About
REDWatch
is a proud grassroots group of volunteer residents and friends from Redfern,
Waterloo, Eveleigh and Darlington. We support the existing diversity in these
areas and promote sustainable, responsible economic and social development. We
formed in 2004 in response to state government development plans under the
Redfern Waterloo Participation Project (RWPP) and later the Redfern Waterloo
Authority (RWA).
Guiding
Ethos
As
a group, we continually look to engage a variety of people across different communities,
the community sector and those who work in government. A significant focus for
REDWatch is to facilitate a welcoming, inclusive and open space where various
views and opinions can be shared without judgment. We are also conscious of
elevating marginalised voices in all we do because, due to multiple reasons
such as resource scarcity, time, or other, many groups and identities have
unequal opportunities to engage with formal consultation processes or obtain
access to decision-makers.
We
achieve our aims by remaining politically neutral. Our non-partisan governance
structure is derived from our elected coordination committee, comprised of
people from diverse political parties. To this end, we strongly encourage
people from various political parties to join REDWatch. REDWatch is guided by
the notion that the best ideas and outcomes are produced when diverse views and
people come together.
Activities
REDWatch
undertakes a range of activities to advance our mission, including holding
regular public meetings and forums, disseminating timely information through
our website, social media and email list, and regularly engaging with
policymakers, elected officials, senior bureaucrats and academics to keep up to
date with local issues and organise community engagement opportunities. Furthermore,
REDWatch Spokesperson Geoff Turnbull represents REDWatch in the development,
implementation and governance of the Waterloo Human Services Action Plan
alongside government and the NGO sector.
We
meet at 6 pm on the first Thursday of the month at the Factory Community Centre
in Waterloo. These monthly meetings are open to everyone and focus on critical
local challenges or broader social and political issues impacting the local
community.
Areas
of Priority
- Public housing redevelopments, including Waterloo, Explorer Street
South Eveleigh, and Elizabeth Street Redfern - Participation in the Waterloo Human Services Plan
- Advocacy for affordable, social and Public housing
- South
Eveleigh heritage and public space protection - Redfern station and southern concourse issues
- Campaign to build an active transport bridge between North and
South Eveleigh - Public land
developments, such as the land surrounding Carraigeworks in North Eveleigh
(Paint Shop and Clothing Store Sub-Precincts) - Coordination with other
resident action groups to advance issues of common concern
Meetings held in FY 2022/2023
July 2022
REDWatch members meeting
August 2022
Waterloo Redevelopment: LAHC Proceeds to Implementation
August 2022 – Waterloo South – LAHC moving to Delivery
August 2022
Redfern North Eveleigh Planning Proposal
August 2022 – Redfern North Eveleigh Paint Shop Precinct
Exhibition Briefing – TfNSW
August 2022 – Redfern North Eveleigh Paint Shop Precinct Saturday
Public Meeting
October 2022
Not Just Buildings: Discussing the People Aspects
of the Waterloo South Redevelopment
October 2022 – Waterloo South LAHC introduces
their community engagement for people and place.
November 2022
What’s needed to see positive outcomes for public housing tenants from the
Waterloo plans?
November 2022 – What does LAHC need to do to deliver positive
outcomes for public housing tenants from its Waterloo plan?
December 2022
Enhancing local democracy to affect positive change in our communities + Annual
General Meeting & AGM
February 2023
NSW State Election: Public, Social and Affordable
Housing Policy of the Major Parties with Rose Jackson (Labor) Jenny Leong
(Greens) and Chris Rath (Liberal)
February
2023
Heffron Electorate State Election Candidate’s
Forum in
coordination with Alexandria Resident’s Action Group (ARAG)
March
2023
Newtown Electorate State Election Candidate’s Forum in coordination with ARAG
and Friends of Erskineville (FOE)
April 2023
Post-Election Community Listening Meeting
May 2023
NSW State Election Debrief and Discussion / Cathy Callaghan (Shelter NSW), and
Geoff Turnbull (REDWatch)
June 2023
Federal Government’s Housing Policy Agenda with Tanya Plibersek MP, President Australian
Local Government Association Linda Scott, NSW Minister for Housing &
Homelessness Rose Jackson MLC
July 2023
Explorer Street South Eveleigh Rezoning – Dept of Planning
August 2023
On-street car charging with Ausgrid
September 2023
Waterloo South proceeding and Homes NSW – LAHC and Minister’s
staff
October 2023
People Power: Models that are changing communities and cities –
Kurt Iveson
November 2023
REDWatch AGM and Social get together
REDWatch
Coordination Committee
REDWatch
coordination group meets monthly to resource and coordinate our activities. Our
office bearers meet other community groups, local decision-makers, elected
officials and make written submissions and media statements on a diverse range
of issues.
REDWatch
is a member of the following groups:
- Better
Planning Network - Groundswell
Redfern Waterloo - The
Waterloo NAB’s Waterloo Redevelopment Group - Mirvac
South Eveleigh’s
Community Liaison Group - Mirvac
South Eveleigh’s Advisory Panel - The
Waterloo Human Services Collaborative and Co-ordination Groups
REDWatch
has a strong history of providing a place for people from across the community
to come together to discuss the issues, receive information and creating space
for collective actions. As a part of this REDWatch requests Council and
Government bodies dealing with the local community to present to the community
and answer questions in a community-controlled space.
This
year REDWatch restarted tours of Redfern Waterloo for University groups as a
way of both fundraising and also of sharing the areas stories.
We
will build on all this into the future and we thank everyone for their
continued support.
Adam Antonelli Secretary