[North Eveleigh] Exhibitions and events - Explorer St / Waterloo Metro / Redfern Station / RCC Parks / Waterloo / REDWatch
Geoff Turnbull (REDWatch Spokesperson)
spokesperson at redwatch.org.au
Mon Oct 16 12:30:07 AEDT 2023
Dear REDWatch members, supporters and agencies,
Explorer Street South Eveleigh public housing rezoning proposal - exhibition until 17 November
See Waterloo Metro Station - Open Day 29 October 2023
Redfern Southern Concourse opens & Thank You function - 27 October
Revised Redfern Community Centre neighbourhood parks plan - Exhibition until 27 October
Waterloo South Newsletter / Update
REDWatch concerns about LAHC lead Waterloo South human services
Recording of People Power: Models that are changing communities and cities
REDWatch Get together and AGM 2nd Nov
Please note - this email contains hyperlinks. This means that if you see a blue underlined word or phrase that you can click on it and go directly to a document or to get more information.
Explorer Street South Eveleigh public housing rezoning proposal - exhibition until 17 November
The Explorer Street South Eveleigh public housing rezoning proposal is on exhibition until Friday 17 November 2023. The area proposed for redevelopment includes social housing dwellings on Explorer Street, Station Place and Aurora Place, but not nearby properties in Rowley Street, which are managed by Bridge Housing.
The proposal is to replace the existing 46 public housing townhouses with up to 400 units of which 30% (up to 120) would be social housing and 20% (up to 80) would be affordable housing based on income. The balance would be private units. The proposal is to deliver 20% of the affordable housing (up to 16) as Aboriginal affordable housing.
The proposal includes buildings from 4 to 13 storeys and proposes a floor space of 2.94 times the residential land area (FSR 2.94:1).
The South Sydney Rotary Park to the south of the development is proposed to be upgraded with a requirement that 50% of the open space is to receive sunlight for a minimum of 4 hours between 9am to 3pm during the shortest day of the year. The proposal also seeks to maintain and upgrade the existing streets (Explorer Street and Aurora Place) with new kerbs, footpaths, street trees and basement parking across two levels for 245 cars.
There are three sites with information about the proposal:
* DPE's Priority growth areas and precincts site for Explorer Street Eveleigh<https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/plans-for-your-area/priority-growth-areas-and-precincts/explorer-street-eveleigh> has and overview and summary details of the proposal and consultation links as well as a link to the newsletter / information pack (PDF, 544 KB)<https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-10/explorer-street-eveleigh-rezoning-proposal.pdf> to find out more information.
* The rezoning proposal and technical studies can be found on the NSW Planning Portal page for the exhibition<https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/draftplans/exhibition/explorer-street-rezoning-proposal> and submissions can also be made through this page on the portal.
* Land and Housing Corporation's Explorer Street Eveleigh<https://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/land-and-housing-corporation/greater-sydney/eveleigh> also has some information.
REDWatch has also posted the media release from Ministers Scully and Jackson on the REDWatch website at Have your say on rezoning plans for Explorer Street in Eveleigh. <http://www.redwatch.org.au/RWA/Explorer/231013sj>
The key documents for this exhibition are:
* Explanation of Intended Effect<https://shared-drupal-s3fs.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/master-test/fapub_pdf/NSW+Planning+Portal+Documents/Explorer+Street+-+Explanation+of+Intended+Effect.pdf> - This document sets out the changes to planning controls as part of the rezoning and the concept scheme developed by DPE that is used for the proposal. It includes the statutory changes proposed to be included in the City of Sydney Local Environment Plan.
* Draft Design Guide<https://shared-drupal-s3fs.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/master-test/fapub_pdf/NSW+Planning+Portal+Documents/Explorer+Street+-+Draft+Design+Guide.pdf> - This design guide is proposed to guide the redevelopment. It has a lesser planning weight than the LEP changes but must be considered like a development control plan.
Technical studies - These studies consider the issues required to be assessed in making a decision about the rezoning. As this rezoning was started with the City of Sydney it reflects Council's requirements. As a result the studies includes a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) that would not normally be required by DPE until the Development Application stage. REDWatch has argued that rezoning of public housing estates should have a SIA as early as possible in the planning process, because as soon as an announcement is made to redevelop the impacts start on those living there.
* Aboriginal Objects Due Diligence Assessment<https://shared-drupal-s3fs.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/master-test/fapub_pdf/NSW+Planning+Portal+Documents/Explorer+Street+-+Aboriginal+Objects+Due+Diligence+Assessment.pdf>
* Archaeological Assessment <https://shared-drupal-s3fs.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/master-test/fapub_pdf/NSW+Planning+Portal+Documents/Explorer+Street+-+Archaeological+Assessment.pdf>
* Biodiversity Report <https://shared-drupal-s3fs.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/master-test/fapub_pdf/NSW+Planning+Portal+Documents/Explorer+Street+-+Biodiversity+Report.pdf>
* Design Report<https://shared-drupal-s3fs.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/master-test/fapub_pdf/NSW+Planning+Portal+Documents/Explorer+Street+-+Design+Report.pdf>
* Designing With Country Report<https://shared-drupal-s3fs.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/master-test/fapub_pdf/NSW+Planning+Portal+Documents/Explorer+Street+-+Design+Report.pdf>
* Public Art Framework<https://shared-drupal-s3fs.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/master-test/fapub_pdf/NSW+Planning+Portal+Documents/Explorer+Street+-+Public+Art+Framework.pdf>
* Flood Assessment Report<https://shared-drupal-s3fs.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/master-test/fapub_pdf/NSW+Planning+Portal+Documents/Explorer+Street+-+Flood+Assessment+Report.pdf>
* Geotechnical Study<https://shared-drupal-s3fs.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/master-test/fapub_pdf/NSW+Planning+Portal+Documents/Explorer+Street+-+Geotechnical+Study.pdf>
* Heritage Impact Assessment<https://shared-drupal-s3fs.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/master-test/fapub_pdf/NSW+Planning+Portal+Documents/Explorer+Street+-+Heritage+Impact+Assessment.pdf>
* Landscape Design Report<https://shared-drupal-s3fs.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/master-test/fapub_pdf/NSW+Planning+Portal+Documents/Explorer+Street+-+Landscape+Design+Report.pdf>
* Lighting Strategy<https://shared-drupal-s3fs.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/master-test/fapub_pdf/NSW+Planning+Portal+Documents/Explorer+Street+-+Lighting+Strategy.pdf>
* Noise and Vibration Impact Assessment<https://shared-drupal-s3fs.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/master-test/fapub_pdf/NSW+Planning+Portal+Documents/Explorer+Street+-+Noise+and+Vibration+Impact+Assessment.pdf>
* Social Infrastructure and Impact Assessment<https://shared-drupal-s3fs.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/master-test/fapub_pdf/NSW+Planning+Portal+Documents/Explorer+Street+-+Social+Infrastructure+and+Social+Impact+Assessment.pdf>
* Stormwater Management Report<https://shared-drupal-s3fs.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/master-test/fapub_pdf/NSW+Planning+Portal+Documents/Explorer+Street+-+Stormwater+Management+Report.pdf>
* Sustainability Framework<https://shared-drupal-s3fs.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/master-test/fapub_pdf/NSW+Planning+Portal+Documents/Explorer+Street+-+Sustainability+Framework.pdf>
* Transport Impact Assessment<https://shared-drupal-s3fs.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/master-test/fapub_pdf/NSW+Planning+Portal+Documents/Explorer+Street+-+Transport+Impact+Assessment.pdf>
* Utilities & Infrastructure Servicing Assessment<https://shared-drupal-s3fs.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/master-test/fapub_pdf/NSW+Planning+Portal+Documents/Explorer+Street+-+Utilities+and+Infrastructure+Servicing+Assessment.pdf>
* Visual Impact Assessment <https://shared-drupal-s3fs.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/master-test/fapub_pdf/NSW+Planning+Portal+Documents/Explorer+Street+-+Visual+Impact+Assessment.pdf>
You can find out more at one of these information sessions:
* Webinar - Thursday 26 October 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm Register now<https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/a2a20e29-eab2-4cb2-b159-ff1921f6167a@96ef8821-2a39-471c-b89a-67b0833dd3b9>
* Drop-in session - general community* - Saturday 28 October 12 pm to 2 pm 2 Davy Road, Eveleigh Register now<https://forms.office.com/r/g2ZK5dg9U8>
* Drop-in session - general community* - Tuesday 31 October 5 pm to 6:30 pm 2 Davy Road, Eveleigh Register now<https://forms.office.com/r/zn4u8dd0PT>
* Talk to a planner session Friday 3 November Book a 15-minute session<https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/ExplorerStreet@EnvironmentNSWGov.onmicrosoft.com/bookings/>
* Talk to a planner session Wednesday 8 November Book a 15-minute session<https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/ExplorerStreet@EnvironmentNSWGov.onmicrosoft.com/bookings/>
*Note: Drop in Sessions just for Explorer Street tenants are also being organised.
Submissions - need to be made by 17 November 2023 on line on the NSW Planning Portal page for the exhibition<https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/draftplans/exhibition/explorer-street-rezoning-proposal>.
REDWatch will go through the documents and raise any concerns on the Explorer Street tab<http://www.redwatch.org.au/RWA/Explorer> of its website or on our Facebook page<http://www.facebook.com/RedfernEveleighDarlingtonWaterlooWatch/>.
After the official information sessions REDWatch proposes to hold a community meeting to discuss the proposal and people's reactions to it, possibly with other resident groups that are close to the site, like ARAG and FOE. Details will follow when finalised.
See Waterloo Metro Station - Open Day 29 October 2023
On Sunday 29 October 2023 you can get a first look at the new Waterloo Station - one of Sydney Metro's new stations preparing for passenger services in 2024. You will be able to take a self-guided visit and meet the team delivering Waterloo Station. Visitors will have the opportunity to access the station, see some of the public art and walk along the concourse and new metro platforms.
To attend you need to book here.<https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/community-open-day-at-waterloo-station-tickets-734509907907?aff=oddtdtcreator> Visit slots for starting the tour are available at 10 minute intervals from 9.30am until 12.20pm. Slots are limited and people who have not booked may be denied access. Please carefully read and agree to the terms and conditions<https://www.sydneymetro.info/media/document/37041> .
Most visits are expected to last 45-60 minutes. Details of the meeting place at Waterloo Station will be provided once your booking is finalised.
Redfern Southern Concourse opens & Thank You function - 27 October
On 8 October 2023, the Southern Concourse was opened by the Premier with no locals, including local media invited. The new Concourse will provide lift access to the 10 above ground platforms at Redfern.
The Eastern Suburbs underground line is still not accessible by lift and those arriving at the Southern Concourse will have quite a walk and no lifts to access the underground platforms. Transport for NSW (TfNSW) has advised that lift access to platforms 11 and 12 will likely wait until planning is complete for the 14 storey building zoned to be built above the Eastern Suburbs line. This building is also expected to provide a proper disability grade access to buses. The underground station has been identified as a fire risk as it is only assessable from one direction.
As part of the upgrade new pedestrian crossings have been provided to assist those using the Southern Concourse to cross Gibbons and Regent Streets although the desire lines to and from buses and the new pedestrian lights have not yet been optimised.
There are steps on the Marian Street side but the lift on platform 10 goes to the main concourse and the exit gate level as well as platform 10. The stairs from platform 10 to South Eveleigh were removed on the day of the opening and replaced by stairs to the new exit.
The big win for the local community is that they will be able to cross from one side to the other without having to tap on and off through barriers. Barriers have to be used by those going to and from the platforms but a "Community Access" gate at each end is open for pedestrian traffic just crossing from one side to the other. On the first day of operation we saw bicycle riders taking their bikes across the bridge and people walking their dogs.
This is the only platform on the network where the local community and rail patrons share a common concourse. The signs had to be made specially. The drawback of this arrangement is that local access will be closed when the station is closed between approximately 1.30 am to 4.30am.
REDWatch, as part of the wider "Lift Redfern" Campaign presented a petition to Parliament with over 10,000 signatures for lifts at Redfern Station in May 2012. This resulted in a single lift installed to platforms 6&7 at the northern end in November 2015. With only 10 platforms still accessible by lifts, it will likely be many more years before Redfern Station is fully accessible. Change takes a long time!
The TfNSW project team would like to thank local residents, nearby businesses and key stakeholders for their involvement in the project, and patience and understanding during construction. To show its appreciation, TfNSW is inviting locals to a community event for the Redfern Station Upgrade on Friday 27 October from 12-2:30pm at the Marian Street station entrance. The event will be an opportunity to come together and celebrate the opening of the Upgrade. Light refreshments will be provided. If you wish to attend please email to projects at transport.nsw.gov.au<mailto:projects at transport.nsw.gov.au>. REDWatch has told TfNSW that we will let those who campaigned to "Lift Redfern" also know about the event.
You can find out more about the Concourse on the TfNSW project website - Redfern Station Upgrade - New Southern Concourse<https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/projects/current-projects/redfern-station-upgrade-new-southern-concourse>. This includes a Time-lapse of the Redfern Station Upgrade project<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWOc9g5fCeo> and the Community notification: completion newsletter October 2023 (PDF, 2.28 MB)<https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/system/files/media/documents/2023/Redfern%20Station%20Upgrade%20-%20Completion%20Newsletter%20-%20October%202023.pdf>.
Revised Redfern Community Centre neighbourhood parks plan - Exhibition until 27 October
On 12 October 2023, Council held a meeting at the Redfern Community Centre (RCC) to present its revised plans for Redfern Community Centre open space, Yellowmundee Park and Hugo Street Reserve. This Redfern neighbourhood vision and plan (revised)<https://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/-/media/corporate/files/projects/vision-setting/your-say-revised-redfern-neighbourhood-vision-plan/redfern-neighbourhood-vision-and-plan---revised-october-2023.pdf?download=true> PDF * 12.28 MB is now on public exhibition on the City's website at city.sydney/redfern-sys<https://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/vision-setting/your-say-revised-redfern-neighbourhood-vision-plan> until 27 October 2023. If you have any questions, please contact Gareth Jenkins, Senior Community Engagement Coordinator - City Engagement, on 02 9265 9333 or at sydneyyoursay at cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au<mailto:sydneyyoursay at cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au>.
The changes to the plans for the parks were well received at the meeting which took on the character of community meetings of old with community members raising concerns outside the scope of the consultation.
Council did not bring proposed traffic changes around the RCC back to the meeting and said further work on calming traffic, improving safety and increasing greening on streets needed to be done. The need for the traffic study to include Darlington to the University, Lawson Street and concerns about the TfNSW traffic changes for Little Eveleigh Street were all raised by residents at the meeting. Council is developing a draft local area traffic management plan (LATM) that will respond to the community concerns. Council is monitoring how pedestrian movements to the University change as a result of the opening of the Redfern Station Southern Concourse. The community will be consulted about the updated LATM.
Residents expressed concern about the large amount of litter along student tracks to the University and requested more rubbish bins be installed as early as possible and that there be increased rubbish removal by Council.
Waterloo South Newsletter / Update
LAHC and DCJ last week distributed their Waterloo Community Update Newsletter 13 October 2023<http://www.redwatch.org.au/RWA/Waterloo/lahc22-23/231013lahc/view>. The newsletter advises tenants of the changes by the new government to increase social and affordable housing to 50% of the total development. It also provides some feedback from tenants on the meetings with Waterloo South tenants and responds to rumours including: tenants will be evicted as part of the renewal; all tenants in Waterloo South need to move at the same time; and the renewal will deliver around 30% social housing so this means only 30% of current tenants can return to Waterloo.
The newsletter also includes a Waterloo Human Services Action Plan Update<http://www.redwatch.org.au/RWA/humanservices/wloohs/waterloo-human-services-action-plan-update-13-october-2023> dealing with current issues facing tenants, details of history uncovered at the Waterloo Metro site and details of local activities the community can become involved in.
REDWatch concerns about LAHC lead Waterloo South human services
On 11 October 2023 LAHC held a workshop for NGOs and Government agencies on its "People and Place Framework". Prior to the meeting a LAHC Waterloo South - People and Place Feedback Overview<http://www.redwatch.org.au/RWA/Waterloo/lahc22-23/230921lahc/view> was distributed. The document was very high level and did not capture much of what agencies contributed at the earlier meetings. The feedback was not discussed at the meeting.
The 11 October workshop was much more an information session rather than a workshop of use for the mix of people in the room. There were updates on the increase in social and affordable housing requested by the new government to the Waterloo South Redevelopment and information about LAHC's thinking on relocations and staging. All information was given verbally as the projector was not working, so it was not possible to see what LAHC considered the key elements that would normally be shown on the slides.
The workshop elements were very rushed with REDWatch asking for material to be circulated for considered input. One exercise asked participants to put on a sticky note what they wanted to say to the potential developer with the promise from LAHC that they would be typed up and fed into the system. Groundswell NGOs have previously asked to be able to submit material to the development consortium, but this was denied at the earlier stage. LAHC was unable to commit on the day to accepting considered material from agencies to go to potential developers - we are waiting for a response.
In another exercise LAHC wanted input on implementing its redevelopment objectives. This would have been a useful exercise if the material had been circulated prior to the meeting or if the time allowed was adequate to comment on all six areas. Again we are waiting to see if LAHC will make the material available to participants so they can provide considered input on all six areas.
While REDWatch is happy with the bottom up approach of the Waterloo Human Service Action Plan dealing with the current issues facing tenants, we are not happy with the top down approach LAHC is taking to human service issues during and after development. A big difference is that the "now" component has a joint governance structure, whereas the future planning is LAHC controlled in both process and content.
We have been here before. In 2018 LAHC tried to facilitate a "now" human service plan itself with NGOs. Thankfully after lots of complaints from NGOs, the initial LAHC driven human service plan was pulled and we started a new bottom up approach responding to the issues identified by tenants and service providers with wider governance, transparency and review.
LAHC applies a command and control consultant approach from the built environment area to human service planning which is problematic. We witnessed this with the Baseline Community Facilities study which relied on what consultants told LAHC was happening in the area and LAHC did not reality test the material with NGOs and service providers. When it became public at exhibition, the errors became public and another consultant needed to fix the study. That study however assumes that the services that exist on paper are all adequate and can continue to operate and so only looks at new facilities for the larger community rather than the wider services that will still be required.
So far in the latest consultations LAHC has refused to show agencies what the consultants are telling them in parallel with their community and services "consultation". The draft themes taken to the earlier Community Plan workshop (page 27 of the feedback) are reminiscent of the Baseline Study approach. Then when write-ups come back that seem to ignore what agencies have said at workshops one can only wonder if the consultant's reports are again trumping local knowledge.
We are missing wider governance, transparency and review we have in the "now" human service planning. A sensible approach would be to let agencies see the consultants' reports, document what is said, allow for considered input, and work through the issues with services before LAHC commits itself to acting on a plan.
REDWatch is particularly concerned that the LAHC approach is confining its planning to just the South Waterloo area being developed and that it is not looking at where and how this fits in the wider context of the whole estate. As a result almost everything comes down to being implemented by the consortium partners by default. There is a need for a much more nuanced consideration of the issues raised by services and how the redevelopment will interact with what is already on the ground and will be there for many years to come even if the consortium can somehow solve all the problems.
REDWatch has said from the beginning of the Waterloo redevelopment proposal that we cannot support the redevelopment if there is not a robust human service plan that sits alongside the built environment plan. The "now" human service plan is progressing well, but REDWatch does not currently have confidence in the plans that LAHC leads. These deal with human service issues that arise from the redevelopment and how post development human services will operate and integrate with existing services. In REDWatch's view there is far too much confidence that the developers and Community Housing Providers will solve problems and far too little preparedness to address concerns raised by agencies.
Recording of People Power: Models that are changing communities and cities
REDWatch apologises to those who could not join our last meeting on models of change. For reasons still not clear, the tinyurl used to promote this event did not work. REDWatch recorded this presentation and the zoom recording with soundtrack and slides are now on YouTube at People Power in Cities - Presentation to REDWatch by Kurt Iveson<https://youtu.be/QWmT76xCYzA> (duration 1h 12 min). We have also posted the presentation slide at People Power in Cities - Kurt Iveson Presentation Slides 5 Oct 2023<http://www.redwatch.org.au/issues/change/231005kip/view>.
This session was well received by attendees and should be of value for tenants, activists, NGOs and political party members - basically anyone interested in change around Australian public housing estates and in the wider civic society where there are a range of different approaches to how people bring about change. Kurt Iveson from Sydney University started with a case study asking attendees to explore strategies to get a pedestrian crossing at his local school and then related this to the ways different communities around the world bring about change.
What can we learn from what is happening elsewhere? And how can our communities have a greater say over what happens to them? Kurt's around the world research with Amanda Tattersall identifies five models people are using to bring about people power and change. They call these five approaches: Playing the game, Mobilising, Organising, Prefigurating and Parties and Kurt unpacked the strengths and weaknesses of these different approaches.
REDWatch Get together and AGM 2nd Nov
REDWatch is an incorporated body which means it has an Annual General Meeting and elects office holders and members to its Coordination Group. The REDWatch AGM will be held at the REDWatch meeting on November 2nd 2023 at 7pm at Counterpoint's Factory Community Centre, 67 Raglan Street, Waterloo.
Prior to the AGM, from 6pm we are having a get together and community meal. This will be an ideal opportunity to come along and talk to people involved in REDWatch about what we do and to ask any questions. We are asking those who can, to bring a plate and we will supplement what people can bring. If you are thinking about becoming more involved, volunteering some time or are just curious about what REDWatch is then this get together is for you. You are even welcome to stay and observe the AGM even if you are not a member.
Because we are a volunteer group there are always opportunities to become involved in doing some of the jobs that need to be done. There are opportunities for people to help organising our activities by joining our Coord Group. So if you think you can help then please reach out and let us know how you would like to contribute. Please email me, or talk to another REDWatch Coord Group member if you would like to discuss volunteering or joining the Coord Group or just turn up to the get together on 2nd November.
REDWatch relies on membership fees ($2 per year) and donations to cover our costs. REDWatch is an unfunded volunteer organisation and no one is paid to do REDWatch work. Donations to fund things we have to pay for, like our website, are always welcome. Our website tells you how you can make a donation<http://www.redwatch.org.au/redwatch/support> or pay membership fees directly into our bank account.
So if you would like to become a member or be more actively involved now is a good time to think about it for the next year.
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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