[Greens-Media] Redfern Plan to be Made Public

[Mithra Cox]

MEDIA RELEASE 
8th December 2004 

Redfern Plan to be Made Public 

Secret plans by the Carr Government to demolish Department of Housing
towers in Redfern and Waterloo and redevelop the area will be made
public after the Greens moved a successful motion in Parliament to table
the documents. 

"Before developers start sizing up the valuable land in Redfern, the
public has a right to see what they intend to do," Greens MP Sylvia Hale
said today. 

"Community groups, Members of Parliament and the public were lied to
when the Government told us there was no Plan. 

"Obviously, there is a very detailed Plan, which was subsequently leaked
to the media. 

"Even so, Parliament will vote on whether to establish the Redfern
Waterloo Authority today, before seeing the contents of the Plan. 

"The leaked Plan proposes demolishing the Department of Housing tower
blocks, relocating the police station to the to of Eveleigh St, and does
not rule out forcibly acquiring land currently owned by the Aboriginal
housing Company. 

"Indigenous and community groups are understandably angered by the lack
of transparency and consultation. 

"The Greens will vote against the bill, but it is expected to be passed
today with opposition support. 

"The Greens motion will ensure that all documents included in the Plan,
or prepared by the Government or any advisory bodies will be made public
by the 23rd December," Ms Hale said. 


For more information: Mithra Cox 0425 351 844