The iconic Surry Hills landmark, Northcott Housing Estate,
is the frst in the world to be recognised by the World Health Organisation as a
“Safe Community”. For the last 4 years, national arts organisation Big hART has
used cultural activities to bring about change at Northcott, working with
Police, Department of Housing, Tenants and a myriad of other community
partners. These creative initiatives have included the well publicised and
highly successful production of Stickybricks and portrait exhibition, tenant by
tenant, for the 2006 Sydney Festival and the documentary 900 Neighbours which
premiered at the Sydney Film Festival in June. Using a whole of government
approach, the partners have been successful in creating signifcant behavioral
changes within the Northcott community. While crime and violence still occurs
at Northcott, the tenants have become better equipped to respond to these
issues together. It is this ability to deal with and address issues of safety
that the World Health Organisation is acknowledging.
Source: Have You Heard? Edited by Trevor Davies in South Sydney Herald December 2006