing for uni students. For the history of earlier Darlington / Sydney Uni battles you might find South Sydney Herald’s interview with Bev Hunter in Darlington resists the Uni push of interest.

Redfern RSL - Response to Submissions & Preferred Project Report

The Department of Planning has made available the responses from the Redfern RSL site developer to submissions from the public exhibition. The developer’s Preferred Project Report incorporates changes following public comment, as well as submissions from bodies such as the RWA, Department of Planning and the City of Sydney. The Department of Planning is currently assessing the project. You can see the comments from the exhibition and the Preferred Project report on the DoP website under Public Files – Response to Submissions at Redfern RSL: MP09_0039 - Mixed Use Development, Redfern RSL, Gibbons Street, Redfern.

National Centre for Indigenous Excellence News

If you have walked past the old Redfern Public School recently you will have noticed that building work is almost complete on the NCIE. The Department of Planning approved on 16 October 2009 the Modification Application for the National Centre for Indigenous Excellence to operate the Gym from 6am rather than the earlier approved 7am for a one year trial. The Assessment and the Conditions attached to the Approval can be seen on the DoP website at ‘Former Redfern Public School: Extension of Operating Hours (Multi-Purpose Sports and Recreation Building.

The NCIE has continued to put out electronic newsletters about the project which you can download from www.ncie.org.au/news/ncie-news.html. In other news Minister for Employment Participation Mark Arbib confirmed $477,000 in Federal funding for the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence to employ an Indigenous Employment Co-ordinator and deliver training. For further details see the media release Federal Govt supports Indigenous Employment at NCIE with $477,000. The South Sydney Herald also ran National Centre part of Redfern renaissance, says CEO.

Fraser’s Broadway – Projects moving ahead

Fraser’s Broadway provided an update to residents recently at the Inner West Community Forum. Fraser’s are pushing through with their Project Applications and work looks set to commence on the new development with minimal impact from the international financial crisis. The current state of applications for the Carlton United Breweries Site on the Department of Planning website are as follows:

MP07_0163 (Mod 3) - Remediation and Transitional Works Approved - 17/11/2009 Determination

MP 09_0078 - Construction of a Mixed Use Residential, Commercial and Retail Building on Block 2   Proponent Reviewing Submissions

MP 09_0041 - Block 5 Residential Development   Proponent Reviewing Submissions

MP 09_0042 - Excavation and Construction of Basements for Blocks 2, 5 and 9   Proponent Reviewing Submissions

MP 08_0253 - Blocks 1 and 4 (cnr Abercrombie / Broadway)   Proponent Reviewing Submissions

MP 08_0210 - Main Park and Related Infrastructure   Assessment

The SMH reported on the close of the Abercrombie on the former Carlton United Brewery site to make way for the new development in It's last drinks at the Abercrombie and punters raise a toast. The last Uber Lingua party at the Abercrombie EVER!! is this Saturday night – 19th December from 9pm ... If you¹ve ever considered coming, or not been for a while, this is your last chance.

Waterloo gets Aldi Approval & Redfern gets IGA Supermarket

Supermarkets continued in the local news. The Waterloo Aldi and the IGA in the South’s building have been approved by Council, while debate still continues in Erskineville about Council’s approval there. Much of the focus has been around the IGA approval due to its proximity to South’s Leagues Club and its pokies. Much of the reporting has been blurred by people not understanding that the Leagues Club no longer owns the building where they were previously located. The Leagues Club needed to sell that building to remain solvent and was purchased by a developer and the owners of the South’s Football Club. Like the RSL club development, South’s Leagues Club will end up with a floor in the new building along with the IGA, South Football club and other tenants. Neither the Football Club nor its owners control the Leagues Club which is a totally separate entity with a board responsible to its own members. The Leagues Club argues that to be viable it currently needs to have poker machines but if someone can come up with a way that the club can be viable and serve its members without poker machines then it is prepared to consider it. The Leagues’ Club Chairman told the Redfern Waterloo Chamber of Commerce breakfast in 17 December that the Leagues Club expects to open with poker machines in 2010 but may dispose of them if a viable alternative business plan can be developed.

Other media about the supermarket issue including the Daily Telegraph’s How bread loaf could save Souths club without poker machines, the SMH’s Souths gambles future on promise of pokie-free club, Central’s Super battle over South Sydney supermarkets and Supermarket Approved, City News’ Crunch time for Waterloo supermarket and Redfern-Waterloo supermarket DAs approved and South Sydney Herald’s Supermarket and pokies “socially irresponsible”. The South Sydney Herald also reported Erskineville split over new supermarket and most recently Friends of Erskineville have written to Clover Moore claiming that they have advice that decision to approve their supermarket was in error.

Miller Films approved to go to CarriageWorks

The DA for Miller Films to set up at CarriageWorks has been approved by the RWA and the move has been reported in the Daily Telegraphs Mad Max 4: Fury Road gets green light; Sam Worthington tipped to star and the SMH’s Miller films to move into CarriageWorks. We understand that the Miller move into CarriageWorks does not close off the possibility for a higher intensity use of the site as an income stream to support CarriageWorks and that further development of the income producing part of the site is proposed to be looked at in a couple of years time.

Settlement has successful start to Fundraising

You may recall in the last update we urged people to Vote for The Settlement in Marrickville funding competition. The issue was also picked up by some other papers including in Central’s Praise & Brickbats. Well the results are just in for the $300,000 for Marrickville Community Projects and we are pleased to pass on that The Sydney University Settlement secured $47,357 towards redeveloping The Settlement Neighbourhood Centre Building. This was the largest of the grants given in the Marrickville electorate. The Settlement is raising funds to do major work on their building – more details can be found at http://thesettlement.org.au .

Their fundraising has been greatly helped by the $100,000 they received from Queensland mining magnate, Peter Bond as part of the ‘Secret Millionaire’ TV programme which was reported also in SSH’s Funding for young mums, swim and dance lessons? The Secret Millionaire publicity has also lead to Corey Brown and Hugh Bowman meeting the kids at The Settlement and announcing that proceeds from the NSW Jockeys' Calendar will be donated to The Settlement as reported in Jockeys with the hearts of Phar Lap and Top rider throws support behind calendar. The Settlement needs to raise about $800.000 to cover the cost of the work covered by their Development Approval.

Redwater Markets – 3rd Saturday of Month Redfern Park

REDWATER Community Market are held at Redfern Park between 8am and 4pm on the 3rd Saturday of the month. These community markets are sponsored by the City of Sydney as part of a local community action plan and are organised by the Housing Communities Program (HCP) at the Factory Community Centre, in partnership with Surry Hills Neighbourhood Centre and others. All monies raised from the stallholder-fees for the markets are injected back into supporting local environmental community projects such as the Waterloo Recycling Workshop. As the market is part of local community action on climate change, the focus of the market (not exclusively) is on sustainable goods, which are handmade, recycled, or second hand, and is environmental friendly. This is to assist in the reduction of waste strategies of the City Council. However all goods sold must be of reasonably high quality. Markets will be held on 19 December 2009, 16 January 2010 and 20 February 2010. The South Sydney Herald covered the markets in Promising start for markets in the park.

Survival Day SSH Fundraiser Harbour Cruise

The SSH invites their readers on a harbour cruise aboard the Deerubbun for a unique Australia/Survival Day experience on January 26. After the success of last year’s event this year they have decided to repeat this fundraiser for the South Sydney Herald. For bookings contact Trevor Davies on 0400 008 338 or email trevrssh@bigpond.net.au before 15 January 2010. The cruise is from 5-9pm with an on board BBQ and soft drinks cost $70 waged / $60 unwaged.

Redfern Waterloo in the Media

There has been a lot of Redfern Waterloo stories in the media. On the development side Roy Wakelin-King Letter to Central 14 October 2009                                                     responded to Central’s assessment of the RWA’s progress to date, the SMH reported Redfern's ready for its close-up as developers set sights on the fringe, and that Council was considering selling $30 million worth of prime inner-city real estate to developers who will build affordable housing in Choice sites for cheaper housing. Controversy continued in $5b metro counting on ghost passengers where many passengers are no longer expected to change at Redfern but rather go to Central to change to the new Metro.

There was a brief mention of the celebration of Col James's lifetime achievements in social housing in Central’s Winds of Change, Father Chris Riley’s ‘Youth off the Streets’ charity’s Key College is moving into Little Eveleigh Street for two years according to City News’ As one door closes… and the “Village to Village” shuttle bus will expand next year to help fill the transport gap created when Sydney Buses cut the Elizabeth Bay loop from the 311 according to New bus for E-Bay loop?

Central covered the Kinchela plan for healing, Larissa Behrendt’s novel launched by Germaine Greer and Str8 Ballaz un-rap their true talent. Village Voice covered Jack Manning Bancroft being named the NSW Young Australian of the Year for his work establishing the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience in Jack Manning Bancroft Aims for the top and the ABC news reported on More businesses interested in Indigenous Enterprise Partnerships. Mark Spinks wrote about the benefits from the walking group in It's NOT Just ' moving your feet and the Daily Telegraph reported South Sydney winger Nathan Merritt overjoyed after being named in Aboriginal All-Star team and they looked at him growing up in Redfern. Central also promoted the PCYC Redfern Fight Night featuring Redfern LAC Police Commander Luke Freudenstein.

South Sydney Youth Services and the Urban Dance Centre run a program titled Chance to Dance and it received some publicity through the South Sydney Herald and Central. The Eveleigh Markets continued to get good coverage following their award by the SHM as the best markets in articles like To Market, To Market. CarriageWorks continued to get good publicity through events from performance Space and others such as EVENT: 1 HOUSE=1000 HOMES and Green thumbs up for Kitchen Garden while in 2010 Canon shows off top shots - 9 January and 14 January 2010 CarriageWorks.

Meanwhile Police continued to tackle drugs on The Block in Nine charged in Redfern drug raid and to close down Rave parties Alexandria rave scuttled.

South Sydney Herald December 2009

Articles from the December 2009 issue of the South Sydney Herald (www.southsydneyherald.com.au) that relate to Redfern Waterloo have been placed on the REDWatch website and include the Settlements visit from Secret Millionaire Peter Bond in Funding for young mums, swim and dance lessons?,  the RWA responds to SSH regarding “Channel Seven rates poorly in Alexandria“, South Sydney Community Transport’s 30th anniversary Thirty years and still transporting and New Centrelink officers to help the homeless. In Rolling up the shutters and getting down to business SSH looks at some retailers response, National Centre part of Redfern renaissance, says CEO looks at the imminent opening of the NCIE. The federal Governments Powering Ideas launch at ATP is covered in Flair, initiative and perseverance at the ATP as is ATP signs sponsorship deal with Souths. SSH also talks to Peter Holmes à Court and others in Supermarket and pokies “socially irresponsible”, the new homelessness initiative is covered in Building on Common Ground, the Australian Crossword Club in Looking for clues at the Cauliflower and Darlington schools’ Halloween fate in What instrument does a skeleton play?. Darlington long time resident Bev Hunter remembers some of the areas history in Darlington resists the Uni push, Local MP Kristina Keneally in her advertisement tells constituents about the New Bus Service to City and North Shore while Have you heard? - The fast news with Trevor Davies - December 2009 covers Surry Hills Festival returning to Crown Street and the importance of our Living heritage in the long time residents who live around us.

South Sydney Herald November 2009

Articles from the November 2009 issue of the South Sydney Herald (www.southsydneyherald.com.au) that relate to Redfern Waterloo have been placed on the REDWatch website and include Seven rates poorly with Alexandria residents (see also the RWA response in November), Indigenous school in Redfern presbytery, Erskineville split over new supermarket and “I expect the highest standards …” An interview with NSW Premier Nathan Rees (Part 2). The Food Distribution Network is covered in Promoting health and independence as is the Factory’s Promising start for markets in the park at Redfern Park. In Small business leaders watch the parking meters Chippendale business owners react to the introduction of parking meters, Councils traffic plans for Darlington are covered in the letter Strange plans to block streets and Kristina Keneally uses her advertisement to cover Eveleigh Markets Declared Best in Sydney. The SSH looks at Yaama Dhiyaan and Aunty Beryl’s three-word dictionary, one of Yaama recent students being supported by PCYC in Start the day the short course way and the appointment of the NCIE youth panel in Indigenous youth to advise on excellence. SSH introduced Phillip Black as the newly-elected Deputy Lord Mayor of Sydney in New Deputy Lord Mayor’s agenda, while Running for Pemulwuy – the rundown reported on the SSH fundraiser for the Pemulwuy Project and in Have you heard? - The fast news with Trevor Davies – November 2009 Trevor covered a number of local news items.

South Sydney Herald October 2009

When we did the last RWIU we did not have the SSH articles from the October 2009 issue of the South Sydney Herald (www.southsydneyherald.com.au) on the REDWatch website. Here is a belated rundown. The SSH covered “You want a place that’s vibrant, you want a place that’s safe” - Interview with Nathan Rees (Part 1), the RTA response to the Councils proposal for 40km zones was RTA says no to go-slow zone and Kristina Kennelly’s add covered NSW Govt Affordable Housing. Other stories included South Sydney pets meet volunteer vets, Plot for community garden in Erskineville and Four easy ways to wreck your terrace. The SSH also talked to long time Darlington resident and ward of the state Carol McDonald – a remarkable survivor, they reviewed the new play from Redfern Waterloo’s Older and Wiser Festival in Elderflowers (a reading) By Alana Valentine and covered the push for improved community worker wages in Community workers ask Government to pay up. Chance to Dance reports on the not-for-profit organisation Urban Dance Centre in Glebe’s work in the area, there was a Setback on road to Pemulwuy, the usual local news in Have you heard? - The fast news with Trevor Davies – October 2009 and the news that about 400 people are sleeping rough in the inner city each night in How many homeless?

Have your say – Summary of Current Consultations

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