ICAC is looking into the appointment of two senior staff made by Robert Domm when he was chief of the Redfern Waterloo Authority.
Mr Domm had been appointed by former Planning Minister Frank Sartor in 2004 after he left the his position as General manager of City of Sydney Council after relations with councillors soured. He later took on the role of CEO of the Australian Technology Park as well before leaving both positions late last year to head the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority.
During the hearing Greens MP Sylvia Hale asked both the Minister for Planning and Redfern Waterloo, Kristina Keneally, and the current chief of RWA, Roy Wakelin-King, about the allegations which were contained in a letter sent to Ms Keneally last year.
A letter containing similar allegations was sent to Premier Nathan Rees’ Office in February this year. Both were signed off with “RWA staff”.
They alleged Mr Domm appointed two unqualified associates from his days as general manager of City of Sydney Council to senior management positions without a proper recruitment process.
The two appointees were Peter Vladeta to the role of general manager of the RWA and Chris Saunders who was made general manager of the Australian Technology Park.
In a section of the letter read out during the committee hearing by Ms Hale, the unknown author alleged, “blatant political nepotism by former RWA-CEO Robert Domm”.
Mr Domm said he had not yet been made aware of the events in yesterday’s hearing but denied the claims made in the letters.
“I have no comment other than to say I have done nothing wrong and have nothing to answer for,” he said.
Neither Ms Keneally or Mr Wakelin-King would confirm if the two appointments followed legal recruitment procedures for public servants or if the roles were publicly advertised.
“The questions you are asking relate to activities that would have occurred either before I became the Minister or before Mr Wakelin-King became the chief executive officer,” Ms Keneally told the hearing.
“We have referred them to the ICAC and, as Mr Wakelin-King has indicated, there is an investigation under way and it would be inappropriate for him to comment until that is concluded.”
During the hearing Ms Hale pressed Mr Wakelin-King for an explanation about why Mr Vladeta’s contract had been terminated last year and if he had received a payout.
Mr Wakelin-King told the committee that the termination was “part of the overall reductions in relation to SES positions that occurred at the end of last year.”
He was unable to say if Mr Vladeta had received a payout and took the question on notice.
Source: http://sydney-central.whereilive.com.au/news/story/ex-rwa-boss-investigated-for-corruption-by-icac/
The Enquiry Transcript can be downloaded from the NSW Parliament website http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/Prod/parlment/committee.nsf/0/a1b9ec57a541c7c4ca257633007c8d2f/$FILE/090916%20Planning,%20Redfern%20Waterloo.pdf File is 203 KB - Questions covering Redfern can be found on pages 23-26, 28 & 48-50.
]]>Questions were raised at the media conference about funding for the project. The approval of the Concept Plan means certainty that the approved project can be built and the AHC can now commence discussions with potential funding bodies, financiers and building partners.
It is important to remember that the AHC had to separate out the Concept Plan Approval from any possible funding arrangements as the State Government was using the possibility of Government funding strings to try and influence what was to be built on the block.
Now the concept plan has been approved then discussions can commence about funding support and commercial financing.
The impasse of the last several years over what the NSW Government will allow to be built on the Block is now officially over.
For the AHC the challenge now is to make the project a reality.
You can read the Minister's media release Pemulwuy Project to Breathe new life into the Block and also the media release from Clover Moore City welcomes Pemulwuy project.
The Director General's Report.pdf 4.484 MB and the Instrument of Approval.pdf 842.8 KB can be downloaded from the http://majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au/index.pl?action=view_job&job_id=1177
Media reports on the story can be found at:
]]>
Why? Because the Council was concerned that the Aldi in St. Peters would compete with the retail centre at Green Square – not yet built, and 4 kms away from the proposed store.
I support the Green Square Town Centre, but South Sydney residents do not have many choices when it comes to grocery stores. This means people living in Redfern and Waterloo pay higher prices or travel farther to buy food.
The proposed store is at 863-871 Bourke Street, between Phillip and Danks Streets.
I support increasing grocery stores in South Sydney. More choice means lower prices – a particular benefit in an area with high density of both public and private rental housing.
I also encourage you to let the Council know about your views on the proposed IGA supermarket in Redfern, at the new Souths Leagues Club. This proposal has recently completed exhibition and will soon go to Council for consideration.
A submission to the Council can be as simple as stating your view that South Sydney needs more grocery stores, or can address whatever issues you wish.
You can see the proposal for the Aldi store at the City of Sydney website, www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au and click on “Development”, or you can call 9265 9333 to find out where to view the proposals.
You can send your views to the Council officer handling the application, Mr Luke Murtas, lmurtas@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au or via post at City of Sydney, GPO Box 1591, Sydney NSW 2001.
Kind regards
The Hon Kristina Keneally MP
Council link is: www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/Development/DAsOnExhibition/details.asp?tpk=917293
]]>“Sometimes you get put on a horse you never expected to be on, as the local MP, Planning Minister and the Minister for Redfern Waterloo I have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to change things – and we are going to do it,” Ms Keneally told the gathering.
The challenges confronting Redfern and Waterloo public housing estates are myriad, serious and will require long term solutions say community groups and welfare organisations in the area.
The most pressing worry for residents is safety, with almost every speaker at the meeting expressing serious concerns about safety – both on the grounds of housing estates and inside the buildings.
One Waterloo resident said he was afraid to even go into his own building after an alleged violent attack in which he was left with a permanent leg injury and another incident where a fire was lit outside his door.
“I’m scared, I’m really, really scared,” the resident said.
“I want to live in peace and I can’t understand what’s going on here anymore.”
Other residents complained of people drinking in the parkland on the estates, constant vandalism, drug use and dealing and people other than residents entering the buildings and engaging in antisocial behaviour. According to Ms Keneally a number of projects were underway already – including a massive injection of Federal Government money for the repair of public housing in inner Sydney.
“There’s $3.8 million from the Federal Government going into Redfern Waterloo to upgrade over 1400 homes,” she said.
The money is part of a $9.2 million package for Inner Sydney for improvements to more than 3100 homes including new carpet, painting, plumbing and electrical repairs.
NSW Housing Minister David Borger and Federal Housing Minister Tanya Plibersek said the spending was to improve public housing and increase available accommodation as well as to stimulate the local economy through the employment of local tradesmen.
At Waterloo Green a landscaping plan that would improve safety and the amenity of the grounds, largely through the removal of more than a hundred trees, was also on the way.
Strategies to remove and report graffiti the moment it appears and a safety audit action plan involving the Department of Housing and Redfern police were also ongoing. Social worker Michael Shreenan from the Factory Community Centre in Waterloo said since a change in command at Redfern police last year safety in the area had improved.
“The whole perception of an increased police presence makes a big difference,” he said. “If you increase patrols, which has happened, it acts as a deterrent and people feel safer.”
Mr Shreenan said a co-operative approach between the housing department, Ms Keneally, residents and police was the only way to solve problems in the housing estates.
Resident precinct spokesman Ross Smith said the new spending was welcome but questioned the delivery of other improvements such as the action plan for reducing crime.
“The audit that formed the Waterloo Green Action Plan was first undertaken in late 2007 over 18 months ago and we are still talking about these issues now,” he said.
Also see in the same issue Head to Head
]]>North Eveleigh Concept Plan approved
New CEO Roy Wakelin-King writes
All Blacks basketball teams are winners
Eveleigh Market is open for business
The Coloured Digger Project – ANZAC Day 2009
Housing NSW Redfern Redevelopment Project: 106 houses and 20 jobs
Congratulations Allana! RWA’s frst trade qualifed carpenter
On the tools and in the classroom
Factory Community Centre: 30 years – still going strong
Koori Job Ready Course in warehousing and storage
Rohan Tobler honoured at ACTU Awards
New sport and recreational services in Redfern
The Concept Plan provides for a mixed use precinct for living, working, recreation and will offer affordable housing for key workers in the area, such as teachers, nurses and police.
The site will be taken to market in 2009 and developed over the next five to seven years and will accommodate residential, commercial, retail cultural and community uses as well as public open space.
The concept plan proposes:
The Carriage Workshop building currently occupied by the Ministry of Arts – Performing Arts Centre and the Anna Schwartz Gallery will continue to be used for cultural/community and commercial purposes.
The concept plan was informed by extensive public and community consultation resulting in increases in the provision of public open space including pocket parks, a large park at the site’s western end and increased provision of child care places.
The $550 million redevelopment will create approximately 6,500 jobs including 3,300 construction jobs with 300 of these positions being for Aboriginal people. Approximately 3,000 permanent jobs will be created from the commercial, retail and cultural development of the site.
The redevelopment will also help fund an upgrade to the Redfern Railway Station, promoting public transport use for existing and future residents and workers.
Follow the links on the RWA website to download the North Eveleigh Concept Plan. www.redfernwaterloo.com.au
I am delighted to have been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Redfern Waterloo Authority and I am committed to build on the work that has already been achieved by this organisation in partnership with the key stakeholders in the community.
In the short time I have been with the RWA, I have witnessed the diversity and strength of the local community and the organisations that serve it.
I have already met with a number of individuals, groups and service providers to find out how the RWA can continue to work together with this community to achieve the best results possible.
This has provided me with constructive and thoughtful feedback that I will consider in the future delivery of the RWA's objectives.
I intend to continue meeting with residents, businesses and stakeholders on an ongoing basis to ensure that this communication remains open and effective. l was pleased to be able to attend the Redwatch meeting on 5 March 2009 with the Minister for Planning and Redfern-Waterloo to hear first hand some of the issues of interest and concern to , the community.
The RWA will continue to be focussed on creating a vibrant and safe community through urban renewal, improved human services, training and job creation for the residents of Redfern and Waterloo.
We will continue to work collaboratively with other State Government agencies, and Federal and Local Government organisations to implement the Redfern Waterloo Built Environment, Human Services and Employment and Enterprise Plans.
Through the dedication of the RWA staff, the ongoing support of our community and the continued partnerships with both Government and Non-government organisations hope to continue to deliver improved outcomes for the Redfern Waterloo area.
I look forward to working with you and for you.
All Blacks basketball teams are winners
The Under 10’s Mixed team won their Grand Final by 1 point. The Under 12’s Boys had a sensational season being undefeated in all but one game and winning their Grand Final by 10 points! The Under 12’s Girls were runners up and showed true sportsmanship throughout their game.
The All Blacks Sports Club is made up of a number of dedicated people providing coaching and management in a voluntary capacity. It is through their support that these wonderful results are being achieved.
To find out more about the All Blacks Basketball Teams contact Cathie Burgess on burgoclevo@yahoo.com.au
Photo: The All Blacks Under 12’s finished as runners up – a great effort.
Trading commenced at 8am in the custom-renovated railway workshop at the historic Eveleigh Railyards at 243 Wilson St, Darlington (near Sydney University and adjacent to CarriageWorks performance space).
Shoppers with an appetite for locally grown farm fresh produce sold by the grower filled their baskets with saltbush lamb, organic beef, free range eggs and poultry, honey, new season olive oils, an array of seasonal vegies and stonefruit, goats cheese, artisan bread, shellfish, roasted nuts and baked goods. Keen home gardeners bought vegetable seedlings and potted herbs, and there will be wine for tasting and sale from several small family wineries from the NSW Hunter Valley and Hillstops regions.
Each Saturday one lucky market goer will win a $100 food hamper by registering at the Market Information Stand.
The undercover venue provides an all weather market where the public can enjoy meeting the people who directly make the wide range of produce.
On Sunday 1 March 2009 the first Eveleigh Artisans Market was held. This monthly market will showcase a diverse and exciting collection of high quality art, design, ceramics, glass, home wares, fashion, craft, toys, clothing and indigenous artwork created by local artists and designers.
In addition to the artisan stalls, there will be a café, food stalls, fresh coffee and flowers.
Eveleigh Markets will also be developing new market opportunities with wine and brewery markets, children’s markets and gardening and homewares market.
The markets are proving popular with young families and the Artisan’s Market has creative tables for children to create works that will be displayed on the walls of the market.
Eveleigh Farmers’ Market Every Saturday, 8am-1 pm
Eveleigh Artisans’ Market First Sunday of the month – 10am-4pm.
For further information about the Eveleigh Market, please contact Denny Hall on 9209 4220 or 0413 888 003 d.hall@atp.com.au or visit www.eveleighmarket.com.au
The Redfern ANZAC Day event allows the local community to acknowledge the service and sacrifice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Diggers. The occasion also highlights the need for greater recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander servicemen and servicewomen in official commemorative ceremonies and in public memorials.
The street march will start from The Block at 1.00pm and will proceed to Redfern Park for the commemorative service at 1.45pm. Transport is being provided for those unable to march but wish to travel with the marchers.
Following the commemorative service there will be an informal gathering and refreshments as well as a “Yarn Tent” where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ex-servicemen and servicewomen along with their family members will be telling their stories. There will be a photographic exhibition and other memorabilia of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander military service on display as well.
A range of traditional and contemporary cultural performances will also be part of the day’s activities.
The Coloured digger Project ANZAC day event is proudly supported by many organisations including the City of Sydney, the Damien Minton Gallery in Redfern, Babana Aboriginal Men’s Group and the RWA.
The organisers of the Redfern ANZAC day March and commemorative service are seeking the community’s advice on what they would like to see for future ANZAC day events to make sure that the needs and wishes of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community are met.
To provide comments or to fnd out more about the Coloured digger Project please contact the Coloured digger Project Co-ordinator, Pastor Ray Minniecon on 0412 929 702 or raymin@bigpond.net.au
Housing NSW in partnership with the RWA has created 20 positions for Aboriginal people on the Phillip Street, Redfern redevelopment through the RWA’s Indigenous Employment Model.
The redevelopment will provide 106 new social housing dwellings, designed to set new benchmarks in social housing in terms of functional, social, architectural and environmental perspectives. Building work is anticipated to commence by April 2009 with construction due for completion in early 2011.
The Indigenous Employment Model has now brokered employment opportunities for over 250 Aboriginal people in the construction industry.
The Model was developed by the RWA in 2005 as part of their urban renewal and job creation strategies to ensure that the creation of employment opportunities for Aboriginal people in the construction industry would be successful.
The Model makes it easy for organisations to employ Aboriginal trainees and apprentices, through the RWA recruiting, providing pre-apprenticeship training and valuable mentoring support.
Allana completed a construction carpentry apprenticeship through My Gateway and has worked for St Hilliers Construction, Bovis Lend Lease and Hansen Yuncken.
Her achievement was recognised at the graduation ceremony of the RWA’s Koori Job Ready Course in Construction in December 2008.
The RWA congratulates Allana on gaining her qualification and achieving her goals.
Photo: Adam Farmer, Les Tobler, Allana Varga, Denny Hall and Terry Kelly celebrate Allana’s success.
With Head Teacher of the Course Ryan Jackson and other qualified tradesmen they are working together to provide the students with the training needed to get a start in the construction industry.
The Koori Job Ready Course in Construction is run over 8 weeks, Monday to Friday 8am2.30pm. The subjects covered include Occupational, health & Safety (Induction Card), Carpentry, Formwork, Plastering, Concreting, Bricklaying, Scaffolding and Forklift Operations.
Rohan is a qualified carpenter with 11 years experience in the industry. his role with the RWA now sees him teaching, placing the students in jobs and apprenticeships in the construction industry and providing ongoing mentoring support.
The next Information day about the course is being held on Tuesday 14 April, 10am at the Yaama Dhiyaan Training Centre, 255 Wilson Street, Darlington.
For further information about the Information Day contact Rohan on 0414 137 816 or Terry Kelly on 9202 9100.
Photo: Rohan shares his knowledge and experience with a student.
Over the last 30 years, it has delivered a range of projects and programmes for the benefit of the Waterloo and Redfern community and surrounds.
The agency is an experienced direct service provider, and is managed by a local resident’s management committee with an experienced professional staff team. It is a central hub for other essential local organisations and grass root community groups operating in the area.
Recently described in the media as a “Community Icon”, The Factory delivers quality, equitable, relevant services, and is service ‘user-driven’.
The Factory’s mission statement is to assist in the relief of poverty, sickness, suffering, distress, misfortune, destitution or helplessness, by fostering the growth of community life.
At The Factory you will find the recently established Barnardos learning Centre, Yurungai, a home work program for Aboriginal children and their families. The Factory also manages the highly regarded Poets Corner Pre-School in Redfern, and is a partner with local organisations in other early childhood activities.
The Factory offer a community support and advocacy service, funded by the NSW department of Community Services, which offers independent and impartial advice on a range of issues from housing, money management, assistance with form filling, and wide range of lifestyle needs & issues.
The Factory auspices the Redfern/ Waterloo housing NSW Communities Program which employs a Community development Worker, resourcing local community groups and residents to assist them have a say in local decision making and community planning issues. The program supports long standing community groups such as the Neighbourhood Advisory Boards, Waterloo Green Safety Action group, Redwaternews, and others.
Other groups based at The Factory include
Centre staff facilitates a variety of leisure and health activities and are involved in local projects such as the annual ‘Summer on the Green’ celebration, Volunteer Awards, Public & Performance Art, such as the ‘Older and Wiser’ project. This year they are running program events to mark International Year of Astronomy entitled “You are a Star” with their many critical partner agencies.
The Factory is currently undergoing refurbishment and improving its disability access, which includes a new community kitchen, new toilets, and upgraded computer access for local residents.
For more information check out their website on www.the-factory.org.au, give them a call on 9698 9569, or drop in at 67 Raglan Street, Waterloo.
Photo: The Factory 30 year celebrations. INSET: The Factory in its early years.
Subjects studied through the course included handling cargo/ stock, safety management, route planning, security, forklift operations and customer service.
Organisations that supported the course by providing the work experience component for the students include Australia Post, dB Schenker Global logistics, Port Botany container Terminal (POAG and Patricks) QANTAS, Sydney Ports Authority, Sydney Ferries.
Thanks also to the Maritime Union of Australia for facilitating work experience contacts.
Congratulations to the 14 students who graduated the course and thanks also to John Mak, John Glover and Sonny Garewal from St George Campus and Course Coordinator Joe Newman.
For further information regarding future courses contact the Aboriginal Co-ordinator Ann Cribb 9710 5183.
Photo: Forklift training is a major part of the course.
The prestigious Awards were presented on 3 March, 2009 and Rohan was the winner of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Award. This national award is presented for increasing the employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Rohan was nominated for the award by the CFMEU for his work with the RWA’s Koori Job Ready Course in Construction.
The RWA and the CFMEU congratulate Rohan on the acknowledgement of his exceptional work for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island community.
The workshop discussed the provision of sport and recreational services for young people and the role the future National Indigenous Development Centre (NIDC) being developed in George Street, Redfern can play in this area.
The NIDC will include a multi-purpose sports and recreation centre and an outdoor swimming pool – the George Street Sport and Fitness Centre, which will be managed by the YMCA.
The YMCA provided information on their vision for the George Street Sport and Fitness Centre and indicated their enthusiasm to partner with other local organisations that provide sport and recreation for young people in Redfern and Waterloo.
The Workshop program provided the opportunity for participants to look at the existing sport and recreation services currently on offer to the local community as well as identifying and prioritising programs and activities they would like to see offered in the future.
The YMCA will also be offering training and employment to local Aboriginal people through the Centre. Job opportunities will range from fitness instructors through to management positions.
The ILC and the YMCA has also developed a Memorandum of
Understanding with the RWA to work together to deliver the Sport and Recreation Youth Precinct as outlined in the Redfern Waterloo human Services Plan.
A future meeting with local young people to seek advice about what type of things they would like to see running out of the Centre is currently being arranged.
The NIDC is scheduled to open in September 2009.
For further information regarding the Sport and Fitness Centre contact James Ellender from the YMCA on 9687 6233.
Photo: Workshop participants planning the new sporting and recreation facilities in George Street, Redfern.
For more information or to send us your feedback please contact the Redfern Waterloo Authority, Level 11, Tower 2, 1 Lawson Square, Redfern
Tel: (02) 9202 9100 Fax: (02) 9202 9111 Mail: PO Box 3332, Redfern NSW 2016 Email: redfernwaterloo@rwa.nsw.gov.au Internet: www.redfernwaterloo.com.au
]]>Mr Borger said the breakdown of the investment for the area included:
· Redfern and Waterloo - $3,856,098 to upgrade 1404 homes;
· Glebe - $2,459,338 to upgrade 724 homes;
· Sydney - $1,902,146 to upgrade 682 homes; and
· Marrickville - $1,000,766 to upgrade 294 homes.
“This significant investment will ensure electricians, plumbers, painters, carpet layers and others will have more work - it will keep people in jobs in these difficult times – it’s as simple as that,” Mr Borger said.
“In August last year, the NSW Government launched the single biggest residential maintenance contract in the Southern Hemisphere – helping us save millions of taxpayer dollars by adopting smarter ways of doing things.
“The new system encourages more proactive maintenance and improves the way tenants can report any repairs that are needed and because we have completed an audit of all the maintenance required in NSW we have been able to immediately kick start this new program.”
Ms Plibersek said the Commonwealth Government is investing $130 million in NSW on social housing maintenance.
“This significant investment will generate around 2000 jobs across the state and be used to upgrade around 31,000 homes by June 2010,” Ms Plibersek said.
“Over nine million is being invested in inner Sydney.”
Local Member for Balmain Verity Firth said the Federal Government’s investment complements existing NSW maintenance funding.
“The Premier brought forward a record $200 million late last year to further stimulate the economy.
“Housing NSW will also continue to spend around $140 million to further reduce the maintenance backlog,” Ms Firth said.
“This money will employ 50 social housing residents over a two year period, help maintenance contractors take on 250 apprentices, and improve the living conditions of social housing residents across the state.
“We are ramping up maintenance.
“This will see us upgrade an enormous number of homes over the next two years,” said Ms Firth.
Local Member for Heffron, Kristina Keneally, said the Commonwealth and NSW Government will invest three billion dollars over the next three years.
“This investment will deliver an extra 37,000 jobs and apprenticeships across NSW and build about 9000 additional social housing homes,” Ms Keneally said.
“It is a once in a lifetime opportunity that will not only better integrate social housing across the community it will help secure jobs and investment in NSW.”
Local Member for Marrickville Carmel Tebbutt said the NSW Government had hit the ground running to take advantage of the unprecedented opportunity.
“This investment is a great boost for local jobs and for tenants living in social housing homes in Southern Sydney. The NSW Government is committed to ensuring we pull out all stops to meet the Prime Minister’s deadline,” Ms Tebbutt said.
Souce: Media Release - Maintenance millions for local jobs and homes in Sydney April 14, 2009
topics include
· Housing NSW
· Antisocial Behaviour
· Redfern Waterloo Authority
· Question and Answer session
Come and meet those responsible for important NSW Government decisions about Redfern Waterloo’s future.
Download poster - REDWatch 5 March Meeting with Minister Keneally Poster
]]>“In these uncertain economic times the NSW Government will continue to support major infrastructure projects like this to help boost the economy and create jobs,” Mr Rees said.
“This site has been closed to the public for 150 years, operating as a brewery until February 2005.
“We are now opening up this fantastic part of Sydney’s history for everyone to enjoy.
“This major urban renewal will bring significant benefits to the local area including a significant boost in public open space, housing close to public transport and more jobs close to home.”
Mr Rees said the 5.8 hectare commercial, retail and residential development will deliver ongoing social and economic benefits to Sydney and the local community.
“The extra public space on the site includes almost 950m2 of additional public park space, and a new 4,275 m2 public plaza,” Mr Rees said.
“The Government has also made it a condition that public access is provided into and out of the site, including improved pedestrian and cycle links.
“A number of environmentally friendly initiatives have been proposed for the development, with aspirations for a six-star green star rating.
“Additional provisions have been made at the Carlton United Breweries site for sustainable energy production, water consumption and greenhouse gas reductions.
“An integrated water recycling scheme, on-site power generation and re-use, better stormwater infrastructure and improved building energy efficiency are part of Frasers Property’s plan.”
Minister for Planning Kristina Keneally, who joined the Premier at the site, said planning agreements between Frasers Broadway and the NSW Government have been renegotiated following the lodgement of modified plans.
“Affordable housing contributions will increase from $23 million to $32 million, translating into a potential 30% increase in affordable housing,” Ms Keneally said.
“And negotiations are underway to increase developer contributions for extra community infrastructure on the site.”
Ms Keneally said modifications to the concept plan, including the addition of about 20,500m2 of floor space, will improve redistribution of buildings and result in larger public domain areas.
“The site's taller buildings will now be focused along the Broadway and Abercrombie Street ends, and this reallocation of floor space will mean an extra 5,000 square metres of public space on the site,” Ms Keneally said.
“The number of car spaces has also been reduced by 440 to a maximum of 2000, decreasing demand for private car usage.”
Major demolition and site clean up started in April 2008 with construction due to begin in early 2010.
REDWatch Note: Also see Fraser's Media Statement: Premier announces approval of concept plan for Frasers Broadway site
]]>“Mr Wakelin-King has extensive experience
“Roy has proven he has the capacity and skills to forward plan and then deliver. These are valuable skills which he will bring with him to the Redfern-Waterloo Authority.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Domm for his service to the Redfern-Waterloo Authority and his continued work with at the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority.”
]]>More than 6,500 jobs, 1,200 homes including affordable housing, and five new parks would be delivered under a $550 million redevelopment of the former Eveleigh Railway Yards.
The redevelopment would also help fund an upgrade to Redfern Railway Station, promoting public transport usage for existing and future residents and workers.
Minister for Planning and Redfern Waterloo, Kristina Keneally, today announced she has approved a concept plan for the redevelopment of the historic former Eveleigh Railway Yards site in Redfern.
“The former Eveleigh Railway Yards have an important place in both the history and future of Sydney, but at the moment it’s simply underutilised,” Ms Keneally said.
“The fact is that the site’s proximity to both the city and Redfern Station means it has the potential to become one of Sydney’s key inner-city precincts.
“However there’s no question there are planning challenges for the area: preserving heritage but achieving the sites potential; creating growth but accommodating current residents.
“The plan I’m announcing today would strike a balance between these challenges, and at the same time recognise the site’s worker and railway history.
“The concept would also create more than 6,500 jobs, over half of which would be ongoing positions once construction is complete. More than 300 jobs would be allocated for Indigenous workers.
“The site would be taken to market in 2009, and developed over the next five to seven years.” Ms Keneally said the concept plan proposes:
Ms Keneally said the concept plan has been informed by extensive public and community consultation.
“Consultation on the original plan resulted in significant changes, including the removal of several proposed buildings and inclusion of five new parks,” Ms Keneally said.
“The proposal would deliver a range of residential, commercial, retail and cultural uses on the site, bringing new life to the local area breaking down barriers that physically separate the area from surrounding suburbs and neighbourhoods”
Changes made to the concept plan as a result of public consultation included:
Ms Keneally said another important change to the original proposal was the inclusion of guidelines for an Interpretation Strategy for historic and heritage items.
“One of the outstanding features of this site is clearly its historical and heritage significance. In considering the proposal I wanted to ensure the heritage features were not only retained but enhanced. I believe the proposal in its amended form will achieve that,” Ms Keneally said.
“The existing heritage buildings, such as the Chief Mechanical Engineers Building, the Paint Shop and Clothing Store, will be protected and sympathetically re-used, and the proposed building heights across the site will complement the scale of the heritage buildings”.
“The scale of adjoining neighbourhood buildings has also been carefully considered, with buildings fronting Wilson Street limited to three storeys above street level to complement surrounding residential buildings”.
“Even the historic Fan of Tracks has been incorporated as a feature of one of the parks, which adds to the interpretation of the site’s historical significance.”
The 10.7 hectare site, on the northern edge of the western rail line between Redfern and Macdonaldtown stations, is within walking distance of Sydney University’s Darlington campus, Redfern town centre and the Australian Technology Park.
Previously known as Eveleigh Carriage Workshops, the site was closed as a construction and maintenance centre for rail stock in 1988.
REDWatch Note: The Approval and any conditions will appear on the DoP website in the near future at : Concept Plan residential, commercial, cultural and open space
]]>The RWA Annual report contains some text from full page photos with text about people and organisations in Redfern Waterloo. For ease of reference we have add this text in italics at the end in one place before the Appendicies.
Finally we have had to exclude the financial report and some diagrams and have noted in the text that to obtain this information you will need to refer to the full PDF version.
The PDF version of the RWA Annual report can be found at: 07-08 Annual Report - Full Version (pdf ~3.5mb)
For ease of locating information within this text version we have provided links below to the major sections of the RWAs Annual Report:
Statement from the Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer
Redfern-Waterloo’s Renewal - Australian Technology Park (ATP)
Redfern-Waterloo’s Renewal - National Indigenous Development Centre
Redfern-Waterloo ‘s Renewal - Residential Development
Redfern-Waterloo’s Renewal - Community Health Centre
Redfern-Waterloo’s Renewal - North Eveleigh Training Centre
Redfern/ Regent Streets Upgrade
Other Development - Black Theatre Site
Sponsorships/Grants provided by the Redfern-Waterloo Authority
Profile - Aunty Beryl Van-Oploo
Profile – Eric and Maria Papadopoulos
Profile – Pastor Ray Minniecon
Profile – Rob Roberts and Tribal Warrior
Under the direction of the NSW Government’s 10-year urban renewal program for Redfern-Waterloo, the revitalisation of this once undercapitalised city fringe location has instilled renewed confidence in the region and encouraged an influx of creative enterprise and private investment.
With the amount of commercial, residential and community facilities being developed or refurbished as a direct result of RWA initiatives, Redfern-Waterloo is seeing the benefits of a commitment to reinvestment, jobs and sustainable economic prosperity.
Since the RWA was established in 2005, the NSW Government has directly facilitated the investment of well over $600 million towards infrastructure development and the provision of improved human services and an increase in employment opportunities for the local community. This, in turn, has inspired a sense of optimism among people who live and/or work in Redfern-Waterloo and those who will do so in the future.
Redfern and Waterloo are just south of Sydney’s Central Business District. To the south-west of Redfern and Waterloo are Sydney’s economic gateways, Port Botany and Sydney Airport. The traditional owners of Redfern-Waterloo are the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. The area remains culturally and historically significant for Aboriginal persons throughout Australia and is home to people from a diverse range of non-English speaking backgrounds.
To establish Redfern-Waterloo as an active, vibrant and sustainable community by promoting and supporting greater social cohesion and community safety, and respect for the cultural heritage and orderly development of the area in consideration of social, economic, ecological and other sustainable development.
The Hon. Kristina Keneally MP Minister for Redfern-Waterloo Parliament House
Macquarie Street
Sydney
Dear Minister Keneally
It is with pleasure that I forward you the fourth Annual Report of the Redfern-Waterloo Authority for the year ending 30 June 2008.
This report has been prepared in accordance with the NSW Annual Report legislation and the Redfern-Waterloo Authority Act 2004 No 107.
Yours Sincerely
Robert Domm
Chief Executive Officer
Redfern-Waterloo Authority
The Redfern-Waterloo Authority (RWA) was created by a NSW Government Act of Parliament in Oct 2004 (Redfern-Waterloo Authority Act 2004 No 107) and established on 17 January 2005.
The RWA is responsible for revitalising Redfern, Waterloo, Eveleigh and Darlington through strategic urban renewal, job creation and improved human services in consideration of social, economic, ecological and other sustainable development, public spaces, Aboriginal community needs, social cohesion and community safety.
We are pleased to present the fourth Annual Report of the Redfern-Waterloo Authority, which was established on 17 January 2005.
In this, our third full financial year, many initiatives have been implemented to further promote investment in the operational area and to provide jobs and training for local unemployed, particularly within the Indigenous community.
A sound strategic platform has been laid for Redfern Waterloo’s future growth and social cohesion.
Over the last 12 months, we have continued to focus our efforts on further developing the Redfern-Waterloo Plan, which is being implemented as part of the Government’s 10-year urban renewal strategy. The three main components are Human Services, Employment & Enterprise and the Built Environment.
Stage One of the Built Environment Plan was released on 30 August 2006 and is primarily a planning framework to encourage future economic growth and the creation of up to 18,000 jobs throughout Redfern-Waterloo, The blueprint included plans to generate more than 444,000sqm of new employment space, 2,000 new homes, a new Town Centre, improved pedestrian access to our residential and business hubs and better urban design.
We have also been driving and monitoring the implementation of Phase One of the Human Services Plan and the Employment and Enterprise Plan. Both Plans aim to enhance the lives of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged within our community.
A draft Human Services Plan (Phase Two) was finalised in 2007 and publicly released in July 2008. Phase Two outlines key strategies for the improvement of services to older people, people with disabilities, homeless people and migrant communities, while recommendations include a new task force to enhance the provision of dementia services, increased cultural awareness training for service providers and encouraging elderly Aboriginals to help design health programs. Overall, the Plan aims to better coordinate services to ensure the needs of the community are being met. Over the next decade, the NSW Government will work to implement this second phase of the Human Services Plan, along with Phase One – which deals with services for children and families, Aboriginal persons and young people.
In this Financial Year, several key projects moved forward including the successful tendering for the Rachel Forster Hospital site, with net proceeds from the sale dedicated to the development of the new $10 million Community Health Centre on the site of the former Redfern Courthouse and Police Station. This development will create up to 94 full-time jobs and lead to the adaptive reuse of the Redfern Courthouse heritage building. The proposed redevelopment of the hospital site will also result in significant social, economic and environmental benefits for the Redfern-Waterloo area. An estimated $70 million worth of local investment is expected to be generated through the proposed development of up to 150 new residential dwellings and more than 1000sqm of open public space.
Following the successful brokering by the RWA for the purchase of the former Redfern Public School by the Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC) from the Department of Education and Training, approval was granted in October 2007 for a new $30 million National indigenous Development Centre (NIDC). The Centre will provide local families with access to a range of learning, education, recreation and employment opportunities and represents a commitment by the RWA and the ILC to positive change for urban Indigenous communities. The Centre is expected to be operational by 2009 and will deliver 20 construction jobs for Aboriginal workers as part of the RWA’s Indigenous Employment Model.
Early in 2008, the RWA lodged its Concept Plan for the redevelopment of North Eveleigh which will in turn fund an upgrade of Redfern Railway Station and a new pedestrian/ cycle bridge to link the North Eveleigh with Australian Technology Park. The North Eveleigh project has a capital works cost of $550 million and will transform the historic precinct into a dynamic commercial, residential and cultural epicentre for the city. A significant proportion of the site will be retained in public ownership, with the adaptive reuse of buildings of historic significance. This includes the refurbishment of the heritage Blacksmiths’ Workshop adjoining the Performing Arts Centre for a community market, arts space and car park. The markets have received development consent and the multi-purpose facility is scheduled to commence weekend operation in the latter half of 2008.
The RWA’s agreement with ATP Partnership Ltd has led to the start of construction of a $123 million development at Australian Technology Park. Under the agreement, the Seven Network and their publishing company, Pacific Magazines along with other commercial tenants), will relocate to the site within the next two years to occupy a 43,500sqm state-of-the-art media centre. This will be Redfern’s largest commercial development in more than 10 years and create 600 construction and 2000 permanent jobs, including 60 for Indigenous construction workers. The multiplier effect in respect to further investment and jobs coming to Redfern is expected to be very significant.
The RWA’s direct commitment of more than $54 million at Australian Technology Park for the development of a 12,000sqm research facility along with associated roads and infrastructure was realised in May 2008 with the completion of the National ICT Australia (NICTA) Building. The Defence Science and Technology Organisation now occupies the first three floors, with NICTA having relocated to the upper three floors in mid-2008.
In June 2007, the NSW Government announced a major $27 million public housing redevelopment at Elizabeth Street Redfern that will create 106 modern and eco-friendly dwellings. In addition, the Department of Housing will sell adjoining land for a private residential development of 158 new dwellings.
The RWA’s commitment to the implementation of the Built Environment Plan includes an Affordable Housing Contributions Plan, which will deliver about $35 million or 75 affordable housing dwellings in Redfern-Waterloo over the next 10 years. The RWA will also be able to deliver an additional $30 million for affordable housing at North Eveleigh under the agreement it negotiated with the former owner over the future development of the CUB site in Chippendale. $16 million of the total funds available will be committed to affordable housing specifically for Aboriginal residents, which will be in addition to housing owned or proposed by the Aboriginal Housing Company on AHC land in and around The Block in Redfern.
The RWA Contributions Plan will also deliver about $37 million in developer contributions for public domain and other public works as a result of future development in the area under the RWA’s Built Environment Plan.
In partnership with Housing NSW, the RWA has commenced work on Stage Two of the Built Environment Plan, which includes the aim of improving public housing stock, enhancing the mix of housing types and tenancies in order to reduce the concentration of public housing, establishing a more sustainable social mix and facilitating affordable housing.
Dr. Col Gellatly Chairperson
Robert Domm Chief Executive Officer
In order to achieve its principle objectives, the RWA maintains an undertaking to:
CEO --------------
| •Human Services
| •Training, Enterprise and Employment
| •Community Relations
| •Office Administration
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Australian Planning and Urban Renewal (Development) Urban Design
Technology Park Precinct
Management Ltd
The Minister for Redfern-Waterloo, the Hon. Kristina Keneally MP, is responsible for the control and direction of the RWA. The Minister has established a Board of Governance and, while the Board establish the policies and directions for the RWA, its day to day management is the responsibility of the Chief Executive Officer.
There are three Board Committees:
Audit and Compliance Committee
The Audit and Compliance Committee is the focal point for communication between the Board, the external auditors, the internal auditors and management, as their duties relate to the financial accounting, reporting and internal controls and compliance.
The Audit and Compliance Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities as to accounting policies and reporting practices of the Redfern-Waterloo Authority. It is to be the Board’s principal agent in assuring the independence of RWA auditors, the integrity of management and the adequacy of the disclosures to the public.
Affordable Housing Committee
In accordance with RWA Board Procedures, the Affordable Housing Committee Terms of Reference are as follows:
To review the development and operation of the proposed affordable housing program for Redfern-Waterloo;
To review the operation of the Affordable Housing Voluntary Planning Agreement for the CUB site; and
To review the operation of the Affordable Housing Contributions Plan for Redfern-Waterloo.
Urban Renewal Committee
The Urban Renewal Committee reviews and advises on proposed urban renewal strategies in accordance with the RWA’s Built Environment Plan.
Minister for Redfern - Waterloo
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RWA Board
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Audit Compliance Committee - Affordable Housing Committee - Urban Renewal Committee
Dr Col Gellatly B Ag Ec 9 (Hons) UNE, M Comm (Hons) UNSW, Ph D NC State, FIPAA
Dr Col Gellatly is the current Chairperson of the Redfern-Waterloo Authority, as of 1 July 2007. Dr Gellatly is the former Director-General of the Premier’s Department, a role which he held since being appointed in 1994. He has held a number of senior management positions within the NSW public service, including as Director General of the Department of Land and Water Conservation. He is also Chair of Pillar Corporation, a member of the Board of State Water Corporation, a member of the UNE Council, member of Board of the NSW Rugby League and an Administrator, Wollongong City Council. Dr Gellatly has a degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of New England, a Master of Commerce from the University of NSW and a PhD from North Carolina State University.
CEO – Mr Robert Domm BA LLB (Mon) MLLR (Syd) Grad.Dip.Legal Prac. (ANU)
Robert Domm is Chief Executive Officer of the Redfern-Waterloo Authority and Managing Director of Australian Technology Park. Mr Domm spent four years at the City of Sydney including 3 years as General Manager during a period of unprecedented growth and change, through Council boundary changes and amalgamation with South Sydney Council. He served for three years as a Director of the Sydney Festival Limited and is also a Director of the South Sydney Leagues Club. A qualified legal practitioner and former labour advocate, Mr Domm has also worked as an adviser to Government and continues to bring broad experience and a strong commitment to social justice to his role as Chief Executive Officer with the RWA. In July 2008, the NSW Government appointed Mr Domm as Chief Executive Officer of the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority. Mr Domm holds degrees in Arts and Law, a masters degree in Labour Law & Relations and a graduate diploma in Legal Practice.
Mr Michael Collins FRICS
Mike Collins is a Sydney property practitioner. He has been involved in property economics, real estate valuation, property consultancy and asset management for over 35 years, and is professionally qualified in property economics and valuation. He runs his own property advisory company based in the Sydney CBD which provides services to the public and private sectors throughout New South Wales. Mike sits on the Boards of Redfern Waterloo Authority and Australian Technology Park Precinct Management Limited and is the current Chairman of Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority. He is a former Chairman of the Heritage Council of NSW and a former National and NSW President of the Australian Property Institute, the professional institute representing the property valuation and land economist professions in Australia.
Mr Richard Johnson MBE M Phil (UCL) B.Arch Hons 1 (UNSW) FRAIA
Richard Johnson is an award winning architect and was recently awarded the 2008 Raia Gold Medal for his exceptional body of work and contribution to the profession. He is a Visiting Professor of Architecture at the University of New South Wales and a Director of Johnson Pilton Walker Architects. He is also a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects, an Associate of the Japan Institute of Architects, and a Member of the Design Institute of Australia. Mr Johnson was involved in the design of the Australian embassies in Beijing and Tokyo. He is the Chief Architect for the Sydney Opera House and is also currently working on projects including the Australian War Memorial, the Hilton Hotel and the Asian Wing of the Art Gallery of New South Wales. He also serves on the Board of the Australian Technology Park and the Australian Architects Association. Mr Johnson has a Bachelor of Architecture (1st Class Honours) from the University of NSW and a Master of Philosophy (Town Planning) from University College, London. In 1976 he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to Architecture.
Ms Samantha Mostyn BA LLB
Ms Sam Mostyn has an extensive background in business, management, law and sustainability. She recently left Insurance Australia Group (IAG) after 6 years as Group Executive, Culture & Reputation. In that role she was responsible for the Human Resources, Organisational Effectiveness, Corporate & Government Affairs, and Corporate Sustainability functions. Prior to joining IAG in 2002, Sam held senior executive roles at Optus and spent 2 years in London in the role of Group Director Human Resources for Cable & Wireless plc. She has a BA/LLB from the Australian National University and serves on the Boards of the Sydney Theatre Company, the Australian Museum, Reconciliation Australia, Australian Volunteers International and the Australian Football League. She also serves on the NSW and QLD Climate Change Councils and chairs the Advisory Council of CSI RO’s Climate Adaptation Flagship project. She joined the Board of the Redfern Waterloo Authority in 2005.
Mr Warren Mundine AIMM MAICD
Warren Mundine is the Chief Executive Officer of NTSCORP Ltd., and an advocate for lifting Indigenous people out of poverty and building a strong Indigenous economy. Warren is also a member of the Australian Institute of Management, the Australian Institute of Company Directors, the Chair of NSW Labor’s Indigenous Policy Committee, a member of IAG’s Expert Community Advisors Committee, Executive Member of the National Native Title Council, Executive member of the St. Joseph’s College Indigenous Fund, Southern Cross University Foundation, Board member of NAISDA and Ambassador for the Song Room. Warren has been newly appointed to the National Policy Commission – Indigenous Housing Committee. Warren is the former National President of Australian Labor Party, Deputy Mayor of Dubbo and former Chair of NSW Country Labor. He also is and had previously served on the NSW PCYC State Board, as President of the NSW Local Government Aboriginal Network, as an Executive member of the Local Government Association of NSW, as a commissioner with the NSW Local Government Grants Commission and a former member of the NSW Attorney General’s Juvenile Crime Prevention Committee.
Ms Lucy Hughes Turnbull LLB MBA
Lucy Turnbull was Lord Mayor of the City of Sydney from 2003 to 2004, Deputy Lord Mayor from 1999 to 2003 and was recently appointed an Administrator of Tweed Shire Council. Ms Turnbull has extensive experience in planning, business and investment banking and currently chairs many companies, both private and public, including WebCentral Group Limited, Centrestone Wealth Management Pty Limited, and Pengana Holdings Limited. Former chair of the NSW Government’s Ministerial Advisory Committee on Biotechnology, Ms Turnbull has also served on the NSW Government’s Information Industry Business Advisory Board. She is the author of Sydney – Biography of a City (1999) and has assisted with several community based initiatives in the Redfern area. She also serves on the Board of Australian Technology Park.
Ms Ann Weldon
Ann Weldon is a proud member of the Wiradjuri Nation and is one of the founding members of the NSW Aboriginal Children’s Service. Ms Weldon has held executive positions and is a member of the Murawina Aboriginal Preschool, Aboriginal Housing Company, Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, Marrickville Aboriginal Consultative Committee, Aboriginal Housing Development Committee and ATSIC’s National Women’s Advisory and National Sport and Recreation Committees. Ms Weldon was a member of the Sydney ATSIC Regional Council for over 10 years, including a term as Chairperson. Ann was appointed to the inaugural Aboriginal Housing Board in 1998 as an ATSIC nominee and has remained Chairperson of the NSW Aboriginal Housing Board since her appointment in 2000.
John Mulally (Appointed 23 January 2008) BA LLB (Hons)
John has almost 40 years experience as a lawyer specialising in major property and infrastructure projects. He has acted for major Australian and off-shore developers and investors, Australian and State Government instrumentalities and off-shore Governments. This has included the acquisition, development and sale of major projects in all capital cities of Australia as well as in Vanuatu, Jakarta, Bangkok, Singapore, Tokyo, London, Paris, St Petersburg, Kiev, Moscow and New York. He has also advised on major energy projects in Australia and off-shore. He is currently advising on major infrastructure and renewable energy projects in China and Africa. His role in these projects deals with the funding structure, legal requirements and the integration of the commercial with the legal outcomes required to achieve project development.
Ms Jennifer Westacott BA (Hons) FAICD FVIPA (Term expired 16 January 2008)
Jennifer recently joined KPMG after over 20 years in State Government in Victoria and New South Wales at Senior Executive and Chief Executive level. Jennifer has held the following positions: Deputy Director General, NSW Department of Housing; Deputy Director, NSW Department of Community Services; Executive Director, NSW Health Council; Director of Housing Victoria; Secretary Education and Training Victoria; and from May 2003 to October 2005 Jennifer was the Director General of Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources in New South Wales. Jennifer is also a member of the Board of Advice Faculty of Economics, University of Sydney. Jennifer has also been appointed as the Adjunct Professor at the City Futures Research Centre, University of NSW.
Ministerial Advisory Committees
Built Environment, Employment and Enterprise and Human Services
Residents of Redfern, Waterloo, Eveleigh and Darlington were also invited by the Minister to participate in any of three Ministerial Advisory Committees established to advise on matters relating to the development and implementation of RWA initiatives. These committees also include representatives from Federal, State and Local government and local Aboriginal communities.
The principle objectives of the RWA are being delivered as part of the NSW Government’s 10-year Redfern-Waterloo Plan. The three-part Plan is designed as a “whole of community” strategy to address the complex issues of, and the needs of people who live within, the Redfern-Waterloo area. The Plan is being developed in stages, the first of which has been delivered, and ongoing community input will remain a major consideration.
The Redfern-Waterloo Plan consists of three components:
The RWA’s Plan is assisting in achieving three major priorities of the NSW Government’s comprehensive State Plan:
The State Plan, a New Direction for NSW, was launched by the Premier, Morris Iemma, in November, 2006 and is a blueprint for the betterment of a broad range of services for communities throughout NSW.
The Built Environment Plan (Stage One) was released in August 2006 along with the State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) to give legal effect to the new planning controls. The BEP is a landmark strategy to drive the physical renewal of Redfern and Waterloo with the aim to generate more than 400,000 square metres of new employment space and up to 2,000 new homes. This is being implemented through new zoning controls for eight key RWA strategic sites:
The key objective of the Plan involves creating an economic and civic centre around Redfern Station with improved pedestrian connectivity between the business hubs of Australian Technology Park, North Eveleigh and the Redfern CBD.
Stage One also identifies strategies for associated transport, traffic management, heritage protection, open space and public domain enhancement, infrastructure provision and guidelines for the achievement of safe and sustainable communities.
Significant Achievements
Future Key Tasks
The RWA has commenced research and analysis with Housing NSW to prepare the Redfern-Waterloo Built Environment Plan (Stage 2). This plan will focus on options for the revitalisation of public housing in Redfern-Waterloo and opportunities to enhance affordable housing by:
The NSW Government’s commitment to public housing in Redfern-Waterloo has been expressed very clearly.
The Redfern-Waterloo community and public housing tenants in particular will be extensively consulted on any proposals for public housing renewal.
Built Environment Ministerial Advisory Committee
Mr Robert Domm - Chairperson
Professor Chris Johnson - Department of Planning
Mr Richard Pembroke - Redfern Group
Mr Michael Cummins - Waterloo Storm ARLFC Inc
Mr Steve Tamas - PRD Nationwide Redfern
Ms Kathy Roil - Housing NSW
Mr Richard Hemsworth - Railcorp
Mr Reg Fisk - Department of State & Regional Development
Mr Michael Bushby - Roads & Traffi c Authority
Mr Andrew Thomas - Director of Strategic Planning & Project
Community members
Mr Alex Kibble
Ms Denny Powell
Mr Sol Bellear
Mr Geoffrey Turnbull
Ms Norah McGuire
The RWA’s Phase One Human Services Plan (HSP) was published in December 2005 and sets out a framework for improving access to health, education, employment and other essential human services in the local community.
Phase One addressed services provided primarily for children and young families, young people and Aboriginal people. The Plan also identifies priorities and actions to address improvement to the delivery of human services.
Phase Two was endorsed by the NSW Cabinet in May 2008 and continues the implementation of Phase One to ensure consistency and complementarities between actions in the two phases. The draft Human Services Plan (Phase Two)
identifies eight priority areas as well as improvements to service delivery for older people, people with disabilities, migrant communities and homeless people.
The eight priority areas are:
The role of the RWA in the development of the Human Services Plan is now complete. The RWA will continue to play a facilitating and coordinating role to support both Government and non-Government agencies to maintain the good progress achieved through the Human Services Plan Phase One and to assist in the implementation of the actions in Phase Two.
Significant Achievements
Future Key Tasks
Human Services Ministerial Advisory Committee
Mr Robert Domm – Chair
Dr Phil Lambert – Department of Education and Training
Ms Kristy Masella – Department of Aboriginal Affairs
Dr Greg Stewart -Sydney South West Area Health Service
Ms Margaret Malkjovich – Housing NSW
Ms Anne-Maree Sabellico – Department of Community Services
Ms Alison Peters – NCOSS NSW
Superintendent Mark Walton – NSW Police Service Redfern Local Area Command
Ms Sally Trevena – Office of Indigenous Policy Coordination (OIPC)
Ms Ann Hoban – City of Sydney
Mr Paul Cramer – Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.
Mr Steven Gal – Department of Disability, Ageing and Home Care
Community Members
Ms Mabel Chang
Mr Robert Perry
Ms Lynette Stewart
Mr Chris Carbin
Ms Rebekah Torres
Mr Michael Shreenan
The Employment & Enterprise Plan was published in May 2006 and is the first comprehensive training and employment strategy for the Redfern-Waterloo area. Its main aim is to deliver skilled job seekers to meet the specific employment needs of the market, to create educational opportunities and build on future growth potential.
The Plan initially focuses on:
Significant Achievements
Future Key Tasks
The RWA Indigenous Employment Model (IEM)
The IEM has brokered employment opportunities in the construction industry for 250 Aboriginal people across 25 trades from electricians to bricklayers, office administrators and crane drivers. On the Redfern Oval upgrade, the RWA brokered 10 jobs, seven positions for the Redfern Street upgrade and five for the Glebe Point Road project, while several private sector groups are using the RWA to manage Aboriginal employment on sites throughout Sydney.
The Model has also been adopted by other NSW Government Agencies, while the Commonwealth Government is using it to manage the achievement of Aboriginal employment outcomes on local construction projects.
Employment and Enterprise Ministerial Advisory Committee
Mr Robert Domm – Chairperson
Dr Phil Lambert – Department of Education and Training
Mr Peter Roberts – TAFE NSW Sydney Institute
Ms Bernadette Self – Department of State and Regional Development
Ms Kristy Masella – Department of Aboriginal Affairs
Ms Sharon Hawkins – Department of Employment and Workplace Relations
Mr Mark Spinks – Centrelink
Mr Les Tobler – CFMEU
Mr Shawn Day – City of Sydney (appointed February 2008)
Ms Jan Campbell – City of Sydney (resigned February 2008)
Community Members:
Mr Michael Dalah
Mr Anthony John Larkings
Mr Karl King
Ms Megan Gardiner
Ms Siobhan Bryson
Ms Dixie Link-Gordon
Mr Con Passas
Mr Jon Newton (resigned February 2008)
RWA A WINNER AT GROUP TRAINING AWARDS 2008
MG My Gateway and the RWA were winners at the NSW Group Training Awards held in June, 2008 in Sydney.
Presented by The Group Training Association of NSW, the awards recognise the hard work and dedication of apprentices, trainees, host employers and member organisations by rewarding their outstanding achievements and excellence in group training.
MG My Gateway and the RWA won the prestigious NSW Innovation and Best Practice Award for development of creating opportunities for employment within the Indigenous community through the Aboriginal Employment Model.
Indigenous Apprentice of the Year was MG Gateway employee, Lawrence Kelly – a third year construction carpentry apprentice hosted by Bovis Lend Lease. Lawrence got his start through the RWA’s Aboriginal Employment Model working on the CarriageWorks project at North Eveleigh.
ATP is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the RWA and occupies 13.8 hectares of the former Eveleigh Railway Workshops. The Park is continuing to experience unprecedented growth, with planned development over the next few years expected to generate more than 2,600 new jobs – representing a 20 percent employment increase for the Redfern-Waterloo area.
Provision also exists for several further buildings over the next decade. The first of these was completed in May 2008 and occupies a 3000sqm site on the eastern side of the Park near the Garden Street entrance. The result of a $47 million RWA investment and designed by Cox Richardson Architects, the six-storey 12,000sqm facility was purpose-built to house new research facilities for National ICT Australia (NICTA) and was constructed in accordance with the RWA Jobs Compact, employing local Indigenous people and new apprentices as a key element.
Following the RWA’s landmark agreement with ATP Partnership Ltd for an investment of $123 million in a 43,500sqm media centre at the Park, planning approval was granted in January 2007 for the state-of-the-art complex, which will include four television studios and a 12-storey office building for Channel 7 and their publishing company, Pacific Magazines. The agreement represents the largest commercial development in Redfern for over a decade and will create around 600 construction and 2000 permanent jobs at ATP.
In December, 2007, it was announced that Global Television would be joining Channel 7 in the new media centre. 120 staff will be based at Global’s new 10,000sqm production facility with up to 500 freelancers working on studio projects produced by Global including Australian Idol, Dancing with the Stars and Hi-Five.
Preliminary site inspections and excavation works were undertaken late last year, construction commenced in May 2008 and the building is expected to be occupied early in 2010.
The RWA also invested more than $7.5 million in new roads and infrastructure and committed a further $6 million for the Eveleigh Heritage Walk linking ATP with the proposed new North Eveleigh precinct.
Even with more than $200 million worth of capital works in progress, the ATP site has far more development potential under its planning controls. Accordingly, the ATP has commenced the staged marketing of its four remaining lots which will allow the further construction of 110,000sqm of commercial floor space. Future capital investment is estimated at $460 million and the aim is for the Park to be fully developed within 5 – 10 years. An ultimate workforce of more than 9000 permanent employees will make ATP the main driver in Redfern-Waterloo’s economic growth over the next decade.
Following successful negotiations by the RWA for the sale of the former Redfern Public School from the Department of Education and Training to the Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC), the NSW Government gave planning approval in October 2007 for a new $30 million sports, education and community centre on the site of the former school to provide a range of learning, recreation and employment opportunities for local families.
The National Indigenous Development Centre will include:
A number of organisations will be based at the Centre, including the Exodus Foundation, which will set up a tutorial centre for young adolescents; the National Aboriginal Sports Corporation Australia, which runs several sporting and life development programs for Indigenous people; and the Lloyd McDermott Rugby Development Team, an organisation providing opportunities for Indigenous youth to become involved in various team sports.
The project will deliver 20 construction jobs for Aboriginal workers as part of the RWA’s Indigenous Employment Model and is expected to be fully complete in 2009.
Following the RWA’s sale of the former Rachel Forster Hospital site on the corner of Pitt and Albert Streets in Redfern, the Planning Minister announced the approval of a concept plan for a $70 million residential redevelopment in October 2007 which will deliver up to 150 new residential dwellings and more than 1000sqm of public open space. Important heritage items such as the existing surgery building and colonnade structure will be retained and integrated into the development. The Plan includes four residential buildings ranging from three to six storeys. An additional level will be allowed on the existing heritage building and three new detached residential buildings over a two level basement car park. As part of the approval process, the proponent will be required to lodge a project application that is consistent with the concept plan and provide a contribution for the delivery of affordable housing and public works in the area.
The RWA also welcomes a significant investment by Housing NSW in a public housing redevelopment in Redfern’s Elizabeth Street. The Department lodged a development application for the $27 million project in June 2007.
The 106 new dwellings will replacing the existing homes on the site which were built in 1953. The proposal consists of 40 terraced family homes with backyards, medium-density units and custom-made apartments for the elderly. There will also be communal recreation areas and parklands along with environmentally-sustainable initiatives such as water tanks and energy saving inclusions.
Current residents are being offered alternative housing in the area and will have the option of returning to new housing appropriate to their needs within the new development. Once approved, the 18-month project is expected to commence in early 2008.
The area will also be enhanced by the sale of adjoining Department land for the development of a further 158 private dwellings, the sale of which will contribute to the cost of the new public housing.
In January 2007, the RWA and NSW Health formed a Project Control Group for the adaptive re-use of the former Redfern Courthouse and Police Station in Redfern Street as a $10 million Community Health Centre.
RWA’s concept planning and sale of the former Rachel Forster Hospital site (located on the corner of Pitt and Albert Streets, Redfern) has provided funding for the NSW Government’s new $10 million Community Health Centre announced in July 2008.
The project is funded by the sale of the former Rachel Forster Hospital site which was negotiated by the RWA early in 2008. Development was approved by the NSW Government in July and is expected to become fully operational in 2009 and provide a comprehensive range of community services including those in key areas such as drug counselling and mental health.
It will create up to 94 full-time jobs in the area, lead to the adaptive reuse of a significant building and deliver a range of important health benefits to local families.
Through projects such as this, the community is beginning to see the results of the Human Services Plan (Phase Two) which aims to provide improved services for older people, people with disabilities, migrant communities and homeless people in the local area. Phase Two of the Human Services Plan identifies specific challenges faced by these sections of the local community and the development of the new Community Health Centre is another step forward in addressing these challenges.
Initiated and funded by the RWA, the North Eveleigh Training Centre is a key component of the RWA’s Employment and Enterprise Plan.
The Yaama Dhiyaan Training & Hospitality College opened its doors in October 2006 to offer a unique learning experience. An initiative of the RWA in partnership with Aboriginal elder Aunty Beryl Van-Oploo, and young Aboriginal chef, Mathew Crib, the centre offers an accredited hospitality training course.
The courses teach students the basics of hospitality and specialise in indigenous Australian cuisine. Graduates then receive certification in Kitchen Operations, Barista, Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) and Responsible
Gaming Service (RGS). The quality and scope of the training provides graduates with the qualifications and experience necessary for employment in the restaurant and café sectors, tourism operations, clubs, hotels and catering enterprises.
Located beneath Yaama Dhiyaan is the Les Tobler Construction Training Centre. A partnership of the RWA and TAFE NSW, the Centre is named in honour of Les Tobler, who was instrumental in establishing the first Job Ready Program and involved in recruiting unemployed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders for pre-employment programs. On completing the courses, graduates can expect to be offered employment on various Redfern-Waterloo building projects through the RWA’s Indigenous Employment Model.
A major part of the RWA’s commitment to Redfern-Waterloo’s urban renewal is the proposed redevelopment of the North Eveleigh precinct, which is destined to become an exciting residential, commercial and cultural community over the next 10 years.
More than 15 percent of the site will be publicly accessible open space with up to seven heritage buildings retained and adaptively reused (including the main CarriageWorks building).
The proposal will create residential floor space equal to approximately 1260 new homes and more than 87,000sqm of floor space for cultural, commercial and retail uses accommodating some 3270 permanent new jobs.
In a Concept plan lodged by the RWA and placed on public exhibition between 1 May and 12 June 2008, the Plan seeks approval for a floor space equivalent to more than 181,000sqm. A significant portion of the site will be retained in public ownership, which includes the Yaama Dhiyaan Indigenous Training College, the CarriageWorks Performance Space, the Eveleigh Markets (former Blacksmiths’ Workshop) and the former Scientific Services Building on Wilson Street which is proposed as a new community centre.
The enlivened precinct will be facilitated by the sale and development of surplus lands in the area, the marketing of remaining development sites at Australian Technology Park, the construction of a major pedestrian / cycle bridge linking both sides of the rail corridor and a significant upgrade of adjoining Redfern Station.
It is proposed that the $6m pedestrian/cycle bridge linking the Eveleigh Precinct with ATP will be part of the upgrade. The capital works will provide easy access, improve passenger and staff safety, achieve a capacity upgrade to meet future passenger demand and facilitate commercial and retail development surrounding the station. This will also enhance proposed development in the Eveleigh precinct and minimise traffic impacts by promoting public transport usage.
The bridge will be known as the Eveleigh Heritage Walk and is partly funded by a $6 million contribution from the RWA and its subsidiary ATP. Another aim of the bridge is to provide a magnificent perspective of the rail history of the area and facilitate the research and innovation zone linking the University of Sydney and Australian Technology Park. Pedestrians will be able to cross between the northern and southern sides of the rail corridor with the bridge linking Wilson Street, Darlington with the ATP and suburbs beyond.
This $1.3 billion investment in Eveleigh’s transformation will result in:
An important element of the redeveloped North Eveleigh precinct is the Eveleigh Markets in the RWA’s $3 million refurbishment of the heritage Blacksmiths’ Workshop.
The markets will house 109 undercover stalls with a retail emphasis on well-priced food and produce. Arts and crafts will also be a feature and significant local employment opportunities are expected to be generated. The markets will operate alongside the Contemporary Performing Arts Centre and the Yaama Dhiyaan Training Centre and commence weekend operation before the end of 2008.
The North Eveleigh redevelopment is expected to generate 3,300 construction jobs – more than 300 of which will be allocated for Indigenous workers under the RWA’s Indigenous Employment Model.
The Redfern and Regent Streets upgrade was part of a major initiative by the City of Sydney to revitalise the Redfern district and create a more vibrant, active and safe public domain. Works were completed in September 2007.
The beautification between Elizabeth and Regent Streets has delivered key streetscape improvements such as:
As part of the RWA’s groundbreaking Indigenous Employment Model the contractor for the upgrade (along with the Redfern Park redevelopment) created a number of apprenticeships, traineeships and labouring positions specifically for Aboriginal persons.
The Indigenous Land Corporation’s $8m development of the former Black Theatre site in Cope Street, Redfern was completed in June 2008. Vacant for two decades, it was originally the home of Sydney’s first Aboriginal theatre.
The new three-storey building includes retail space, office accommodation and the Gadigal Information Services’ radio station and recording studios.
The Gadigal Information Service was established and became an incorporated Aboriginal association in 1993 to provide a community based media, arts and information service for Sydney’s Indigenous community and includes 93.7FM Koori Radio 2LND – the city’s only full-time Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community radio station.
The striking façade of the new building showcases a commissioned artwork by Aboriginal artist, Adam Hill, which acknowledges the site’s Indigenous history and reflects the renewed optimism of people throughout the Redfern-Waterloo community.
2007/2008 Financial Year commencing 1st July 2007 – Organisation, Date, Purpose and Amount
Community representative and Aboriginal affairs activist, Sol Bellear, joins South Sydney’s under-13s Alexandria Rovers JRLFC and coach, Jamie Dempsey, during a training session at Alexandria Park.
RWA Ministerial Advisory Committee Member (Built Environment), Sol Bellear has lived in the South Sydney area and been actively involved in Aboriginal community affairs for many years. Former Deputy Chair of ATSIC, head of the Redfern Aboriginal Authority (RAA) and Board Member of the South Sydney Rugby League Football Club among his credentials, Sol says the RWA’s urban renewal program has shattered the perception of Redfern as ‘a broken down no-go zone’.
‘It’s the RWA’s Aboriginal employment strategies that have really impressed me. They’ve already created over 100 positions for local Aboriginals, there are new Aboriginal-owned businesses, the Black Theatre’s been redeveloped and now Channel 7 has made a commitment to employ as many Aboriginal people as they can with the new media centre at Australian Technology Park.’
‘Then there’s the Indigenous Centre at the old Redfern Public School and the plans for North Eveleigh... I mean, a lot of people haven’t grasped what’s happening. Some people still want Aboriginals moved out of Redfern, yet there are more Aboriginals living in the high-rises of Waterloo than there are on The Block.’
“Our courses give people an opportunity to find themselves through a respect and commitment” Aunty Beryl Van-Oploo, Aboriginal Elder from the Yaama Dhiyaan Hospitality Training Centre, North Eveleigh
Aboriginal Elder, Beryl Van-Oploo, has been running the RWA’s Yaama Dhiyaan Hospitality Training Centre in North Eveleigh with Aboriginal chef, Mathew Cribb for the last two years. Known by everyone as simply ‘Aunty Beryl’, her passion extends beyond the activity of the kitchen to the disadvantaged and unemployed the Centre helps to inspire on a daily basis.
Yaama Dhiyaan (or ‘welcome family and friends’ in the language of the Gamiliaroi people) specialises in Indigenous culture and cuisine – an Australian first which has resulted in an invitation to take part in the Terra Madre Food Conference to be held in Turin, Italy in October.
Aunty Beryl is justifiably proud of the Centre’s success, but reserves her greatest adulation for its students. ‘To see these people go out into the workforce as a result of the skills they’ve learned from us is very rewarding, but it’s about much more than finding a job. Our courses give people an opportunity to find themselves through a respect and commitment to what we’re trying to achieve for them’.
She says the changes happening in Redfern-Waterloo are having a positive impact, particularly within the Aboriginal community. ‘They want to get skilled up and be part of the local workforce. Regaining self-esteem and getting involved in the community can change a person’s life and the lives of everyone in their family. For me, that’s the icing on the cake.’
“ What’s happening at Australian Technology Park and with Channel Seven coming to Redfern, this will all be better for local business” - Eric and Maria Papadopoulos, owners of Alexandria Gas ‘n Go, Redfern.
Married for 36 years, Eric and Maria Papadopoulos have owned and run the Alexandria Gas ‘n Go on Regent Street since 1977. Maria – or ‘Mary’ as she’s known by the locals – ‘loves the place’ and describes it as ‘home’, while Eric says the location is good for a business like theirs.
‘We’re right between the city and the airport. There are new shops and different people moving into the area. What’s happening at Australian Technology Park and with Channel Seven coming to Redfern, this will all be better for local business.’
Eric agrees that the influx of new business and residential development will help change people’s perception of Redfern-Waterloo. ‘When something bad happens in Sydney, even if it’s not Redfern, people point the finger,’ he says. ‘But bad things happen in other places too. In 30 years, I’ve never had any problems. I mean, it’s the way you treat people... that’s how you’ll be treated in return.”
“This is just a really good place to live. There’s a real honesty here” - Pastor Ray Minniecon, campaigner for the Aboriginal Diggers Recognition Project
Pastor Ray Minniecon of the Kabi Kabi people in Queensland came to Sydney 12 years ago, and like many Aboriginals who live in the city, calls Redfern home. An active local community member and former Director of the Crossroads Aboriginal Ministries, Ray describes Redfern as ‘one of the safest places in the country for an Aboriginal person’.
‘This is just a really good place to live. There’s a real honesty here and the best thing that’s happened in the area, for me personally, is the Babana Aboriginal Men’s Group.’
Babana (or ‘brother’) is a community group formed in 1996 which provides support, networking and opportunities for local Aboriginal men to discuss projects of benefit to Redfern-Waterloo – the most significant being the Aboriginal Diggers Recognition Project (or ‘Coloured Diggers Project’) which seeks acknowledgment of Australia’s Indigenous war veterans. Local Aboriginals –including Pastor Ray – decide draw attention to their history and organised the nation’s first Coloured Diggers March in Redfern on Anzac Day 2007, an event successfully repeated in 2008.
‘I think it’s an inspiration for young Indigenous people to realise their fathers and grandfathers fought for this country in all the overseas conflicts.’ The group is currently campaigning for the installation of a bronze monument by sculptor Andrew Symonds commemorating our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Anzacs.
“ When it comes to issues of domestic violence, we can heal” - Dixie Link Gordon, Mudgin-gal Aboriginal Corporation Women’s Centre co-ordinator
A co-ordinator at the Mud gin-gal Aboriginal Corporation Women’s Centre in Chippendale, Dixie Link Gordon has lived in the Redfern-Waterloo area for 28 years. The Women’s centre is a service staffed and run by Aboriginal women that provides a safe haven and vital gateway for women of all ages to access a wide range of services and information.
One of the Centre’s core programs since 2004 and strongly supported by the RWA is the ‘Blackout Violence’ campaign which was designed specifically to inform victims and educate offenders of the consequences of domestic violence within the local Aboriginal community. The Centre is also planning to work alongside the Babana Men’s Group which provides a similar supportive environment for men.
‘The reality is that violence has always been part of the Aboriginal community’. Says Dixie. ‘More people are realising this kind of behaviour is unacceptable. Kids don’t have to grow up watching their mum become a victim, young boys don’t have to end up in jail, and a young father can get the support he needs to hold his family together’.
‘When it comes to issues of domestic violence, we can heal – whether you’re a victim or a perpetrator. While we’re not necessarily seeing less violence, we’re certainly seeing more people prepared to talk about it and that’s a really positive thing.’
“There are good people here. Very friendly” - Harry Karabotsos, barber and hair stylist
77-year old Harry Karabotsos migrated to Australia from Greece in 1955 and has been the face of Harry’s Barber Shop on Regent Street since 1969, when the weekly rent was just five dollars. As owner of one of Redfern’s longest-established private businesses, Harry has seen a lot of changes in the area over the last 39 years. He recalls a time when he would arrive at the shop to find his front windows smashed, but along with most of the memorabilia on display in the window – that’s now a thing of the past.
‘No broken windows now,’ says Harry. ‘There are good people here... very friendly.’
“Redfern’s been a terrific place for business” - Maury Finkelstein, owner of the South Sydney Loan Office on Redfern Street
Maury Finkelstein, has been running the South Sydney Loan Office in Redfern for 40 years. His family came to Sydney from Israel in 1925 when Maury was just 12 months old. Now 83, Maury spent 24 years as a tailor in the Eastern Suburbs before he and his father opened the pawn broking shop in Redfern.
‘I’m no spring chicken and I don’t make a fortune. But I’ve made a reasonable existence. Redfern’s been a terrific place for business and people here treat their shopkeepers very well.’
While Redfern is transformed around him, Maury’s shop remains as it has for the last four decades. ‘Maybe one day I’ll retire. When I’m working, I’m occupied. If I can’t get work anymore, then I’ll stop.’
“The community gardens are a place local residents can get to know each other and socialise” - Mabel Chang, Waterloo community representative and Cook Community Gardens co-founder
A local representative on the RWA’s Human Services Ministerial Advisory Committee, Mabel (May Shoo) Chang helps organise many events for residents of the Waterloo community and was a founder of the Cook Community Garden which, this year, celebrated its 11th anniversary.
The Community Gardens project on the Waterloo Public Housing Estate started in 1996 as an imitative of Housing NSW, South Sydney Council and the UNSW. The Cook Community Garden on the corner of Pitt and Raglan Streets (the first of four on the Estate) was built in 1997 and makes use of organic gardening techniques.
Mabel came to Australia from Burma in 1988 bringing with her a heritage of ‘nurturing the earth’, which allowed her to see the potential of the land around her. As a result of the gardens she installed around her own block of units on the public housing estate and for her work in establishing and serving on management committees of the community gardens in the area, Mabel has received an award from Sydney City Council for Best Environmentally Friendly Garden in a Multi-Dwelling Residence every year since 1999.
Mabel says the community gardens have improved life on the estate by enhancing the public space and providing a means for local residents to get to know each other, socialise and develop a better understanding of their cultural differences.
“We’ve had a great success rate with around 600 people having come through our training programs.” - Rob Roberts, sales representative with Redfern’s Tribal Warrior Association.
A non-profit local Indigenous enterprise owned and managed by Aboriginal Elders and grassroots community members. Redfern’s Tribal Warrior Association provides certified maritime training, employment opportunities and mentoring to underprivileged Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people – particularly Aboriginal youth.
‘TribalWarrior’ is the name of the first Aboriginal-manned vessel to circumnavigate Australia (it’s also officially the country’s oldest working timber boat) and visited many Aboriginal communities during its 648-day journey (August 2001 – June 2003). In 2006, the Association began conducting Australia’s first ever Aboriginal-owned and operated cultural cruises of Sydney Harbour aboard both its flagship gaff-rigged ketch and the ‘Deerubbin’.
The idea for the Association sprung from a group of concerned local Aboriginals who decided to do something about the cycle of self-destruction amongst people in its own community. Since the training programs began in 1999, almost 600 people have gained employment in the maritime industries.
Charter
The RWA was formed under the Redfern-Waterloo Authority Act 2004.
Chief and Senior Executive Officer
Robert Domm was Chief Executive Officer with the RWA during the 2007-2008 Financial Year. Richard Clark was Senior Executive Officer with the RWA during the reporting period.
Staff Numbers by Employment Basis
Permanent Temporary Full-Time Part-Time Casual
Staff 13 3 16 - -
% 81% 19% 100% - 5%
Men 6 - 6 - -
Women 7 3 10 - -
Aboriginal Person or
Torres Strait Islander 3 - 3 - -
Person with a Disability - - - - -
Person from a Racial, Ethnic or
Ethno-Religious Minority Group - 1 1 - -
People whose first language
is not English 4 1 5 - -
Staff Numbers by Level
Men Women Total
$46,320 - $51,783 - 1 1
$51,784 - $65,526 - 2 2
$84,738 - $105,923 2 5 7
$> $105,923 (non SES) 2 2 4
$> $105,923 (SES) 2 - 2
Legislative Changes
There was a change to legislation administered by the RWA during the reporting year.
2007 No 27 Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2007. Assented to 4.7.2007. Date of commencement of Sch 2, assent, sec 2 (2).
Overseas Travel & Corporate Credit Cards
No overseas travel fares were incurred during the reporting year, and as at 30 June 2008, no corporate credit cards had been issued to any RWA staff.
Corporate Services
Finance, accounting and payroll services were provided to RWA by the finance division of Australian Technology Park. Information and technology services were provided by The Central Corporate Services Unit (CCSU) of the Department of Commerce.
Risk Management
The RWA has a Business Risk Map of its operations. The primary objective of the Business Risk Map is to coordinate risk management activities within the RWA to ensure the activity is focused on areas of greatest risk and is also used by Business Audit to derive its strategic audit plan.
Contributions are made by the RWA to the Treasury Managed Fund for workers compensation, motor vehicle accidents, property loss, public liability and various other insurable risks.
RWA staff have assigned wardens and participated in emergency evacuation drills. No OH&S incidents have arisen.
Freedom of Information Procedure
During the reporting period, one request was made, to the RWA under the Freedom of Information Act. In the same period, no major issues arose, and there were no investigations or applications for review submitted.
Formal requests made under the Freedom of Information Act for access to documents held by the RWA should be accompanied by a $30 application fee and directed to:
The FOI Coordinator
Redfern-Waterloo Authority PO Box 3332
Redfern NSW 2016
The contact number for all FOI inquiries is (02) 9202 9100
Land Disposal
There were no land disposals for the year ended 30 June 2008.
Plans, Policies and Procedures
Code of Conduct
The RWA has its own Code of Conduct which was developed in accordance with the principles of ethical and responsible decision-making and embodies the public sector values of respect for the law, the system of Government, the community and its persons, integrity, diligence, economy and efficiency, and accountability.
Equal Employment Opportunity Policy (EEO)
Through its policy, the RWA implements the following principles of the EEO:
The RWA also has a policy for the Action Plan for Women along with an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Strategy.
Disability Access Policy
The RWA complies with the NSW Government Disability framework through its Disability Access Policy. This provides a process for the RWA to better meet the needs of staff and the community in relation to persons with a disability. The RWA is committed to ensuring all people have reasonable access to the resources and spaces governed by the Authority.
Ethnic Affairs Priority Statement
The RWA recognises and values the different linguistic, religious, racial and ethnic backgrounds of all the people of NSW and endorses the four principles of multiculturalism as set out in the Community Relations Commission and principles of the Multicultural Act 2000.
Towards this objective, the RWA will develop and implement policies sensitive to the needs of all staff and clients and ensure that its Boards and Committees reflect the multiculturalism of the community.
NSW Government Action Plan for Women
The RWA supports the NSW Government Action Plan for Women and will promote workplaces that are equitable, safe and responsive to all aspects of women’s lives. It will also promote the position of women in all areas of society as well as access to and successful outcomes for women in all parts of the education and training system.
Occupational Health & Safety Management Plan
The RWA is committed to the occupational health, safety and welfare of its employees, those contracted to perform work on its behalf and visitors to the premises. It is committed to regular consultation with staff and their representatives, and where necessary, with contractors and suppliers of equipment and services to ensure OH&S management is of the highest standard.
Waste Reduction and Purchasing Policy
The RWA is committed to the implementation of the Government’s Waste Reduction and Purchasing Policy (WRAPP).
Following is a full list of RWA Plans and Policies: Publications
Publications
Newsletters (16,000 copies per issue):
Annual Report October 2007
Annual Report
The RWA 2007-2008 Annual Report is made available electronically at www.redfernwaterloo.com.au The total cost of external production and printing was $49,478.
Contact Details
Redfern-Waterloo Authority
Level 11, Tower 2 1 Lawson Square Redfern NSW 2016
Telephone: +61 2 9202 9100
Reception 9am – 5pm Monday – Friday
Website: www.redfernwaterloo.com.au
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Commercial assets and leases belonging to the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority (SHFA) and the Australian Technology Park (ATP) at Redfern will be placed on the market as part of the NSW Government’s Mini-Budget.
NSW Treasury will also undertake a review of developer infrastructure levies to improve the supply and affordability of housing across the state, to be completed early next year.
Minister for Planning Kristina Keneally said that retail and commercial leases at Darling Harbour, including the Harbourside Shopping Centre, Sydney Aquarium and IMAX theatre will be subject to a 99-year lease.
“The long term lease of these assets will provide a shot in the arm for the State’s economy,” Ms Keneally said.
“It will also free-up the government agencies responsible for these assets, the SHFA and the Redfern-Waterloo Authority (RWA), to strengthen their focus on what they do best.”
Ms Keneally said the SHFA excels in the preservation of heritage icons and the delivery of world class events that showcase the Darling Harbour and Rocks precincts.
“They are doing excellent work as a Government agency but their role should not be the management and ongoing maintenance of commercial buildings and assets,” Ms Keneally said.
“These assets are more suited to commercial investment and ongoing operation from the private sector.”
Ms Keneally said leasing SHFA’s commercial assets will strengthen their focus on providing entertainment and enjoyment to the thousands of international and domestic visitors that flock to Darling Harbour and The Rocks each year.
“SHFA will retain ownership of the Entertainment Centre, Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Chinese Gardens and public domain assets at Darling Harbour, Luna Park and The Rocks Precinct,” Ms Keneally said.
“These are landmarks, synonymous with Sydney, and the continued good work of SHFA will maintain the status they hold with Sydneysiders and visitors.
“The Government purchased the ATP because it was in financial stress and did not have the financial capacity to restructure its business,” Ms Keneally said.
“The Park has turned this around. It is more appropriate for the private sector to take over its ownership and operation.”
Ms Keneally said the leasing of each asset will be staged and will only proceed if there is appropriate interest from the private sector.
Ms Keneally said she did not expect this to have an impact on the price of admission to sites such as the Sydney Aquarium, the IMAX theatre or rents in the Harbourside Shopping Centre.
“The entry prices for these venues are set by the commercial operators, as are the rents for shops located in the Harbourside Shopping Centre,” Ms Keneally said.
The decision to lease the commercial assets of the SHFA and the ATP adds to recent Government savings announced by Ms Keneally including: