The Wire

Discussions on the future of “The Block” in Sydney’s Redfern have stalled because the NSW Government and the Aboriginal Housing Company who own the block are in strong disagreement on the issue of whether more Aboriginal housing should be built on the site. Frank Sartor, the minister responsible for the Redfern-Waterloo redevelopment, has stated that he opposes building medium density homes for highly dependent tenants on the block. The Aboriginal Housing Company are equally adamant that their plans for 62 new homes to be built will go ahead. While neither side are talking to each other, the future of the Block remains uncertain. Earlier this year when the area was designated “state significant”, concerns were raised that the government would take control of the area by compulsory acquisition. Although Sartor has ruled out any compulsory acquisition of the land by the state government, he indicated in the media today that the government had other means of controlling development. Sartor has proposed a taskforce on the issue. As owners of the land, the AHC would have to be represented for the taskforce to have any credibility. Sarah Greenlees asked Michael Mundine of the Aboriginal Housing Company whether he would be prepared to participate.