The latest news from REDWatch
REDWatch is a community group which covers the Sydney suburbs of Redfern Eveleigh Darlington and Waterloo. These suburbs make up what the NSW Government generally refers to as Redfern - Waterloo. The area has been subject to various NSW Government interventions since the early 2000s and had its own Government Minister from 2004 to 2011. Interventions have included removing planning responsibilities from City of Sydney Council and having place specific interventions on human services, infrastructure and employment. This history is captured on this website. Currently the focus is on UrbanGrowth Central to Eveleigh and the proposed redevelopment of the Waterloo Public Housing Estate. Below is the latest news from REDWatch about our area and its issues.
REDWatch Submission on Darlington PCTC - September 2009
This is the submission made by REDWatch regarding the City of Sydney's Draft Pedestrian, Cycling, Parking and traffic (PCTC) Plan for Newtown Darlington Camperdown and Erskineville in September 2009.
REDWatch’s comments on 18 Month RWA Human Services Plan Evaluation
The following comments were made by REDWatch to the RWA as feedback on the RWA's 18 month Evaluation of the RWA Human Services Plan Phase One in September 2009.
REDWatch 2009 Statements
This is a record of statements made by REDWatch on Redfern Waterloo Issues in 2009. Other statements made by REDWatch may also appear in the Media Articles and in submissions made to Government or the Redfern Waterloo Authority.
A List of Useful Web Links
This is a summary of some of the main links to other sites concerning Redfern - Waterloo
REDWatch Submission on Sydney City Draft Subregional Strategy Sept 2008
Thgis is the link to the text of the REDWatch submission on the Draft Sydney City Draft Subregional Strategy which was on exhibition until 5th September 2008.
REDWatch Submission - NSW Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage Inquiry
This is the text of the REDWatch Submission to the NSW Legislative Council’s Standing Committee on Social Issues Inquiry into Closing the Gap – Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage made on 31st January 2008. This submission requests the Inquiry under its terms of reference to Inquire into the implementation of its earlier recommendations from its 2004 Inquiry into Redfern and Waterloo which the NSW Government said had been taken into account in their decisions to establish the Redfern Waterloo Authority and other decisions.
REDWatch 2008 Statements
This is a record of statements made by REDWatch on Redfern Waterloo Issues in 2008. Other statements made by REDWatch may also appear in the Media Articles and in submissions made to Government or the Redfern Waterloo Authority.
REDWatch Submission on LAP Grants
This is the REDWatch submission of June 2007 to the City of Sydney requesting that Local Action Plan Grants be included in the City's 2007-2008 budget. The submission also requests the city to explore how councils public liability insurance can be extended to cover community activities as happens in some other council areas. (23 KB PDF)
Questions for Candidates for March 24th 2007 NSW Election PDF
This is a PDF copy of the Questions for Candidates adopted by a REDWatch General Meeting on 14th February 2007 for use on the REDWatch website and for distribution in the lead up to the 2007 NSW Election. This document is in PDF format 100 Kb.
An Agenda for Redfern Waterloo Changes in 2007 - State Election Issues
This is a PDF copy of the policy document has been adopted by a REDWatch General Meeting on 14th February 2007 for use on the REDWatch website and for distribution in the lead up to the 2007 NSW Election. The document sets out the changes that REDWatch would like to see resulting from policy changes as a result of the election and / or a change of Minister responsible for Redfern Waterloo.
REDWatch 2007 Statements
This is a record of statements made by REDWatch on Redfern Waterloo Issues in 2007. Other statements made by REDWatch may also appear in the Media Articles and in submissions made to Government or the Redfern Waterloo Authority.
OPEN SPACE AND THE REDFERN-WATERLOO AUTHORITY (RWA)
The details below provide some information on OPen Space issues that relate to Redfern Waterloo.
Picnic and Information Day - Saturday 8 April 11.30
This is the leaflet advertising the REDWatch BEP Picnic and Information day. - Reduced green space in an already concrete city, especially the loss of Marian St Park. - 18-storey buildings, where the TNT towers are only 11 storeys. - Increased motor vehicle traffic on Wilson St & other streets. - Work created in the area for professionals & not for locals. - Residents from The Block not having the right to develop an adequate amount of housing on their own land. - Moving of residents in the area rather than developing real solutions to helping the disadvantaged in the area. - Redfern becoming the next Chatswood. Unsure of what this is all about? Not sure what the Redfern Waterloo Authority are suggesting? Need help clarifying what's been planned for your community? Come to a community BBQ & info session organised by locals for locals! Saturday 8th April, 2006 11am, Marian St Park
REDWatch submission on RWA Employment Enterprise Plan
Submission of areas of concern relating to the Redfern Waterloo Authority [RWA]’s Employment Enterprise Plan [EE Plan] from REDWatch, a local community based organisation.
REDWatch 2006 Statements
This is a record of statements made by REDWatch on Redfern Waterloo Issues in 2006. Other statements made by REDWatch may also appear in the Media Articles and in submissions made to Government or the Redfern Waterloo Authority.
REDWatch Press Release 28 Jan 2005
REDWatch calls for Minister Sartor to release the “Working Papers” relating to the formation and functioning of the new Redfern Waterloo Authority
REDWatch Letter to Frank Sartor 27 Jan 2005
REDWatch request for the release of papers relating to the Redfern Waterloo Authority
REDWatch Letter to Frank Sartor 31 Jan 2005
REDWatch expresses its views on Community Advisory structures for the Redfern Waterloo Authority
REDWatch Press Release 11 May 2005
REDWatch Press Release urging Bob Carr to visit the Block - 11 May 2005
REDWatch Media Release 30 May 2005 #1
REDWatch Press Release in response to the map released by the RWA showing State Significant sites in Redfern and Waterloo
REDWatch Media Release 30 May 2005 #2
REDWatch Media Release in response to the state government's control of planning in Redfern and Waterloo
Introductory Leaflet
Refern Waterloo can not just trust in Frank - This ia an introductory leaflet about the Issues facing Redfern - Waterloo and why REDWatch should be supported.
REDWatch Submission on RWA Draft Human Services Plan (DHSP)
REDWatch wishes to make some brief comments on the DHSP. It is not our intention to go into all the areas covered the DHSP. In general terms we are supportive of the comments made in the papers by the RLC and Elizabeth Rice.
Download Full REDWatch DHSP Submission
This is a PDF version of the full REDWatch Submission on the RWA's Draft Human Services plan for Redfern Waterloo of 11th November 2005. The file is 210Kb.
Submission on RWA Draft Human Services Plan
In October 2005 the RWA released a Draft Human Services Plan for public comment. REDWatch met with RWA staff soon after the release of the draft and made a submission covering our concerns about the Plan.
Introductory Leaflet Download
This is a pdf file download of the current REDWatch Introductory Leaflet.
Questions and Answers
This document covers Questions and Answers about the proposed Redfern - Waterloo Plan and REDWatch's proposed Integrated Planning Framework.
Community Participation Principles
The submission included some Community Participation Principles which REDWatch wished to see addopted by the RWA in light of the criticism that had been leveled against the government's poor track record of consultation in Redfern - Waterloo.
Unhealthy and Healthy Community Indicators
In preparing the Community Participation Principles REDWatch’s attention was drawn to a list of Unhealthy and Healthy community indicators from Building Healthy Communities. REDWatch felt these indicators were also important in building a health community in Redfern - Waterloo. This list was included in our submission and is contained in the pdf file on this page.
The REDWatch Planning Framework for the Redfern-Waterloo Plan
This document contain REDWatch’s ideas on a planning framework for Redfern-Waterloo. This framework is in four parts: A) “The Plan in Outline”, which provides a broad overview of how the Redfern-Waterloo Plan could be developed, implemented and reviewed; B) A summary of the steps involved in developing, implementing and reviewing the Redfern - Waterloo Plan; C) suggestions for specific ground rules for developing, implementing and reviewing the Redfern - Waterloo Plan and; D) more detailed explanations of why each of the ground rules is needed.
Download Full Planning Framework Statement
This is a pdf version of the full REDWatch Submission on the need for an integrated planning framework for the Redfern - Waterloo Plan of 31st May 2005.
Submission on RW Plan
In May 2005 REDWatch adopted a report from the REDWatch Redfern Waterloo Plan Working Group to go to the Minister and the RWA setting out REDWatch's thoughts on how the RWA should go about the process of developing the Redfern Waterloo Plan. This submission sets out some of REDWatches concerns as well as a practical framework for creating an integrated planning framework.
Reconciliation Bridge Walk and Candle Light Vigil in Support of Aboriginal Housing on the Block June 9th
Following the declaration of State Significant Boundaries REDWatch joined with other groups to organise a Candle Light Vigil and Reconciliation Bridge Walk in Support of the Aboriginal Housing Company and the Block.
Sartor makes land claim for Redfern’s Block
This was the second of two REDWatch media statements issued on 30th May 2005 when the RWA State Significance boundaries for Redfern Waterloo were discovered in the Government Gazette. This Media statement was issued with contacts for other interested organisations in Redfern Waterloo.
Sartor takes Planning Control of Redfern’s Block
This was the first of two REDWatch media statements issued when the RWA State Significance boundaries were released.
“See Block Plans First Hand” – Redfern Challenge to Carr
Following the visit of NSW Opposition Leader John Brogden to the AHC and the Block, REDWatch invited the Premier to also visit the Block and see the AHC plans. The REDWatch invitiation ran on the front page of the May 2005 South Sydney Herald and people were encouraged to write to the Premier encouraging him to see first hand the project his Government was no longer supporting.
“See Redfern before Frank Sells It” Parliamentarian’s Tour
To draw attention to the Government's plan to sell off some of the scarse inner city real estate to fund the RWA, REDWatch organised a “See Redfern before Frank Sells It” Parliamentarian’s Tour for 4th May 2005 to tour the most likly sale sites.
Sartor Called to Release Redfern Waterloo Documents
With the Legislative Council call for papers no discovering the earlier RED Strategy working papers or counsultants reports, REDWatch called on Minister Sartor to release these documents. This has been an ongoing call.
REDWatch 2005 Statements
This is a record of statements made by REDWatch on Redfern Waterloo Issues in 2005. Other statements made by REDWatch may also appear in the Media Articles and in submissions made to Government or the Redfern Waterloo Authority.
REDWatch Press Release 02 Nov 2004
Community group REDWatch outlines its concerns about the proposed Redfern Waterloo Authority.
Rally at the Waterloo Towers
REDWatch joined with other local organisations to arrange a rally for 6th December 2004 in response to the revelations in the Sydney Morning Herald about the NSW Governments Plan for Redfern - Waterloo.
REDFERN-WATERLOO AUTHORITY BILL 2004 Briefing Note – November 30 2004
With the passage of the Redfern Waterloo Authority Bill through the NSW Legislative Assembly REDWatch prepared a breifing not with which to lobby for changes to the Bill in the NSW Legislative Council. REDWatch met with Minister Sartor who had carriage for the Government as well as the Liberal Party and the Cross-Benchers to acheive some changes.
Areas to change in the RWA Bill
Media Release of 29 November 2004 following REDWatch Meeting which decided on the areas of the RWA Bill that REDWatch would lobby to change
First Breifing Note on RWA Bill
REDWatch produced this Breifing Note on 16th November 2004 when the wording of the Bill initially became available.
Residents seek consultation to ensure harm minimisation works
Following the response from the Aboriginal Medical Service and growing concern in the community about the location in Lawson Street Redfern, REDWatch issued the following Media Release.
REDWatch Comments on RWA & RWP Anouncement
In response to the Premiers' anouncement that rather than the expected Draft RED Strategy, the NSW Government would establish the Redfern Waterloo Authgority, REDWatch produced "REDWatch Comments on The Proposed Redfern Waterloo Authority (RWA) and Plan (RWP)" on 3 November 2004 setting out their concerns about the decision. Many of these concerns still exist today.
New Primary Health Care Facility in Redfern Welcomed
REDwatch issued a Media Statement in response to the Premier's initial announcement of a new medical centre for Lawson Street Redfern on 24th October 2004.
REDWatch 2004 Statements
This is a record of statements made by REDWatch on Redfern Waterloo Issues in 2004. Other statements made by REDWatch may also appear in the Media Articles and in submissions made to Government or the Redfern Waterloo Authority.
Parkway Presentation
This is a 761 Kb PDF of the presentation made to the Chippendale Community meeting on August 2 2006.
Council's proposed Bike Masterplan with Parkway imposed.
This is a copy of Council’s proposed Bike Masterplan – which is due to go on exhibition shortly for public comment. The green routes show RTA cycle paths, the blue routes show Council’s proposed cycle paths (to the year 2016). Here, Council’s plan shows the absence of routes locally, ie through Chippendale, Darlington and the Block. It should be noted the proposed cycle route via the CUB site to Prince Alfred Park is noted as a longer term option and is subject to STA approval. The concept plan for the Parkway is indicated in red, to allow comparison with the City’s proposal. Please note this plan is in the concept stage – finetuning may follow after feedback from various stakeholders including local communities and cycle groups. File is 366 Kb JPG.
The Parkway + the City’s draft cycle strategy
These are background notes on the Parkway prepared by the Combined Chippendale Community Groups to encourage feedback on the Parkway proposal.
Parkway Proposal - a green off-road pedestrian-cycle route through Chippendale
The Parkway proposal was presented at a Chippendale Community Meeting on 2 August 2006. The Parkway is a concept plan for a green off-road pedestrian-cycle route through Chippendale. It is a series of green links through local neighbourhoods - taking you from the City & east Darling Harbour to Alexandria, Newtown and the Australian Technology Park through Chippendale, with an east - west axis taking you from Glebe to the University of NSW. This is achieved through the recreation of green space and public domain opportunities – either through footpath extensions or dedicated off-road opportunities, reducing through traffic and prioritising pedestrian and cycle movement, where possible.
Looking for Premises in Redfern Waterloo - the South Sydney Community Aid experience
The sale of the Redfern Public School saw tenants such as South Sydney Community Aid have to look for alternative accommodation in the area. Following they have documented their experience. Their story highlights the problems facing smaller NGO’s delivering human services in Redfern Waterloo in finding and being able to get funding support for suitable accommodation to deliver their services.
Industrial relations Changes and Human Services
An Industry Roundtable meeting held before Christmas 2005 decided to eastablish a Taskforce chaired by Sir Marcus Einfeld with 6 other nominees. The terms of reference of the Taskforce will cover the use of the corporations power in the constitution, impacts on delivery of services, employment conditions, workplace recruitment and retention, impact of competitive tendering and government funding policies. A report from the December 2005 meeting is below:
HCAP Supported Community Meetings and Projects through 2008
This letter from HCAP invites the community to be involved in in activities arround Redfern Waterloo Public Housing and is reproduced here to help spread the word about local activities that people be involved in.
Housing Communities Assistance Program (HCAP) 2006 – 2008
The HCAP Programme is now operating from the Factory Community Centre. The information sheet attached provides some background to what HCAP is currently doing. The Redfern and Waterloo Neighbourhood Advisory Boards produce a bi-monthly newsletter called RedWater News. RedWater is distributed to every household on the Redfern and Waterloo estates. An Editorial Committee made up of tenants, the HCAP worker, and the worker from the University of New South Wales Community Development Project produce the newsletter. RedWater News publishes articles of interest to tenants including local tenant initiatives, tenancy issues, tenant profiles, local events and activities. Please contact Orna Marks, the acting HCAP worker if have any suggestions for RedWater news.
Housing Community Assistance Programme - HCAP
The HCAP Programme is operating from the Factory Community Centre. It has funding until mid 2008. Here you will find some information about the HCAP's programmes.
Will small Community Centres cease being funded?
There is quite some concern amoung neighbourhood centres that DoCS policy changes may see smaller (under $1 million) community centres pushed out of the service system. In the letter below the Eastern Suburbs, Inner City and Inner West Neighbourhood Centre Forum have raised their concerns over the changes with DoCS. This clearly would have implications for local Centres in Redfern Waterloo.
Community Safety Survey 2009
This Community Safety Survey was produced by the Factory Community Centre and REDWatch as a way of getting community input to a number of issues raised about community safety and fear of crime issuers in the local community. Please download the questionnaire and return it to by the end of August 2009. File is MS Word 100Kb.
RedWater News - May 2009
RedWaternews is produced by and for Redfern and Waterloo tenants. This Issue has a focus on harm minimisation and Alcohol Free Zones. File is 1MB PDF
Babana ANZAC Newsletter - April 2009
This is the April 2009 Babana Newsletter which has a focus on the Aboriginal ANZACs and Coloured Diggers. File is 1 MB PDF
Waterloo Community Engagement Proposal March 2009
During 2008 Waterloo Neighbourhood Advisory Board carried out a series of consultations to develop a proposal for future ‘community engagement’ strategies and on how to increase resident involvement in local decision making processes. This information sheet summarises the proposal to be implemented and to be piloted over the course of 2009. (92 KB MSWord).
What Needs to be done in RW Human Services – An NGO Perspective
The new South Sydney Interagency had its second meeting on 11 June 2008. The feature of the meeting was a short consultation carried out by NSW Council of Social Services (NCOSS), the peak non-government organisation in NSW. NCOSS is commencing a series of visits across the state to talk to community organisations about what they want to see in the 09/10 State Budget. Yes, the process for the next budget gets going almost as soon as this budget is announced. The value of a generalist interagency is that we can look across our area in a holistic way to see all the supports in place and how all NGO activities impact on each other and the South Sydney Region. Below is a write up of the findings which also gives a window into the needs of local human service agencies.
Sketch Plans of Settlement Building Changes 20 July 2007
These are sketch plans showing the building changes to The Settlement in July 2007. File is 157 KB JPG.
A Settlement at the Crossroads
This is an article about the Settlement which appeared in the Sydney University Alumni magazine Spring 2006. PDF File 290 Kb.
Local Human Services NGO Updates
There are a range of peak bodies (such as NCOSS) looking after the various interests of sectors of the NGO Human services however from time to time we get asked to put some NGO material of broad interest to people in Redfern Waterloo on the REDWatch website. Such information can be found in this section of the site. [For information on local human services responses to the RWA Human Services Plans see www.redwatch.org.au/RWA/humanservices ].
OURpark Proposal for Redfern Oval
This article was published in the October 2004 edition of the South Sydney Herald. Written by Ian Thompson from Open Up Redfern Park (OUR Park), it describes the formation of this group and their push for the village green option for redevelopment of Redfern Oval.
Iconic Cleveland Street Australia Post HQ to be redeveloped and sold
Australia Post announced on 7 March 2013 a major redevelopment (pending council approval) of its iconic 219 – 241 Cleveland Street Headquarters in Strawberry Hills on the fringe of Sydney’s CBD. In conjunction with the extensive redevelopment of the building to create a modern and efficient corporate headquarters, Australia Post will commit to a 12 year head lease and market the property for sale. The details of the media release from Australia Post of 7 March 2013 is provided below.
Giant architect built for justice - COL JAMES, 1936-2013
Col James was a giant who took great strides with gentle steps, followed a career-long path with clear direction and purpose, but always had time for a cup of tea and to listen to those seldom heard by the architectural world he loved reports this obituary in the Sydney Morning Herald of 23 February 2013.
There Goes The Neighbourhood
Once a byword for social decay, Redfern is now hip, thanks to gentrification and redevelopment. But while that has attracted cool cafes and the upwardly mobile, the area's many public housing residents are feeling increasingly downtrodden, as Stephanie Wood discovers in Sydney Magazine issue no 113 for September 2012.
Kristina Keneally Resigns from NSW Parliament
The Hon Kristina Keneally MP today (23rd June 2012) announced she will resign from NSW Parliament effective 29 June 2012 reports this media statement from Kristina Keneally.
Media Articles on Redfern Waterloo 2004 - 2013
News articles between 2004 and 2013 concerning Redfern Waterloo from various sources. After this date media stories were included in the areas of the site most relevant to the article.
2004-2012 Statements
The Redfern Waterloo Authority operated until 2011-12 when it was taken over by the Sydney Metropolitan Development Authority. Here we have captured some of that history as it happened in Redfern Waterloo Issue Updates and statements from REDWatch and Government.