[North Eveleigh] Explorer Street Meeting / CME & Paint Shop News / Redfern CC Neighbourhood Plan / Customer Service / A4PH Forum

[REDWatch Spokesperson]

Dear REDWatch members, supporters and agencies,


REDWatch Meeting July 6 - Explorer Street South Eveleigh Rezoning

Chief Mechanical Engineers (CME) Building Response to Submissions

Paint Shop Precinct lack of Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA)

Redfern Community Centre Neighbourhood Plan Feedback by July 20

Waterloo Human Services Collaborative adopts NSW Customer Commitments

A4PH Forum - No more demolitions: alternatives to public housing redevelopment - July 18
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REDWatch Meeting July 6 - Explorer Street South Eveleigh Rezoning
At the Thursday 6 July 2023 REDWatch meeting the Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) and the Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC) will present an update on the rezoning process for the Explorer Street, South Eveleigh public housing site. DPE is working to progress the rezoning of the Explorer Street site and a concept masterplan with support from LAHC and the City of Sydney planners, who DPE has also invited to attend the REDWatch meeting.
The meeting will be held at 6pm at the Factory Community Centre, 67 Raglan Street, Waterloo. It will also be on Zoom via https://tinyurl.com/RedwatchZoomMeeting<https://tinyurl.com/RedwatchZoomMeeting?fbclid=IwAR0wbWKGpZEyQFnX41X03ypR3cZ5EYRRoHocTP-Bl9d03ExHrUu7aLvqAKo>. You can find a flyer to advertise the meeting online at Explorer Street South Eveleigh Rezoning Flyer for 6 July 2023<http://www.redwatch.org.au/eventnotice/230706redwp/view>.
The DPE rezoning follows and builds upon previous plans prepared by LAHC in 2020 which identified three preliminary concept options. While the design will not be finalised until after the formal public exhibition, expected to occur around September/ October this year, DPE expects the key elements to include maintaining the existing South Sydney Rotary Park in its current location above the Eastern Suburbs Rail line and increasing the amount of housing to accommodate a larger, mixed tenure community on the remaining 1.16 hectares. The adjoining Rowley Street Bridge Housing properties are not covered by the site which is accessed from Henderson Road.
It is not known what LAHC has submitted to DPE as a reference for the rezoning. The only document publically available is the Explorer Street Eveleigh Redevelopment Proposal - Community Information Pack<http://www.redwatch.org.au/RWA/Explorer/201111info/view> from LAHC's 2020 options exhibition. REDWatch suggests that those attending the meeting review the information pack contents as it is not clear what information DPE and LAHC will present to the REDWatch meeting for feedback.
The Redfern Waterloo Authority in 2010 found that the existing housing on the site was "relatively recent", "in good condition and may be retained for some time" (BEP2). In 2020 LAHC proposed to replace the 46 two storey town houses with a mixed development of 430 dwellings of which 120 are proposed to be social housing of a smaller size. The three options proposed by LAHC were up to 14, 16 or 8 storeys on a site currently zoned to retain its existing 2 storey height. The RWA's 2010 Built Environment Plan Two (BEP2) proposed heights of 4-8 storeys on this site but did not change the controls. UrbanGrowth took a different approach to the site, building in the potential future development of operational rail land<http://www.redwatch.org.au/RWA/corridor/150530c2edm/view> to the north which potentially overshadows this site.
As part of the rezoning investigations, DPE has commissioned WSP (formerly Elton Consulting) to develop its earlier work from 2020 and to prepare a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) in relation to the new proposal. In 2020, the SIA team conducted interviews to explore potential social impacts associated with this development including with REDWatch. WSP will re-engage with community organisations
to update the SIA and inform the rezoning proposal. This will be the first SIA for a public housing site DA in the REDWatch area and we are keen to hear community input on what should be covered at mail at redwatch.org.au<mailto:mail at redwatch.org.au>.
This is a rezoning that will set the height, floor space and other controls for this site. What then happens on this site will be determined by LAHC and the new government. Housing Minister Rose Jackson, at the last REDWatch meeting provided the principles that the new government wish to apply to developments of public housing land. You can see an account of what she said on the South Sydney Herald website in the article Minister looks to rework Waterloo South<https://southsydneyherald.com.au/minister-looks-to-rework-waterloo-south/>.
You can learn more about this site on the Explorer Street<http://www.redwatch.org.au/RWA/Explorer> tab of the REDWatch website. The other key sites that currently contain little information are the Explorer Street sites of LAHC<https://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/land-and-housing-corporation/greater-sydney/eveleigh> and DPE<https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/plans-for-your-area/priority-growth-areas-and-precincts/explorer-street-eveleigh>.
Chief Mechanical Engineers (CME) Building Response to Submissions
DPE has released the Transport for NSW (TfNSW) Response to Submissions (RtS) from the Chief Mechanical Engineers (CME) Building exhibition in January and February 2023. The RtS details the key concerns raised by Council, government agencies, community groups and community member submissions. The RtS makes some minor adjustments to the proposal prior to a final determination by the Department of Planning and Environment. As part of this process key documents are updated to reflect the changes made in response to submission. You can see the RtS documents on the DPE website under 505 Wilson Street, Redfern - CME Building.<https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/projects/505-wilson-street-redfern-cme-building> The main summary document is Response to Submissions<https://majorprojects.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/prweb/PRRestService/mp/01/getContent?AttachRef=EXH-53263958%2120230628T022233.944%20GMT>.
One of REDWatch's main concerns during the exhibition was that the Conservation Management Plan (CMP) for this state listed building was not released. A draft CMP was released late in the exhibition period following our request and an updated CMP is one of the documents released as part of the RtS.
Transport has stated in the RtS that "there is no intention to sell the CME building, this was an error made in the lodged documentation. The building will be leased to an appropriate tenant".
Many of the submissions and responses related to the fabric of the building and its surrounds and you can read TfNSW's responses to these issues in the response.
Other issues raised in the CME heritage report, like the importance of sight lines from the CME Building across the former Eveleigh Railway Workshops have been pre-empted by the Paint Shop Precinct determination that set planning controls that allow buildings that interrupt key views to South Eveleigh. The Paint Shop precinct plans predated the CME Exhibition and controls for the site were finalised after the CME exhibition but in time to be used in the RtS to dismiss some issues as already determined as part of the Paint Shop Precinct determination.
The RtS seeks to put an end to requests for the CME building or somewhere else on North Eveleigh to serve as a heritage repository / heritage centre for the site. In response to the request for a heritage use in part of the CME Building TfNSW has said "transport has committed to repurposing the Tank Annex at the Chullora Railway Workshops as a Heritage Hub to collect and display moveable heritage items".
This decision potentially means that heritage items relevant to Eveleigh, like those removed from the Large Erecting Shop or relevant to North Eveleigh are separated from the site they could help interpret. This leaves potential developers with only the buildings to work with for heritage interpretation and means items that can help tell the stories about the people, processes and events are not available to tell the stories of the site or for developers to worry about.
In preparation for the DA application for the work on the CME Building TfNSW have requested and received on 6 April 2023 the Planning Secretary's Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARS) for the redevelopment as SSD-39971796<https://majorprojects.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/prweb/PRRestService/mp/01/getContent?AttachRef=SSD-39971796%2120220405T234908.396%20GMT>. Industry Specific SEARs - Identified Sites and Precincts have been used for the SEARs.
Currently also Artefact Heritage, on behalf of Transport for NSW is  inviting Aboriginal people and Aboriginal groups who hold cultural knowledge relevant to determining the significance of Aboriginal objects and places for the Chief Mechanical Engineers Building (CME Building) at 505 Wilson Street, Redfern to register to be consulted. This can be done by emailing consultation at artefact.net.au<mailto:consultation at artefact.net.au> .
Paint Shop Precinct lack of Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA)
Under the Paint Shop Precinct determination, Council and Transport for NSW were supposed to agree a Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) before the planning controls came into effect at the end of June 2023.
The Paint Shop Precinct determination said:
"Transport for NSW is currently negotiating the terms of a VPA with the City of Sydney. The proposed LEP amendments will include a clause to defer commencement of the provisions until 30 June 2023 to allow for execution of the VPA. This will allow for confirmation of all required infrastructure to support the development of the sub precinct before development approval for any development can be sought." (p46).
There are other mentions of what will be in the VPA in the determination such as 'Transport for NSW has committed to an affordable housing contribution of 15% of total residential floor space to be secured through a VPA.'
There has been no exhibition of a VPA by Council, which is required, and REDWatch understands that Transport for NSW / Transit Asset Holding Entity and Council have been unable to reach an agreement on a VPA. It is not clear to REDWatch as to how the impasse will be resolved, but as of July 1 the controls come into force without a VPA covering the affordable housing, public open space and facilities.
TfNSW in the CME building RtS has said it expects construction at North Eveleigh to start late in 2026. First it has to appoint a developer and prepare the development application documents and gain DA approvals.
You can find out more about the wider proposal on the TfNSW Redfern North Eveleigh Precinct Renewal page<https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/projects/current-projects/redfern-north-eveleigh-precinct-renewal>.
Redfern Community Centre Neighbourhood Plan Feedback by July 20
In late 2022 Council held a consultation about the future of the part of Redfern around the Redfern Community Centre. Council has noted that "this part of Redfern has gone through significant change in recent years. The Aboriginal Housing Company's Pemulwuy redevelopment is nearly complete and new services are opening up. Aboriginal community members have moved back to the Block".
This is a place where many people live, work, study, visit, play, gather and pass through. It's an important place for the local Aboriginal community. The streets, parks, community facilities and public art should reflect the needs and values of the people who share these spaces."
Following earlier input from the community, Council has prepared some draft plans that include redesigning the open space in front of the Redfern Community Centre, making Yellowmundee Park a community garden and Hugo Street Reserve a quite lawn garden. Traffic changes are also proposed including the street closure of Eveleigh Street between Vine and Hudson, and making streets around the Pemulwuy project and the community centre all one way including, Eveleigh, Louis and Hugo and parts of Caroline and Vine. Hart and part of Hudson also become one way. Shared zones, footpath extensions and plantings are also proposed.
Clover Moore at the community meeting on 29 June acknowledged there are a number of issues in the plan still to be resolved. Strong differences emerged about the proposal to remove the full sized basketball court from Hugo Street Reserve and replace it with a single half court along Louis Street in front of the community centre. The proposal removes the area currently used as a stage for community events in front of the community centre, and it has been suggested that the half basketball court could be designed to also be or make way for a temporary stage.
Hugo Street Reserve under the current proposal would then become a quite lawn park with a buffer to properties on Abercrombie Street who have been concerned about noise on their back fence, but moving the activity to in front of the Community Centre has also drawn concerns from residents in Caroline Street about its proposed location.
It was noted by some participants that despite the number of young people in the area increasing from both the student housing and families living in the Pemulwuy Project, a reduction in space for activities for this age group, such as the basketball court was proposed.
Traffic and parking are always vexed issues. The recent narrowing and left turn arrow from Lawson Street at Gibbons Street creates clearance problems and traffic bank ups in Lawson Street for traffic heading to the east and south. This problem has increased the rat run through Eveleigh Street from east bound traffic on Lawson. Some traffic headed north on Gibbons Street, trying to avoid the bank up from the Cleveland and Regent Street intersection,  also use Eveleigh Street. Closing Eveleigh will stop that rat run, but increase traffic easterly bank ups on Lawson. Since the closure of Abercrombie to other than left turn at Cleveland, Lawson and Shepherd are the only ways out of Darlington / West Redfern for cars heading east or towards the city.
The area being redesigned is on the edge of Parking Area 32 and those who live in Lawson Street or those looking for parking in their area would, under the changes proposed, now be diverted down Eveleigh and Vine and Hugo to get to their closest in area alternative parking spots in Caroline Street and potentially do a similar trip to get out of the area.
These are just some of the issues we heard articulated at the Community meeting - you can see the plans and have your say until 20 July 2023 here<https://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/vision-setting/feedback-redfern-neighbourhood-vision-plan>.
Waterloo Human Services Collaborative adopts NSW Customer Commitments
At the June meeting of the Waterloo Human Services Collaborative participating Government, Council and NGOs decided to accept the NSW Customer Commitments<https://www.nsw.gov.au/nsw-government/state-of-customer/commitments> to guide the customer service approach across Collaborative agencies working in Waterloo. NSW Government Departments and Agencies are already supposed to be bringing their customer service approach in line with these state wide commitments. DCJ housing for example have introduced the Housing Practice Standards<https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/download?file=832770> to guide its work with tenants and these standards are in general alignment with the NSW Customer Commitments.
Currently Council and NGOs are not bound by the NSW Commitments but their approach seems consistent with the NSW commitments. Concerns about customer service has been raised by tenants across agencies and the Waterloo Action Plan has been exploring how improvements can be made. This is one of the early actions on customer service coming from that action plan.
The Collaborative decision aims for a common aspirational approach across services to customer service that when implemented will allow for members to report on their customer service implementation of the commitments to each other and to highlight and celebrate good customer service.
In summary the NSW Customer Commitments<https://www.nsw.gov.au/nsw-government/state-of-customer/commitments> are:
Easy to access

  *   Make it easy to access what I need
  *   Make it simple for me to understand
Act with empathy

  *   Show you understand my situation
  *   Treat me fairly and with respect
  *   Provide service in my time of need
Respect my time

  *   Tell me what I need to know beforehand
  *   Minimise the need for me to repeat myself
  *   Make what I need to do straightforward
Explain what to expect

  *   Be clear about what steps are involved
  *   Contact me when I need to know something
  *   Let me know what the outcomes could be
Resolve the situation

  *   Be accountable for your actions
  *   Be clear in decision-making
  *   Reach an outcome
Engage the community

  *   Listen to the community to understand our needs
*         Ask us how we want services delivered
The Collaborative will now set about implementing the decision and continue to work on the many issues covered by the Waterloo Human Services Action Plan.
A4PH Forum - No more demolitions: alternatives to public housing redevelopment - July 18
Action for Public Housing<https://m.facebook.com/actionforpublichousing> is holding a forum at 6pm on Tuesday, July 18, 2023 at Redfern Community Centre (and Zoom) titled No more demolitions: alternatives to public housing redevelopment.
This forum will feature in-person contributions from:
*         OFFICE, a Narrm/Melbourne based non-profit architecture practice, which has developed the RETAIN/REPAIR/REINVEST<https://office.org.au/project/retain-repair-reinvest/> model for public housing based detailed assessments of the Ascot Vale and Barak Beacon estates
*         Hands Off Glebe, a local resident action group which has developed retention and refurbishment proposals for Glebe's Franklyn St and Wentworth Park Road estates*
*         Dr Hannes Frykholm<https://www.sydney.edu.au/architecture/about/our-people/academic-staff/hannes-frykholm.html>, Rothwell Chair Postdoctoral Associate at Sydney University's School of Architecture, Design and Planning, who will discuss international exemplars of renovating and retrofitting public housing.
Presentations from these speakers will be followed by discussion and Q&A.
You can see more details for this event and RSVP via Facebook<https://fb.me/e/sGeOOmbaS>

Regards,

Geoff
Geoffrey Turnbull
REDWatch Co-Spokesperson
Ph Wk: (02) 8004 1490  Mob: 0418 457 392
email: spokesperson at redwatch.org.au<mailto:spokesperson at redwatch.org.au>
web: www.redwatch.org.au<http://www.redwatch.org.au/>
FB: www.facebook.com/RedfernEveleighDarlingtonWaterlooWatch/<http://www.facebook.com/RedfernEveleighDarlingtonWaterlooWatch/>

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