REDwatch Media Statement
New Primary Health Care
Facility in Redfern Welcomed
A meeting of REDwatch
today welcomed the announcement of a new primary health care facility in Lawson
St Redfern, and the extension of drug and alcohol support services to the area.
REDwatch spokesperson, Geoff Turnbull, said,
“This announcement
demonstrates that the Carr Government
is finally facing up to the very real drug and alcohol issues in Redfern and
are beginning to provide drug users with the support services they require.”
“REDwatch believe that issues of drug and alcohol abuse must
be addressed as a health issue. This new centre hopefully signals the State
Governments commitment to working with the community and providing
drug users with the support they require.”
“As the Upper House Inquiry has noted, to be successful this
new centre needs to be part of a broader consultation and community education
campaign to ensure it has support of the broader Redfern community”.
“Of course, the details of the plan need to be examined,
such as the exact location, the process of community consultation and the range
of services provided. This area has been subject of numerous
consultations, plans and inquiries. It is vital that the plan build on the work
of the Upper House Inquiry, the Redfern Partnership Project, existing service
providers, such as the Aboriginal Medical Service and other stakeholders.”
REDwatch is a residents group covering Redfern Eveleigh
Darlington and Waterloo
(the same area covered by the
Premiers’ Department Redfern
Waterloo Partnership Project). REDwatch monitors the activities of the RWPP,
the RED strategy and its other programs and seeks to ensure community involvement in all decisions made about the area. REDwatch meets on the 4th Sunday of the month at the Redfern
Community Centre at 2:00pm
Further Information Contact:
Geoff Turnbull 02 9318 0824 Email:
turnbullfamily@stassen.com.au
Ben Spies-Butcher
0414 744 758
REDwatch
C/- PO Box
1567
Strawberry Hills NSW 2012
Ph Wk: 9318 0824