FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
Q1.
What is the Redfern-Waterloo Authority Act 2004?
Q2. What is the Redfern-Waterloo Plan?
Q3. What is the Minister doing about the redevelopment of The Block?
Q4. So what are the plans for public housing in Redfern and Waterloo?
Q5. I am a public housing tenant – will I have to leave my home?
Q6. Is it the Government’s intention to force Aboriginal people,
public housing tenants and low-income earners out of living in the Redfern-Waterloo
area?
Q7. How will the Redfern-Waterloo Authority (RWA) deliver
affordable housing?
Q8. What will happen to heritage buildings?
Q9. What’s happening with Redfern Oval – green space or sports
venue?
Q10. What’s happening with the Redfern Railway Station upgrade?
Q11. What does the Redfern-Waterloo Authority plan to do with
human services in Redfern and Waterloo?
Q12. When will the Redfern Street upgrade proceed?
Q1.
What is the Redfern-Waterloo Authority Act 2004?
The Redfern-Waterloo
Authority Act 2004 is a legal mechanism to facilitate the renewal of Redfern
and Waterloo.
You can view the
legislation on this website by following this link.
Q2.
What is the Redfern-Waterloo Plan?
The Plan is being developed
by the RWA to cover a range of urban renewal, planning, human services,
employment and enterprise issues covering a 10 year period. The first stage of
the Plan will cover the first 3 years of the RWA’s operations and will be
released for community consultation in late 2005.
Q3.
What is the Minister doing about the redevelopment of The Block?
The Minister for
Redfern-Waterloo, Frank Sartor MP, has called for the RWA, the Aboriginal
Housing Company and the broader community to work together to develop a
sustainable solution for the Block and its immediate surrounds.The Government
and many in the community wish to see this meeting place become a positive icon
for the Aboriginal community. Under its Charter, the RWA will also facilitate
affordable Indigenous housing in the area.There is common ground between the
Government and the Block’s owner, the AHC, but there are also some differences
about the amount of housing the Block can sustain. This issue can be resolved
if there is goodwill on all sides, and the Minister has made a public appeal to
the Aboriginal Housing Company to resolve these differences through
constructive dialogue.
Q4.
So what are the plans for public housing in Redfern and Waterloo?
The Government will neither
reduce the amount of public housing in Redfern- Waterloo nor disadvantage its
current residents.
One of the key elements
identified during community consultations in 2003 was the need to provide
better housing options in the area. The renewal of public housing estates will
be investigated. No decision has been made on their future. Public housing
accounts for thirty-five percent of residents and fifty percent of the housing
stock in the area.
The Government is looking
at all the options for the long term future of public housing in Redfern and Waterloo. There will be
substantial consultation with tenants, local organisations and other government
and non-government agencies before any plans for the area are pursued. All tenancies are secure.
The RWA proposes to address
the public housing issue in a detailed way in Stage 2 of the Redfern-Waterloo
Plan.
Q5.
I am a public housing tenant – will I have to leave my home?
No, there are no plans to
redevelop any public housing at this time, with the exception of the proposed Elizabeth Street
development which has been the subject of extensive community consultation.
Q6.
Is it the Government’s intention to force Aboriginal people, public housing
tenants and low-income earners out of living in the Redfern-Waterloo area?
No. The Redfern-Waterloo
Plan is about improving the quality of life for all residents and encouraging
community renewal.
Q7.
How will the Redfern-Waterloo Authority (RWA) deliver affordable housing?
The Redfern-Waterloo
Authority Bill 2004 provides that the Authority should provide and
promote housing choice. Affordable housing levies will be obtained to assist
the achievement of this.
Q8.
What will happen to heritage buildings?
The Redfern-Waterloo
Authority Act 2004 lists important tests before the provisions of the Heritage Act 1977 do not apply. The site has to be
declared as a “State Significant” development and the Minister for
Redfern-Waterloo must be satisfied that the development is essential for
achieving the strategic vision for the improvement of Redfern and Waterloo. The RWA is
currently working on the refurbishment and adaptive reuse of a number of
important heritage buildings.
Q9.
What’s happening with Redfern Oval – green space or sports venue?
Redfern Oval has a great
sporting history and heritage which needs to be maintained. To this end, the
RWA initiated talks about the future of Redfern Oval with the Indigenous Land
Corporation (ILC) and the City of Sydney,
which owns the site. The Minister and the RWA urged the Lord Mayor to seriously
consider the ILC proposal to buy or lease the site for a centre of Indigenous
sporting and cultural excellence, which would also respect the Oval’s proud
rugby league history and heritage.(The South Sydney Rabbitohs are keen to see Redfern
Oval once again be able to host some home games each year.) Unfortunately, the
ILC has been advised the Lord Mayor does not support Indigenous management and
control of Redfern Oval and wishes to see the Oval be essentially converted
into a park, alongside the existing Redfern
Park. Despite this, the
RWA will continue talks with the ILC about investing in the area to benefit the
local Indigenous community. The future of Redfern Oval will continue to be a
matter for the City of Sydney.
Q10.
What’s happening with the Redfern Railway Station upgrade?
Redfern Railway Station is
one of the busiest stations on Sydney’s
metropolitan network and is close to full capacity.
As part of the
infrastructure proposals, Redfern Railway Station will be redeveloped. When
ready, an option for the design of the new Station will be released for public
consultation. The redevelopment will improve access to the rail network,
provide additional capacity to meet future patronage growth, and allow people
with disabilities to use the service. It will help connect the Redfern town
centre with the Station by creating a pedestrian plaza. An upgrade to the
Station and adjoining land will provide better services for commuters,
including those who are disabled, and create a range of retail and commercial
opportunities for businesses.
Q11.
What does the Redfern-Waterloo Authority plan to do with human services in
Redfern and Waterloo?
The RWA is working with NSW
government agencies, local organisations and the community to develop a human
services system that better meets the needs of the people in Redfern and Waterloo.
We are doing this by:
- Developing Stage 1 of a 10 year Human Services
Plan which reviews structures, development of programs, access and
funding. - Undertaking broad consultation with the
community on the development of the Human Services Plan. - Focusing on outcomes for children, families,
youth, Aboriginal people and disadvantaged people.
Q12.
When will the Redfern Street
upgrade proceed?
The City of Sydney has allocated $20 m
for the upgrades of Redfern and Regent streets. The City has advised the RWA
that works will commence in 2006 and be completed the following year. The RWA
will be liaising closely with the city and with the RTA on associated traffic
management issues.
This text appeared on 7
October 2005 at http://www.redfernwaterloo.nsw.gov.au/faq/index.html