The development
company is on track to have their Pemulwuy Project approved by the Department
of Planning later in the year after spending the bulk of 2006 jockeying around
planning requirements.
The Pemulwuy Project
is a mixed-use development plan for an area that includes the area known as the
Block. The plan will provide residential units for home ownership by Indigenous
people, an Elder’s centre, respite and health care facilities and an art
gallery, in addition to commercial facilities. The AHC’s intention is to
“restore a strong and healthy Indigenous community to Redfern” correcting for
its media-savaged reputation.
Since lodging a
proposal with the Department of Planning last April, the AHC has made three
amendments to conform with changes to local planning requirements and enhance
their prospect for approval success. The AHC was to submit its final Concept
Plan by the end of April, which if approved by the Department, will make way
for the submission of the Project Application.
While not wanting to
speculate on Sartor’s likely sway, the man they call “Uncle Mick,” and the
eldest of six Mundine brothers, is adamant the project will be approved –
whether by the NSW Government within the legislated 42 days of receipt of the
Project Application, or sometime later in the courts if the AHC is forced to
take action.
“Redfern is like the
Opera House or Harbour
Bridge for our people,”
said Mundine. “It’s our God-given right to be a part of the (State
Government’s) vision for the area.”
His fervent
conviction is further grounded in the AHC’s compliance within the letter of
Sartor’s planning laws. The AHC has since consulted with the community as
demanded by the Department, and enlisted the advice of some pre-eminent
thinkers on planning related matters such as internationally acclaimed
architects Cracknell and Lonergan, Smyth Planning and planning lawyer John
Mant.
The City of Sydney Council provided
consent for the project last month, subject to some ownership provisions, while
the Office of Community Housing, private landowners in Lawson Street, Redfern Police and community
group REDWatch have all indicated their support. The support of two Aboriginal
companies and a school are outstanding before the Department of Planning will
consider the Project Application.
The Department of
Planning did not care to comment on the progress of the plan, but did say that
all information relating to the Pemulwuy Project is available on their website.
Mick Mundine, who
has been with the AHC for 32 of its 34 years, said the implementation of the
Pemulwuy Project would be his career highlight, after celebrating his 60th
birthday and his brother Beau’s 50th in March with a party that still fondly
reverberates around AHC’s corridors.
“Everyone wants to
reach the top of a mountain in their lives, and my mountain is right here in
Redfern with the Pemulwuy Project,” said Mundine.
Source: South Sydney
Herald May 2007 http://www.southsydneyherald.com.au/