The Wire

The riots that took place recently in Redfern, following the death of Aboriginal teenager, TJ, have seen renewed interests in plans for the area known as “the Block” to be redeveloped, in a bid to drive out criminal elements selling heroin. As the first sovereign land handed back to Aboriginal people in 1973, the Block is an area of major cultural significance to indigenous people – it has been home to many important Aboriginal leaders and it also provides a vital base for indigenous people who come down to Sydney to visit family, work or study. The Block was handed back to Aboriginal people with the aim of providing low-income housing for them, however, new development plans may change this. And as the pressure grows to “clean up” Redfern – a suburb lapped on all sides by gentrified, wealthier neighbourhoods – Government claims that it will consult with community on the nature of development plans are not reassuring some residents. Erica Vowles spoke to Joyce Ingram, long-term resident of the Block, Dillon Kumbumbri, aboriginal architect with the NSW Government’s Architects Office, Peter Valilis, project officer with the Aboriginal Housing Company and Paul Huxtable, officer at Redfern Police Station and representative with the Police Association.

The Block Community Speak Out
The Aboriginal Housing Company