Feedback form the Indigenous Land Corporation’s open house, June 26 2008

 At the Open House community input was invited. Specifically,
three questions were posed:

  1. Which local
    groups might want to access the centre from time to time, or lease space
  2. Which
    activities would you like to see the Centre offering to the local community?
  3. What are the
    significant stories from the site and the local community that may be reflected
    in artworks, landscaping, or in other ways?

Given the nature of the responses, Twyford Consulting have grouped the
answers to these questions in with other more general comments. We then grouped
all comments as follows.

ENVIRONMENTAL        

  • Some (any) green space
  • Plant trees
    outside the site on George Street
    as soon as possible so they can get established
  • Building
    sustainability – 1. Water 2. Sewage 3. Energy
  • Need to
    notify community about contamination issues

PARTNERSHIPS          

  • How can we
    talk about partnerships with local youth services?  We are very keen to collaborate (South Sydney
    Youth Services)
  • What
    partnerships are being offered or expected to occur between the centre and
    local schools?
  • Establish
    good working relationship with local community

FACILITIES      

  • Facilities
    for contemporary music workshops
  • Will
    indigenous businesses be able to lease space?
  • What spaces
    will be available for community groups’ use?
  • A
    playground for local and visiting children. 
    There are less playgrounds in Redfern than all other surrounding suburbs
  • I want to
    come here to play netball
  • How
    accessible will facilities be to local people?
  • Young local
    girls definitely need a netball court for training.  Nothing local for us.  Darlington Dingos has 3 teams = 27
    girls.  Ages 8-12

PROGRAMS    

  • What about
    the concept of a National
    Indigenous Maritime
    Academy in one small
    space
  • Tribal
    warrior would thrive in an environment like this!
  • Training
    program – some focus on practical skills such as plumbing
  • Kids
    breakfast program?
  • Boxing is
    wanted in this community
  • Theatre for
    the kids.  Workshops! Dance!
  • Possible
    users: Check out groups who used to meet at Rachael Forster who have lost their
    meeting place

OPERATIONS  

  • How is it
    going to be managed?  Will the CEO be an
    Aboriginal identified position?
  • A large
    percentage of employees should be indigenous
  • Employment
    for locals – tutoring etc
  • What will
    be the ratio of male and female programs?
  • What
    happens if the organisation running the gym decides to leave?  How will the facilities be maintained?

COMMUNITY IMPACTS

  • Concern
    about how people coming into NIDC will be impacted by clients using drug
    services at rear of new Redfern Community Health Centre and possible resultant
    “honey pot” effect
  • Access to
    field from Cope 87 – Residents currently have access and have had for 5 years –
    Site used heavily for diverse purpose – Redfern has so little open space – this
    access is critical – for all apartment residents with no garden, this space is
    critical

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT/SUPPORT/STORIES     

  • Language –
    interact with local experts to help reclaim local languages
  • Acknowledgement
    of local Aboriginal people who have contributed to the community e.g. naming of
    places, building blocks after them
  • Very
    excited about broad community designed centre. 
    It sounds great
  • Great
    interaction with what’s involved in getting it to this stage – thanks.  Looking forward to it

If you would like any more information about the project
please contact Stuart Waters at Twyford@twyford.com.au or on free call number
1800 11 00 55.