RWA Email Update - 25 July 2011

RWA Email Update

25 July 2011

NEWS

Built Environment Plan Stage 2 (BEP 2) Update

-       Stakeholder Engagement Report

-       Community Facilities Report

-       Future community engagement

Aboriginal Employment Program joins ATP

Barani Book launch – City of Sydney

Media attention for The Block

NAIDOC Week success

Redfern brand continues to gain momentum

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Modification to temporary car parking in Australian Technology Park

WHAT’S ON

1 August – Koori Job Ready Course 3 begins

3 August - Redfern and Waterloo Community Learning and Research Group

4 August – REDWatch meeting with Tanya Plibersek MP

20 August – Saturday in Design

20 August – Master Plan Expo

Eveleigh Farmers’ Market –Saturday 8am to 1pm

Eveleigh Artisan’s Market – last Sunday of the month 10am-3pm

Alexandria Community Garden – 1 and 3rd Saturday of the month

NEWS

Built Environment Plan Stage 2 (BEP 2) Update

Stakeholder Engagement Report

The Redfern-Waterloo Authority (RWA) has released the Stakeholder Engagement Report for the Built Environment Plan 2 (BEP 2). Undertaken by an independent consultant, Mediate Today, the report outlines the community feedback on the draft BEP 2, a planning framework for the renewal of social housing sites in Redfern-Waterloo and South Eveleigh over a 20-25 year timeframe.

The report concludes that a large number of respondents (across all stakeholder groups) generally support the potential changes that BEP 2 outlines. Key findings from the feedback forms are: residents want a safe environment; development caters for the needs of specific groups; and open space encompasses areas for vegetation and recreational facilities.

The Stakeholder Engagement Report will be used in preparation for further studies of the Redfern-Waterloo area and will consider the issues raised in the BEP 2 submissions about providing more detail on the design and allocation of open space and the social impacts of the changes and how these will be supported in the future. The RWA recognises the need to have a far reaching consultative process during this process.

The Stakeholder Engagement Report is available online at www.redfernwaterloo.nsw.gov.au

Community Facilities Report

The Sydney Metropolitan Development Authority (SMDA) and Housing NSW have appointed Cred Community Planning to prepare a report considering future community facility needs in the Redfern-Waterloo area. To date, Cred Community Planning has discussed community facility needs with a number of residents at three of RWA's BEP 2 Community Information Sessions and at two community barbeques. Workshops with non-government and government agencies have also been held. Additional consultation regarding community facilities will continue.

Future community engagement

SMDA and Housing NSW recognise that community engagement and capacity building are integral to future planning. As part of its commitment, Housing NSW has initiated a Master Plan Expo to inform the community regarding the Preliminary Master Plan for Redfern and Waterloo social housing sites. In addition to the Expo, which is being held on Saturday, 20 August 2011 at REDWater Markets, other activities and workshops will be held in the near future on connecting shops and community services, streets, parks and building design. 

Aboriginal Employment Program joins ATP

The Aboriginal Employment Program that mentors and trains young Aboriginal people in construction and hospitality is now based at Australian Technology Park.

Proudly supported by Australian Technology Park Sydney Ltd (ATPSL), the Aboriginal Employment Program manages the Koori Job Ready Program and the Yaama Dhiyaan Hospitality Training School that both run eight-week training courses for students and assists them in finding employment in the construction and hospitality industries.

The program was an initiative of the Redfern-Waterloo Authority but now sits under the ATPSL umbrella. Since the program began in 2006, more than 850 employment opportunities have been created for Aboriginal men and women with this number set to increase with the recent development of 80 positions for Aboriginal employees at the Central Park development on Broadway.

The Aboriginal Employment Program is continuing to achieve excellent outcomes with benefits for both the community and the construction and catering industries as graduates are equipped with the immediate skills they need to work after completing their training.

Barani Book launch – City of Sydney

Barani/Barrabugu (Yesterday/Tomorrow) is a new guide that showcases the history and culture of Aboriginal Sydney, from first contact to today’s living culture. Produced by City of Sydney, the booklet features 60 sites across Sydney that have played a role in the culture of Aboriginal people. The guide describes important sites that reveal these histories, cultures and associations, features several walks as well as suggestions for cultural institutions and organisations to visit. Download your copy from the City of Sydney website at: http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/AboutSydney/VisitorGuidesInformation/HistoricalWalkingTours.asp

Media attention for The Block

A story on the revitalisation on The Block appeared on National Nine News on 21 June, 2011 with reporter Peter Overton interviewing Redfern community members including Mick Mundine from the Aboriginal Housing Company and Shane Phillips from Tribal Warrior on the positive developments happening in the area. The video can be viewed at www.redfernwaterloo.nsw.gov.au/news/index.html

NAIDOC Week success

NAIDOC Week, which ran from 3-10 July 2011, was a big success with lots of activity in the Redfern area to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. A flag ceremony at the Redfern Community Centre marked the start of the week with the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence holding a Family and Sports Day on Friday, 8 July with over 2,500 people attending.

Redfern brand continues to gain momentum

The Redfern brand to promote the area as a welcoming place for both business and visitors continues to gain momentum with more community engagement activities planned for the coming year. You may have already spotted someone wearing a Redfern-branded t-shirt or the Redfern street banners that are currently on display at Redfern St, Lawson St, Regent St, Cleveland St and Chalmers St. You can help promote the Redfern brand through www.facebook.com/redfernwaterloo or at www.twitter.com/redfern. Watch this space for more details about exciting activities taking place in Redfern and the surrounding area.

DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS

Modification to temporary car parking in the Australian Technology Park

An application was received to modify the development consent to temporary car parking in the Australian Technology Park, which proposes to extend the temporary car parking arrangements within the lower, middle and upper car parks until the sites are required for development. The application is on exhibition from 13 July to 3 August, 2011.

WHAT’S ON

1 August – Koori Job Ready Course 3 begins

The Koori Job Ready Course 3 begins covering OH&S (Induction Card), senior First Aid, carpentry, formwork, plastering, concreting, bricklaying, scaffolding and forklift operations. Only a few spots are available so if you are interested in securing a place, please contact Rohan Tobler on 0414 137 816 or email r.tobler@koorijobready.com.au.

3 August - Redfern and Waterloo Community Learning and Research Group

Join the local Redfern-Waterloo research program to identify and progress priorities following on from a workshop held in October 2010 to discuss what a local Research Committee might look like and its core role. Held from 10am-12pm at The Factory Community Centre, 67 Raglan St, Waterloo. Call 9268 3517 for more information.

4 August –REDWatch meeting with Tanya Plibersek MP

The local Federal MP Tanya Plibersek, Minister for Social Services and Social Inclusion, will attend the REDWatch Monthly Meeting to talk about her roles in Government in relation to the local area. From 6pm-8pm at The Factory Community Centre, 67 Raglan St, Waterloo. Contact Geoff Turnbull on 8004 1490 for more information.

20 August – Saturday in Design

Visit furniture store Great Dane on Saturday, 20 August for Saturday in Design, an annual trade event for the design community involving Australia’s premier designer furniture, finishes, fixtures and lighting showrooms. Attracting architects, designers, students and design-savvy members of the public, Eveleigh Farmers Market will be there too providing local food for purchase. 613 Elizabeth St, Redfern from 9am-6pm.

20 August - Redfern Waterloo Urban Renewal Study and Housing NSW Master Plan EXPO

Visit RedWater Markets on 20 August to find out more about the Built Environment Plan Stage 2 (BEP 2), the Redfern Waterloo Urban Renewal Study and the Housing NSW Masterplan. There will be staff available to speak about these activities in more detail and to answer any questions you may have. Redfern Park, Corner of Chalmers St and Redfern St from 8am-4pm.

Eveleigh Farmers’ Market – every Saturday 8am to 1pm
Stock up on fresh produce straight from the farm at Eveleigh Farmers’ Market, an undercover, and traditional weekly Farmers’ Market held in the historic Blacksmith Workshop on Wilson Street in Darlington. Selling unique produce from fresh fruit and vegetables, meats, flowers and gourmet treats, Eveleigh Farmers Market is Sydney’s only ‘rain, hail, shine’ venue with an inspiring heritage backdrop. Eveleigh Farmers’ Market is held every Saturday from 8am to 1pm. For more information, please visit www.eveleighmarket.com.au.

Eveleigh Artisans’ Market – first Sunday of the month, 10am to 3pm

Showcasing the best in Australian independent design, art and crafts, Eveleigh Artisans’ Market takes place on the first Sunday of the month from 10am-3pm under the heritage listed Blacksmith Workshop.

Alexandria Community Garden – 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month

Interested in learning how to grow fruit and vegetables? Join other garden enthusiasts (both novices and experienced) at the Alexandria Community Garden. Working bees take place on the 1^st and 3^rd Saturday of each month at Connect Redfern, Park St, Alexandria.

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