ROSS Fitzgerald’s
opinion (“Another time around the Block for urban revival
project”, 20/2) neglects to detail how
Frank Sartor’s plan will
radically alter Redfern’s urban
landscape. Of the eight key sites designed to “kick start the urban
renewal process”, six of them are
re-zoned as business zones of varying descriptions. In many places,
buildings up to 18 storeys will be
permitted. This is not so much urban
renewal as the creation of a second
CBD, along the lines of development at North Sydney
and Chatswood.
Urban renewal should
suggest a process that is
compatible with, and benefits, the community.
In the case of Redfern, any urban renewal must recognise Redfern’s unique heritage;
built, cultural and indigenous. On this point, Fitzgerald consigns the
innovative Pemulwuy initiative to the dustbin of history before a sod of earth
has been turned. This is very unfair.
The team behind Pemulwuy have worked
assiduously to avoid the mistakes of the past. Their redevelopment would mix
affordable housing with community facilities and indigenous-controlled
enterprises that would create employment opportunities for local residents. The
Pemulwuy initiative is not infallible but for the revitalisation of Redfern to
work, the voice of the community must be acknowledged. So far, this has not
been the case.
Verity Firth
Deputy Lord Mayor
City of Sydney