REDWatch MEDIA
RELEASE
“See Block Plans First Hand” –
Redfern Challenge to Carr
Community
Group REDWatch has issued invitations to all NSW Premier Bob
Carr to visit Redfern’s Block and view the Plans for the
Aboriginal Housing Company’s Pemulwuy Project first hand.
The NSW
Government, through the Premier’s Department were working with the Aboriginal
Housing Company to develop plans for a 62 home housing project to go on
Redfern’s block up until Frank Sartor was appointed Minister for Redfern
Waterloo late 2004.
Mr Sartor
has made plain his dislike for the Pemulwuy project and his preference for
something other than housing on The Block. A compromise offer made by Minister
Sartor to provide only 19 homes on The Block has been roundly rejected by the
Aboriginal Housing Company Board.
Over the
last few months there has been a succession of politicians and experts both
State & Federal who have visited The Block and inspected the project and
who have gone away most impressed.
The latest
visit was a couple of weeks ago when the NSW Opposition Leader visited The
block and viewed what the AHC plans to put on the bulldozed block.
Community
Group REDWatch has now issued the challenge to the Premier to also visit The
Block and see what is proposed first hand rather than relying on reports from
others.
REDWatch
has offered to arrange for him to meet with the AHC project team and for Mr
Carr to be shown the plans which have been worked on last year by the Merrima
Design Group of the State Architects office as part of the Governments support
of the project.
REDWatch
spokesman Geoffrey Turnbull said “We are sure that like Mr Brogden, Mr Carr be
most impressed with the vision and how the plans have come together into well
thought out plan for the Block’s future”.
“Since Mr
Sartor’s appointment we keep hearing that the NSW Government no longer support
the Pemulwuy project but so far no reasons have been given. The AHC has set up
a task force of prominent experts in housing lead by Mr Tom Uren to assess the
project and address any concerns Mr Sartor may raise. But so far no concrete
problems have been raised by Mr Sartor.” Mr Turnbull said.
“The time
has come for Bob Carr to take up the
Redfern challenge personally. He needs to visit the AHC, see the plans talk to
the people involved and hear their vision and aspirations for the Block. He
needs to know what the AHC and many in the community want and why they have
rejected the option raised by Frank Sartor.” Mr Turnbull said.
REDWatch
are prepared to set up the exact same itinerary that was set up for Mr Brogden
so the Premier can also meet some local organisations over a cup of coffee
after the AHC visit and discuss what the Redfern people want for the Block and
their suburb.
For Further
Information contact:
Geoffrey
Turnbull
or Trevor
Davies
REDWatch
Spokesperson
Tour
Organiser
Ph Wk: (02) 9318 0824
Ph:
04 0000 8338
email: turnbullfamily@stassen.com.au
8th May 2005
REDWatch
is a residents and friends group covering Redfern Eveleigh Darlington and Waterloo (the same area
covered by the Redfern Waterloo Authority). REDWatch monitors the activities of
government activities such as the RWA and RWPP and seek to ensure community
involvement in all decisions made about the area.