Seven Network moves
to Redfern
Boost for local
jobs
As a result of a
landmark agreement between the Redfern-Waterloo Authority and Sydney Broadcast
Property – a joint venture of Rebel Property Group and Seven – the TV network
is moving its Sydney production division and magazine publishing company,
Pacific Magazines to the Australian Technology Park.
NSW Premier Morris lemma announced the agreement on 28 June
2006.This will see the largest commercial development in Redfern for at least
10 years and the first commercial building at the ATP to be developed by the
private sector.
`This is a major strategic investment that will kick-start
employment and further boost the economic revitalisation of Redfern and Waterloo,’ Premier Morris
lemma said.
Sydney Broadcast Property will invest more than $120 million
in the design and construction of the 43,500 sqm centre, including a
state-of-the-art, high definition television production facility and commercial
offices. Seven and Pacific Magazines will occupy approximately 18,000 sqm of
the new development, with Seven leasing the studio to produce a variety of
programs including Home and Away and All Saints.
David Leckie, CEO of The Seven Network, has stated: ‘Our
move to Australian
Technology Park
is a significant move for Seven and Pacific Magazines. We are delighted to be
working closely with the NSW Government and Rebel Property Group in ensuring
that this new centre becomes the leading creative hub for media in Australia.’
Minister for Redfern-Waterloo, Frank Sartor, said the new
media hub would be a major drawcard in attracting similar businesses to
Redfern. The development is expected to generate more than 600 construction
jobs and, on completion, add 2000 permanent jobs to the ATP workforce.
This will increase the number of jobs in Redfern and Waterloo by up to 20%.’As
part of the deal, 60 construction jobs will be provided for indigenous
workers,’ Frank Sartor said.
‘It also provides for ongoing employment for local residents
once the media production centre is built’
Work is expected to commence later this year with completion
by the end of 2008. Further aspects of the deal include:
- A
1.4 hectare site valued at $13.1 million will be leased to Sydney
Broadcast Services for 88 years; - The
developer will provide 350 car spaces for the ATP and an additional 365
for the TV studios and offices; and - The
developer will spend $2.6 million on infrastructure including landscaping
and road works.
Robert Domm, CEO
of the Redfern Waterloo Authority, said he believes that ‘the $120 million
development negotiated by the RWA is a significant milestone in Australian Technology Park’s
development.’
‘These high profile companies have expressed their
confidence in the park’s future by their decision to relocate and this will
generate much greater investment interest in the park’s growth. Existing ATP
tenants and local business will be presented with real business opportunities
as a result of this exciting new development,’ Robert
Domm said.
Redfern Station
redevelopment
The Seven announcement follows the news that a tender has
been advertised for design consultants to investigate the options for the
redevelopment of Redfern Station on behalf of the RWA and RailCorp. Tenders are
currently being assessed and a consultant is expected to be appointed by the
end of July.
Photos:
- Sydney Broadcast Property Director
Allen Linz, NSW Premier Morris Iemma, Minister Frank Sartor, Member for
Heffron, Kristina Keneally and RWA Director Urban Renewal, Richard Clark. - An artist’s impression of the Seven
Network building on the western side of the Australian Technology
Park. - An artist’s impression of the new Seven
Network building as seen from the north.
Employment and
Enterprise Plan released: 18,000 local jobs
in next 10 years
Minister for Redfern
Waterloo, Frank Sartor, has released a comprehensive plan to generate 18,000
jobs for the Redfern-Waterloo area over the next decade.
Minister Sartor said he was pleased to deliver the final
Employment and Enterprise Plan, after a draft was released in December last
year for public consultation.
‘This plan is already off to a strong start, with the recent
landmark agreement to build a new television production centre at the
Australian Technology Park (ATP),’ Frank Sartor said.
The $120 million ATP agreement with Sydney Broadcast
Property and Pacific Magazines will increase jobs in Redfern and Waterloo by up to 20%.
Most of the future growth will be generated by commercial development on State
Significant Sites in the area, including the ATP
‘It shows our approach is working and we will continue to
deliver more job opportunities and training in Redfern and Waterloo, to help turn around social
disadvantage: the Minister said.
The overall Employment Plan complements the Built
Environment Plan, which will drive urban -renewal and jobs-growth; -and-the-Human Services
Plan, which will improve youth services, childcare, literacy and other human
services programs. Under the Employment and Enterprise Plan, strategies will be
coordinated to stimulate jobs growth through commercial development and other
means.
‘Wealth creation is essential for the area to move forward
in a constructive way. Almost one-third of Redfern-Waterloo’s population
receives income support, 40% live in public housing, and almost four
in 10 households have a weekly income of less than $400:
said Frank Sartor.
The final Employment and Enterprise plan also aims to:
- Facilitate
a research and innovation zone running from the University of Sydney
and UTS to the ATP by improving physical connectivity; - Support
small business growth and the hiring of local unemployed people through
partnerships with State, Federal and Local Governments; and - Establish
programs to train locals to fill skills shortages, in particular
industries located outside Redfern-Waterloo.
Photo: Member for
Heffron, Kristina Keneally, Minister Frank Sartor, Premier Morris Iemma with
apprentice plumber Dale Perry who is working for JR Keith Pty Ltd on building
construction at the ATP and the RWA’s Project Manager, Terry Kelly.
Boost for
indigenous training
600 permanent jobs will be created by 2007 with the
Redfern-Waterloo Authority’s construction of the $47.5 million Building D at
the ATE
105 jobs for local indigenous workers have already been
delivered under the Redfern-Waterloo Authority Jobs Compact between the
Redfern-Waterloo Authority and the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy
Union.
Further a cross-cultural training and employment program in
Indigenous cuisine will be established at North Eveleigh
as part of a new $700,000 vocational training facility.
The NSW Government will use its landmark Indigenous
Employment Model to require successful construction tenderers to engage
Aboriginal employees.
The Employment and Enterprise Plan is
available at www.redfernwaterloo.com.au
Indigenous Youth
Centre for Redfern
A national centre for
Indigenous youth will be built in Sydney
following the sale of the former Redfern Public School to the Indigenous Land
Corporation.
Plans for the National Indigenous Development Centre (NIDC)
were unveiled in Redfern on 11 July 2006 by NSW Minister for Redfern Waterloo,
Frank Sartor, and Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC) Chairperson Shirley
McPherson.
They were joined at the event by NSW Minister for Aboriginal
Affairs Milton Orkopoulos, Member for Heffron Kristina Keneally and Rev. Bill
Crews of the Exodus Foundation.
Federal Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Mal Brough, said
the Australian Government, through the ILC, had made $14.8 million available to
purchase the site from the NSW Department of Education.
Along with plans to gain private sector involvement in the
redevelopment, the total commitment is expected to exceed $34 million.
Frank Sartor said the Redfern Waterloo Authority had helped
negotiate the deal to establish a new youth precinct and showcase for
Indigenous culture.
Education,
training, jobs, culture
‘The best way to improve the circumstances of Indigenous
families in Redfern and Waterloo
is by supporting a range of opportunities in education and employment,’ Frank
Sartor said.
The new NIDC will help young people from this area and other
communities achieve their full potential through mentoring, training and
learning initiatives. It is expected to help up to 5000 young people each year,
when fully operational.
Shirley McPherson said redevelopment of the former Redfern Public School site was expected to
commence early next year and is due for completion in 2009.
‘The ILC is proud to be taking a leading role in redeveloping
the former Redfern
Public School site for
the benefit of current and future generations,’ Shirley McPherson said.
Rev. Bill Crews of the Exodus Foundation said: ‘This
development is a new deal for Redfern.
It represents a fresh start, and will provide young
Aboriginal people with the means to lift themselves out of the poverty trap.’
Plans for the NIDC include a new 25-metre heated swimming
pool and sports training field.
The redevelopment includes construction of new multi-use
classrooms and accommodation and dining facilities for up to 100 people.
The existing Murawina Child Care Centre and four school
buildings (including two heritage-listed buildings) will be refurbished.
The NIDC will accommodate a number of established programs,
including:
- The Exodus Foundation, which will
establish a tutorial centre for children aged 10-14; - The National Aboriginal Sports
Corporation Australia, which runs a number of sporting and life
development programs for Indigenous people encouraging health lifestyles through
sport and education; and - The Lloyd McDermott Rugby Development
Team, which provides opportunity for Indigenous youth to become
involved in rugby union, netball and golf.
Illustration: An
artist’s impression of the new national centre for Indigenous youth in Redfern.
Visit the RWA
Website
The RWA’s website is up and running at www.redfernwaterloo.com.au The
site will keep you informed about our activities and provide an opportunity for
community feedback.
Need
Assistance?
For more information or to send us your feedback please
contact the Redfern-Waterloo Authority, Level 11,Tower 2, 1 Lawson Square, Redfern
Tel: (02) 9202 9100 Fax: (02) 9202 9111 Mail: PO Box 3332, Redfern
NSW 2016 Email: redfernwaterloo@rwa.nsw.gov.au
ARTICLES
INSIDE: PLAN FOR 18 000 JOBS IN
10 YEARS • NEW INDIGENOUS YOUTH CENTRE