Minister
for Redfern Waterloo Frank Sartor today rubbished claims from Opposition leader
Peter Debnam about progress in the inner-Sydney suburbs of Redfern and Waterloo.
“I know the
Member for Vaucluse doesn’t spend much time in Redfern and Waterloo, so he might be shocked to realise
it is bigger than the Block,” Mr Sartor said.
“In its
first year of operation the Redfern-Waterloo Authority (RWA) has laid the
building blocks for long term change and revitalisation of the area.
“Mr
Debnam’s call for the Government to reveal its plans for Redfern-Waterloo
reveals the extent of his ignorance.
“In recent
months the RWA has released the first two planks of its Redfern-Waterloo plan
for public debate – a debate in which Mr Debnam has until now been silent.
“I am
pleased to inform him that:
- The Human Services Plan was
approved in December and is currently being implemented to provide more
efficient and effective services for local residents. - The Employment and Enterprise
Plan is on exhibition for public comment and proposes a range of
innovative strategies to help create up to 18,000 new jobs in Redfern and Waterloo over the
next 10 years. - The final section of the
Redfern-Waterloo Plan, the Built Environment Plan has been drafted and
will soon be available for public comment. - The RWA has brokered a deal for
the establishment of a national centre of indigenous sporting, social and
cultural excellence at the old Redfern public school. - A new Indigenous Enterprise
Hub, a Jobs Compact with the construction union and a vocational training
centre at North Eveleigh are all working
to provide more job and business opportunities.
“Today’s
visit is nothing more than a cheap political stunt with no evidence from the
Opposition of an alternative vision for improving the lives of local residents.
“Is the
Opposition Leader suggesting that concentrating 62 dwellings on the Block would
somehow solve the problems of Redfern and Waterloo
in one fell swoop?
“Or does he
just intend to throw $27 million in taxpayer dollars at a flawed solution which
has failed in the past?”