STATEMENT ON REDFERN-WATERLOO
Following is a response from Minister for
Redfern-Waterloo Frank Sartor on
last night’s community meeting.
In October 2004, Cabinet decided it would not support
re-concentrating high-dependency housing on the Block.
Since then, the NSW Government has established the
Redfern-Waterloo Authority, with the support of the major political parties, to
tackle complex issues in the area and drive urban renewal.
The Government is now finalising the draft Built
Environment Plan to revitalise the Redfern-Waterloo area, create new jobs and
opportunities and set parameters for future development, including:
- Create around 18,000 new jobs with a focus on the local workforce;
- Establish Aboriginal enterprises and cultural facilities;
- Increase housing choice through around 2,000 new dwellings;
- Upgrade Redfern Railway Station; and
- Establish cultural and community facilities.
Community consultation on the draft plan included:
-
two months’
public exhibition until 14
April 2006; -
15,000
newsletters advising residents of the exhibition of the draft plan and public
meetings; -
2,000 copies of
the draft plan were sent to stakeholders, key organisations and interest groups
and community members; -
public meeting
at Redfern Town Hall on 4 March (attended by around
150 people); -
information and
feedback sessions every day for two weeks, from 27 February to 10 March and
more.
The NSW Government has also just released the final
Employment and Enterprise Plan for Redfern-Waterloo after public consultation (with
more detail on how the Government will create 18,000 new jobs for
Redfern-Waterloo over the next decade.)
The detailed plan for these jobs includes:
- Supporting small business growth and hiring local unemployed people
through partnerships with state, federal and local governments; and - Establishing programs to train locals to fill skills shortages, in
particular industries located outside Redfern-Waterloo.”
The NSW Government continues to improve opportunities
for the local Indigenous community, including:
- May 2005 – Redfern-Waterloo Authority signs the Jobs Compact with
the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union, to work with
employers to improve job skills in the local community and create job
opportunities. The deal requires all contracts for construction on
State-owned land in Redfern-Waterloo to include tougher provisions aimed
at increasing on-site work and training opportunities for locals,
particularly indigenous residents. A
total 105 jobs for Indigenous people already created.
- July 2006 – Plans unveiled for the National Indigenous Development
Centre, to establish a new precinct for up to 5,000 young people a year
and showcase Indigenous culture. Total government and private sector
commitment is expected to exceed $34 million.
- (Expected October 2006) – first course to start at a new Training
Centre at North Eveleigh Railyards, to maximise training opportunities for
Indigenous people. Up to 120 people are expected to undergo training in
the first 12 months, through the $700,000 Redfern-Waterloo
Authority-funded project.
- Indigenous Enterprise Hub established at the Redfern-Waterloo
Authority’s Redfern office to support Indigenous business owners. The
Authority has developed partnerships with the NSW Department of State and
Regional Development and the Commonwealth Dept Employment and Workplace
Relations.
- Redfern-Waterloo Authority has committed $300,000 to restore the
former pre-school building opposite the Block, for use as a training
centre for the Metropolitan Aboriginal Association Incorporated.
- Redfern-Waterloo Authority negotiated a deal with NSW Maritime and
Sydney Ferries for Tribal Warrior to start Aboriginal Cultural Harbour
Cruises from November 2005.
- Four workshops delivered each year on key business topics, to boost
local business skills and help Indigenous people with business planning
and financing. A workshop planned for late 2006 will focus on Aboriginal
construction companies.
- Rolling out three Young Achievement Australia Business Skills
programs for young Aboriginal people in 2006. The first has begun, working
with young mothers in the area. The programs teach business skills and
look at creating job opportunities and contributing to the economic
development of the Indigenous community.
- November 2005 – first fishing clinics for Indigenous boys held in Port
Stephens, with 15 boys aged 12-16 years attending Alexandria Park
Community School.
The boys were accompanied by ten respected men from the local Aboriginal
community who acted as mentors for the boys.