Mr Grenot told The South Sydney Herald that he will soon
create opportunities for the public to meet and comment on the plan.
“Using some of the processes and ideas from my time with the
Northcott community in Surry Hills, I hope to play my part in public housing
tenants and communities adding to the richness and diversity of inner-city
life,” Mr Grenot said.
The position of Public Housing Liaison Officer was created
in early 2007. Mr Grenot began in this role in July.
It is a completely new position. “I am not aware of any
similar position like this one in Local Government,” he said.
“The position came out of the City’s Safety Strategy and
acknowledges the amount of State Government-managed public housing dwellings
within the City’s LGA (Local Government Area). “There are nearly 10,000 public
housing dwellings in this area – arguably the most for any LGA in Australia.” Mr
Grenot said most public housing within the City’s LGA is in concentrations,
where there are complex problems and needs, as well as a range of issues around
safety and crime. “The significant estates/communities are in Millers Point,
Woolloomooloo, Glebe, Redfern, Waterloo,
Surry Hills and Erskineville but there are dwellings in just about every suburb
within the LGA.
“Having spent the past decade with the NSW Department of
Housing, all in the inner city, in a variety of support, problem-solving and
capacity-building roles, and the previous 25 years working with communities and
individuals, I believe this new role is not only needed but has the potential
to create strong and sustainable interventions with all stakeholders,” he said.
Mr Grenot sees the roles as essentially about two things:
managing risks and potential risks, as well as supporting and empowering
communities including individuals and groups.
He said the first aspect is about helping address safety and
crime concerns, listening to tenants and community concerns and needs in
addition to partnering and acting with all who work closely in public housing
communities.
The second aspect is about creating and supporting community
development opportunities as well as building individual and collective skills
and capacity. Mr Grenot went on to say there is much planned for Woolloomooloo
in the years ahead. “The Woolloomooloo improvement plan
will address a number of public domain, safety, and amenity
issues as well as looking at the human capital and needs. Dominic Grenot can be contacted on 9265 9954 or
dgrenot@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au.
Source:
South Sydney Herald February 2008 – www.southsydneyherald.com.au