[North Eveleigh] Waterloo South Concept – What Changed & Social Impacts / Redfern Place / Special Entertainment Precincts Changes / USyd Community Festival / REDWatch AGM

[Geoff Turnbull (REDWatch Spokesperson)]

Dear REDWatch members, supporters and agencies,

REDWatch 6pm Thursday 5th Nov - What Changed in the Waterloo South Concept and What’s Next?

Revised Social Impact Assessment and Management Plan are on line

Redfern Place Elizabeth Street gets some funding

Establishing Special Entertainment Precincts – Exhibition until 26 November

Late Night Trading and The Block – Exhibition until 26 November

Sydney University Community Festival – Sat 7 November

REDWatch AGM – 7pm 3rd December 2026

REDWatch is looking for people to be actively involved
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.
REDWatch 6pm Thursday 5th Nov - What Changed in the Waterloo South Concept and What’s Next?
At the 5th November REDWatch meeting the Waterloo South Consortium will explain what they did with exhibition feedback. This includes changes made to how social impacts will now be understood and addressed. Bring the questions you want answered.
The major change made by the consortium was to totally rework the Social Impact Assessment (SIA) and the Social Impact Management Plan (SIMP) in the light of feedback during the exhibition. The revised SIA and SIMP better reflect the expected social impacts from the redevelopment and what need to be done to enhance the positive outcomes and mitigate the negative impacts.
Come along and bring you questions and concerns to hear from the Consortium and the consultant that prepared the new work on social impacts and how they can be managed.
The REDWatch meeting will be on Thursday 5th November 2026 from 6:00pm – 7:30pm at Counterpoint’s Factory Community Centre 67 Raglan Street Waterloo or join us online via Zoom http://tinyurl.com/RedwatchMeetingZoom. You can see the poster for this meeting with the key Social Impact Themes in the new SIA here<https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1543781714445351&set=pb.100064406121052.-2207520000>.
Revised Social Impact Assessment and Management Plan are on line
The revised Social Impact Assessment (SIA) and Social Impact Management Plan (SIMP) were a late addition to the Waterloo (South) Concept Plan Response to Submissions (RtS). The RtS documents are submitted by the Consortium back to the Department of Planning. The RtS not only say how the Consortium has responded but the documents also include the changes made to the Concept Plan that resulted. The Department of Planning then assesses the adjusted proposal, seeking any additional changes before making its determination on the Concept Plan. As a result, what is approved is not necessarily exactly what was exhibited.
You can see the Response to Submission documents on the Planning Portal for the project<https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/projects/waterloo-estate-south-concept>. If you had a look after our last email, the additional reports added since then are:

  *   Revised Social Impact Management Plan<https://majorprojects.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/prweb/PRRestService/mp/01/getContent?AttachRef=SSD-93222706%2120261001T225539.046+GMT>
  *   Revised Social Impact Assessment Report<https://majorprojects.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/prweb/PRRestService/mp/01/getContent?AttachRef=SSD-93222706%2120261001T225539.417+GMT>
  *   Public Domain and Landscape Report RTS<https://majorprojects.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/prweb/PRRestService/mp/01/getContent?AttachRef=SSD-93222706%2120261020T050429.039+GMT>
  *   Design Guide RTS Track<https://majorprojects.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/prweb/PRRestService/mp/01/getContent?AttachRef=SSD-93222706%2120261001T225540.040+GMT> (Track changes version)
  *   Design Guide RTS Clean<https://majorprojects.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/prweb/PRRestService/mp/01/getContent?AttachRef=SSD-93222706%2120261001T225539.715+GMT>
Stockland will report on what has changed as a result of the Concept exhibition to the REDWatch meeting at The Factory at 6pm on Thursday 5th November.
Stockland is also planning times to report back to tenants on what was heard from the consultation about buildings and neighbourhood design prior to submitting its Development Applications for Stage 1 (Blocks 8 & 9) and Stage 2 Building 2D later this year.
The consortium has recently applied to amend its planning requirements to incorporate site preparation and enabling works, including demolition, tree removal, remediation and excavation works, into the proposed DAs. The separate Early Works application will likely lapse after this change.
You can see the current Waterloo Partnership project applications and documents at the following links:

  *   Waterloo Estate (South) Concept<https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/projects/waterloo-estate-south-concept> (under Assessment)
  *   Waterloo Estate (South), Stage 1, Block 9<https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/projects/waterloo-estate-south-stage-1-block-9> (Prepare EIS)
  *   Waterloo Estate (South), Stage 1, Block 8<https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/projects/waterloo-estate-south-stage-1-block-8> (Prepare EIS)
  *   Waterloo Estate (South) - Stage 2, Building 2D<https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/projects/waterloo-estate-south-stage-2-building-2d> (Prepare EIS)
  *   Waterloo Estate (South) Stage 1 Early Works<https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/projects/waterloo-estate-south-stage-1-early-works> (Prepare EIS)
Homes NSW has ceased receiving input on the Stage 2 South Review of Environmental Factors (REF) for the proposed demolition of 2 buildings in Waterloo South (6 John Street & 241 Cope Street). The REF looks at possible environmental impacts from the demolition, and how these can be managed or mitigated. This proposal has not yet been finalised and posted on the Department of Planning website.
Redfern Place Elizabeth Street gets some funding
Bridge Housing which is developing the Land and Housing Corporation site opposite Redfern Oval where the PCYC was, have received $20m federal funding<file:///C:/Users/lyntu/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/Z27X2UYN/Funding%20will%20support%20delivery%20of%20a%20multipurpose%20community%20facility,%20public%20realm> for its Redfern Place project for precinct enabling infrastructure. The funding will support delivery of a multipurpose community facility, public realm upgrades and enabling precinct infrastructure at Redfern Place, including youth, recreation and community spaces, a residents’ hub, improved pedestrian links, landscaping and utilities.
Bridge hope to commence construction in 2027 subject to funding. The project has been submitted for HAFF Round 3 funding through LAHC and an announcement is expected soon. HAFF Round 3 projects need to be completed by mid-2029.
Establishing Special Entertainment Precincts – Exhibition until 26 November
Council is currently running an exhibition to establish Special Entertainment Precincts from its existing late night trading areas<https://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/policy-planning-changes/your-say-planned-special-entertainment-precincts> until 26 November 2026. Council is doing this to create more places where culture, creativity and local businesses can thrive. While this applies across all existing late night trading areas, the proposal also includes some changes that potentially impact our area.
Council proposes to change the existing late-night zone grading for parts of Redfern Street, Regent Street and Botany Road from local Centre Areas to City Living Areas.
This includes the part of Redfern Street between Regent and George streets and Regent Street / Botany Road from Wells St Redfern to Wellington Street Waterloo which also includes Waterloo Metro Over Station Development. Around Redfern Station and Redfern Street between George and Pitt Street are staying as Local Centre Areas similar to the area between Vine and Cleveland Street adjacent to The Block.
Council says this change recognises a growing cluster of venues that are currently limited by a midnight closing time and that the change is supported by good late night public transport and higher existing background noise levels in the area.
You can see a map and related documents on the Policy and Planning Changes page for this proposal<https://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/policy-planning-changes/your-say-planned-special-entertainment-precincts>. While there are a number of options for businesses to input, residents have to log in with a City of Sydney account to complete the survey. If you don’t have an account, it’s easy to create one but you might find it easier to email your comments / feedback to sydneyyoursay at cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au<mailto:sydneyyoursay at cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au> or post to: Senior Community Engagement Coordinator, City Engagement, City of Sydney, Level 7, 456 Kent Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Below is what is permissible in a City Living area:
Category A - Large pubs, clubs and nightclubs (over 120 patrons). Big performance venues like theatres, concert halls or cinemas (over 250 patrons).
Indoor 7am to 11pm       Outdoor 9am to 10pm   Live music incentive hours to 1am
Category B - Small bars (less than 120 patrons). Restaurants and takeaways, Convenience stores, smaller performance venues like theatres, concert halls or cinemas (less than 250 patrons)
Indoor 7am to 1am          Outdoor 7am to 10pm   Live music incentive hours to 3am
Category C – Shops Services like hairdressers. They don’t sell alcohol and are very low impact.
Indoor 24 hours.
A special entertainment precinct is an area where Council can set trading hours and sound rules to support live music, nightlife and cultural activity. If approved, this will:

  *   identify special entertainment precincts on planning maps
  *   provide pre-approved trading hours for businesses in these areas
  *   set sound rules for entertainment activity
  *   unlock NSW Government incentives for live music and performance
  *   establish a plan of management for nightlife in these areas.
Late Night Trading and The Block – Exhibition until 26 November
When Council looked at late night trading zones earlier, some questions were raised about the appropriateness of the late-night trading area at the bottom of The Block between Vine Street and Cleveland Street. This was put in place by the old Redfern Waterloo Authority when they were trying to discourage Aboriginal housing on The Block. This area was not on the maps initially circulated by Council because it was on another map from RWA times. Council then amalgamated the old RWA map into the main Council late night trading area map.
REDWatch understood from a Council meeting that there would be a consultation with the Aboriginal community about this area when the proposal next came back to the community; which would be now. However, the proposal on exhibition does not ask seem to set up a process for talking to the community about the appropriateness of this location.
The exhibition proposes to extend the old RWA area by expanding it to include the Eveleigh Hotel on the corner of Abercrombie and Vine streets. It also proposes to turn the expanded area into a Local Centre Area Special Entertainment Precinct.
REDWatch is aware that there were a number of people and organisations that do not think that the late-night area is appropriate given it does not contain any late-night venues and is now next to the Pemulwuy Housing Project
REDWatch suggests to those who had concerns about this should use this consultation to re-raise their concerns as we are not sure there will be another opportunity.
The proposal for the area between Vine and Cleveland Street Redfern (including the Eveleigh) is to create a local centre area precinct that would allow businesses already in that area or moving into this area, to have extended trading hours as follows:
Category A - Large pubs, clubs and nightclubs (over 120 patrons) Big performance venues like theatres, concert halls or cinemas (over 250 patrons)
Indoor 7am to 10pm       Outdoor 9am to 10pm   Live music incentive hours to midnight
Category B - Small bars (less than 120 patrons), Restaurants and takeaways Convenience stores, smaller performance venues like theatres, concert halls or cinemas (less than 250 patrons).
Indoor 7am to 11pm       Outdoor 7am to 10pm   Live music incentive hours to 1am
Category C – Shops Services like hairdressers They don’t sell alcohol and are very low impact.
Indoor 7am to 2am
As detailed in the post before this one you can see maps, documents and other information including how to raise any concerns on Your say on our planned special entertainment precincts - City of Sydney<https://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/policy-planning-changes/your-say-planned-special-entertainment-precincts>. The exhibition closes on 26 November 2026.
Sydney University Community Festival – Sat 7 November
The University of Sydney is holding its Community Festival on 7 November. It was previously an Alumni festival, but it has been rebadged as a community festival even though there is not as much local community involvement as REDWatch would like to see. One area that does connect into the local community is the program on Celebrating Indigenous Culture which you can see here<https://community-festival.sydney.edu.au/2026/CelebratingIndigenousCulture?>.
It is however a good opportunity to visit Sydney Uni, to explore its iconic grounds, meet inspiring minds and experience the energy of a world-class institution. This is your chance to experience the University in a new way through interactive talks, hands-on workshops, live music, family activities, food, culture and more. There’s something for everyone whether you're a local, a graduate, a student, or just curious.
For information on the many activities visit https://community-festival.sydney.edu.au/ and if you register by 1 November you go in a draw for some prizes.
REDWatch AGM – 7pm 3rd December 2026
REDWatch is an incorporated body which means it has an Annual General Meeting that elects office bearers and members to its Coordination Group. REDWatch will be holding its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday December 3rd 2026 at 7 pm at Counterpoint's Factory Community Centre 67 Raglan Street Waterloo. This is an in-person meeting and there will be no Zoom link for this meeting. Members will receive formal notice.
At the AGM we receive a report from our office bearers and Co-ordination Group and elect the office holders (Secretary, Treasurer, Convenor, Spokesperson and Co-ordination Group members). There are also opportunities for job sharing or for being an understudy in roles like Co-Convenor and Co-Spokesperson.
Membership must be current to nominate for a position or vote and participate in the AGM. Please email your Nomination for Office-Bearer Position Form<http://www.redwatch.org.au/redwatch/incorporation/nom_office/view>  (and or Membership Form<http://www.redwatch.org.au/redwatch/incorporation/membership/view> if you are not yet a member) no later than the day before the AGM to mail at redwatch.org.au<mailto:mail at redwatch.org.au> to help us ensure a smooth AGM!
Non-members are welcome at the AGM but only members can vote.
REDWatch is looking for people to be actively involved
One of the challenges for a group like REDWatch is we cover issues across four suburbs covering built environment and human service issues for both public and private residents. This means that finding people happy to volunteer their time to help steer this work can be more challenging that organising a campaign where people are directly impacted by a development. On top of that we find younger people who become involved often get pushed out of the area due to the high cost of housing or they move into jobs that make it difficult for them to also hold key roles in REDWatch because of potential conflicts of interest. This means we are always on the lookout for people who are willing to become more involved and pick up some experience working across our diverse community.
If you like what REDWatch does and want to know more, we suggest you have a read of REDWatch Overview: Why, How and What we Do<http://www.redwatch.org.au/redwatch/about/230605redwwhw/view>. If you would like to discuss the possibility of becoming more involved then please contact Geoff Turnbull (Spokesperson), Navin Lamsal (Convenor) or one of the other Coordination Group members. We are happy to mentor people so they can take on roles in REDWatch be it in officers’ positions or in helping in a particular areas of interest, establishing and running our website and social media etc.
As someone who cares about REDWatch, if you are unable to become more involved in REDWatch you can still actively talk to others about the importance of REDWatch and the value of community participation. Please talk to people you know who might be interested in what we do.

Regards,

Geoff
Geoffrey Turnbull
REDWatch 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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