REDWatch is concerned that the REF
process is preceding the preparation of the Concept Plan and rezoning. It is
important that this development be closely coordinated to avoid the problems
experienced in the past.

Recommendation 1: Alignment with
Concept Plan

REDWatch requests that the findings
from the Concept Plan consultation and the draft Concept Plan inform the
Demolition REF and that as far as possible the demolition be aligned with the findings
of the draft Concept Plan.

Recommendation 2: Alignment with the
SIA and SIMP

REDWatch requests the implementation of
the demolition be in accordance with the findings and recommendations from the
Waterloo South Social Impact Assessment (SIA) and its preliminary Social Impact
Management Plan (SIMP) to ensure that the demolition is in line with what has
been learnt from the concept plan SIA consultation. Any Concept Plan identified
social impacts requiring mitigation should also be mitigated similarly during the
demolition.

This should be possible given the time
line for the preparation of the Concept Plan and the timeline of the REF and
the appointment of contractors.

Recommendation 3: Worker training on
dealing with people with complex issues

Of particular concern to REDWatch is
that all people working on the demolition site receive training that prevents
adverse interactions with tenants and others with complex issues. Such training
should take a trauma informed approach and focus on conflict avoidance, de-escalation
and where possible provision of supports.

Supports and respite may be required those
in proximity to the site for people with complex issues or those on shift work
that sleep during the day.

This will be the first work on the
Waterloo Estate site and it will need to overcome the legacy of interactions
between locals and the Waterloo Metro site developer that saw off-duty police
needing to be paid by the developer so that work on the site could be
undertaken. From the start the Waterloo redevelopment needs to handle this much
better.

REDWatch has suggested that this
provision should be part of a draft SIMP.

Recommendation 4: Rodent and Vermin
Control

Rats were a major problem during the
Waterloo Metro demolition and Homes NSW needs to have a control process in
place prior to and during the demolition to minimise impact of vermin migrating
of the demolition site and impacting those who live around the demolition site.

This should be done in coordination
with the City of Sydney and may require a heavy baiting program leading up to
demolition as well as demolition controls.

Recommendation 5: Keep the surrounding
community informed

REDWatch would expect there will likely
be periods where there are breaks when the site is not working. REDWatch recommends
to keep the community advised as to when there will be work and breaks on the
site. This is important as it lets people know when they may be impacted by
noise, dust and lights and allows them to organise their time and activity
accordingly. This predictability can provide useful respite periods when people
know there will be no work on the site.

This is especially important for
neighbours who may be shift workers, have sound sensitivities or who are
operating with health isssues. Think about how you minimise the impact of the
demolition and maximise respite opportunities for those living around the site.

Recommendation 6: Demolish the
buildings but not the trees

As it is not known how long it will
take to get DA approval and Homes NSW has indicated an intent to lay turf to
create an interim park, REDWatch suggests that the tree demolition be left
until the area is excavated for basement construction. The tree cover will make
the place more desirable and also help provide shading to the turf.

Consideration needs to be given to how
the turf will be watered and maintained when the area is operating as a park.

Recommendation 7: Recycle materials

To help minimise the carbon footprint
of the demolition all materials should be recycled rather than go to landfill.
Homes NSW should have a process in place to ensure its contractor meets this
requirement.

Recommendation 8: Have a Green travel
Plan

Explore provision of on-site tool
lockers that allow workers on the site to use public transport or car-pooling
to get to the site and to minimise the impact of worker parking on surrounding
streets. Disagreements over parking between locals and construction workers has
been an issue on developments in the area due to the areas limit parking and competition
for it.

Recommendation 9: Truck movements

Enforce requirements for no queuing or
marshalling of trucks on public road, especially around the estate. Also ensure
entry and exits via Wellington Street and Botany Road and that all loads are
covered to minimise impacts along the travel route.

Make sure that traffic wardens have
received training in dealing with people with complex issues. This is
especially important for those who will operate away from the site on
Wellington Street who will be in close proximity to Oz Harvest crowds and
public housing.

Recommendation 10: Explore the
extension of Meanwhile Use

REDWatch supports public housing waiting
for redevelopment being used for meanwhile use and would like to see this
practice expanded as the CHP manager gains more experience. Ideally, we would
like to maximise the housing used for meanwhile use and to keep properties occupied
up to the point immediately prior to redevelopment. This is especially
important given the homelessness and emergency accommodation problem in Sydney.

Ideally knocking down housing to
prevent vandalism and anti-social behaviour should be replaced by a mechanism
to better use the existing stock for temporary accommodation.

Recommendation 11: Be transparent

While Homes NSW has access to the REF
process we encourage Homes NSW to use processes that take the community with
them on the redevelopment journey even if those processes are not usually part
of the REF or acceleration process.

Tenants around the site should be made
aware of what is proposed and be given the opportunity to comment on what is
proposed even if this is not required as part of the statutory process.

Homes NSW and Stockland, working in a
community with many vulnerable people need to be a best practice developer and
be seen to be making an effort to involve people and take their situation into
consideration.

Conclusion

REDWatch welcomes the opportunity to
make a submission on the Waterloo South Stage 1 Demolition REF and trusts that
the above recommendations will be given due consideration if they are not
already covered in Homes NSW’s planning for the demolition.

Thank
you for the opportunity to comment on this proposal.