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Feel the Festive Vibes as ‘Sydney Streets’ Returns on Redfern Street

Photo credit: City of Sydney / cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

Here’s to another year of programs that will transform some of Sydney’s streets into car-free zones on weekends to make way for events that bring plenty of live music, entertainment, and alfresco dining. See what local businesses have in store for Redfern Street in 2023.

Festival vibes fill the air on Redfern Street where a day of fun awaits visitors as businesses bring out their best. So expect heaps of offers, games, activations and much more.

The Tudor Hotel and The Redfern will bring in pop-up bars whilst Atomic Beer Project’s ‘Hoptimus’ truck will set up for games and a beer garden.

Love collecting vinyl records? Watch out because there will also be a vinyl record fair coming your way plus live bands and DJs courtesy of The Sunshine Inn and Redfern’s first small bar, The Dock.

Now for tattoo enthusiasts, you can now skip the long waitlist just to get inked by signature artists because Markd Tattoo will also be there to host another flash day. Or join a painting class for children and adults at Sydney Collective.

How about snacks, you say? Donut Papi has got you covered. Indulge in their special flavours including their best-seller Pandan Coconut Glaze and all-time favourites Bavarian Cream and OG Glaze. Then sip frozen mangonadas from Itacate Mexican Deli.

The event happens Saturday 11 March 2023 and runs from 11 am to 10 pm.

Note: The area will be closed to traffic from 9 am to 11.30 pm between Regent Street and Chalmers Street. Special event clearway parking restrictions will also be in effect so check signs carefully, visit livetraffic.com for more info.

If you have any particular access or communication needs please contact Glen Woolgar, event manager on 02 9265 9168 or gwoolgar@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au.

Published 10-February-2023

Consortium Selected For $230M Elizabeth Street Renewal Project

A plan to build hundreds of apartments in an empty block on Elizabeth Street Redfern is getting closer to reality, with the recent announcement of a consortium that will work on the project.

Read: New Proposal Unveiled For Redfern Housing Project

The consortium includes Bridge Housing, which is one of the leading community housing providers in Australia, and national infrastructure developer Capella Capital.

The companies were appointed by the NSW Government to develop the $230 million renewal of Elizabeth Street, which will involve the construction of 300 new homes, one third of which will be social housing.

The proposed development at 600-660 Elizabeth St, also includes a 3,500sqm community facility, which will serve as a hub for local services, potentially including the PCYC subject to funding, and Bridge Housing’s new head office with community meeting space.

“We’re transforming Sydney’s inner city to deliver multiple benefits to the local community, including much-needed new housing close to jobs, public transport and open space,” said Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts.

In addition to 100 social homes, Minister for Families and Communities, and Minister for Disability Services, Natasha Maclaren-Jones said the project proposes a mix of housing including affordable homes, homes for key workers, disability support units and private homes.

“The new social homes to be delivered at Redfern will be used to accommodate local relocations from the planned renewal of the Waterloo Estate, supporting greater connection to Country for Aboriginal residents and the broader community,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.

Meanwhile, Bridge Housing CEO Rebecca Pinkstone said they were delighted to have been selected to bring the project to life as the project developer in collaboration with Capella Capital. It is the first time a CHP has been appointed to lead a Communities Plus project.

Read: ‘Build a Bridge’ Launched in Response to Plans for Redfern North Eveleigh Precinct

“The development will become a blueprint for how the community housing sector, working in partnership with government, institutional investors, commercial lenders and the private sector, can deliver social and affordable housing at scale,” Ms Pinkstone said.

Works are set to commence in 2025 and will create over 700 jobs during construction.

Redfern North Eveleigh Precinct Development Draws Red Flags

Plans for the renewal of the Redfern North Eveleigh Precinct remain up in the air due to issues raised by various stakeholders.

Planning NSW and Transport NSW proposed rezoning the sub-precincts in North Eveleigh but the City of Sydney and Shelter NSW raised concerns over the lack of social and affordable housing in the masterplan despite strong demand for these facilities.

In a statement, Shelter NSW understands that the Redfern North Eveleigh Precinct development is meant to support the establishment of Central Sydney’s ambitious plans for Tech Central. However, a lot remains at stake in this major project that will impact residents, students, workers and businesses.

“The proposed development is on NSW public land; in a suburb, local government area (LGA) and community with a strong tradition of providing low-cost housing to people who need it,” Shelter NSW said. “It is home to a long-standing and resilient Aboriginal community. As such, we believe the NSW Government has the responsibility and opportunity to build an exemplary community – one where people from all walks of life, cultures, ages and incomes can prosper; living in well-built and designed homes, buildings and public spaces.”

On the other hand, the City of Sydney said that housing availability must comprise 25 per cent of the Redfern North Eveleigh Precinct Renewal. However, the masterplan shows only 15 per cent of affordable housing.

The City of Sydney also raised issues with the plans for Tech Central, dubbed Australia’s biggest technological district that will deliver 16,000 jobs, as this will entail major changes in the district’s infrastructure, public spaces and heritage landmarks amidst the construction of the skyscrapers.

“The streets, blocks and buildings replicate the obvious mistakes of Barangaroo South, without the drawcard benefit of the foreshore promenade. The streets are too narrow, connections from the surrounding streets and spaces are narrow, steep and not legible and only one clear east-west connection is provided,” the Council cited in its submission to the proposal.

The Redfern North Eveleigh Precinct Renewal and the Central Precinct Renewal with Tech Central comprise about 34 hectares of Sydney.

Published 26 January 2023

Locals Continue Fight Against Privatisation Of Explorer St Public Housing

Several members of the community continue to rally against a proposal to privatise the majority of Explorer St housing, a subject of discussion for many years now.

Read: Proposal To Privatise Public Housing At Waterloo South Draws Ire Of Locals

The proposal was based on the NSW Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC) Communities Plus project formula which allows for only 30 per cent social housing but 70 per cent private housing on public land.

Plans for Eveleigh include constructing 4,250 new homes, of which only 1,260 will be social housing.

Explorer St (Photo credit: Google Street View)

Explorer St has also been included in the NSW Government’s Rezoning Pathways Program which means that the Department of Planning and Environment (DPE), instead of Council, will be the ones taking charge of the planning and development decisions for the area.

During a Council meeting with the local planning panel, City of Sydney Councillor Linda Scott put forward an urgency motion about the decision to include Eveleigh in the program. Cr Scott submitted a motion that will allow the City of Sydney to back a significant percentage of social and affordable housing on Explorer Street.

Community group REDWatch, which has been campaigning against privatising Explorer St public housing for years now, believes being the planning proposal authority was not the main job of DPE and they did not have the experience and expertise to deal with the community.

Photo credit: https://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/

Some locals also believe removing Council from planning decisions means community concerns are not sufficiently addressed especially in terms of social and affordable housing.

“That’s taking a site that is 100% public housing and turning it into a site where less than 30% of the total dwellings planned for the site are social housing,” said Cr Scott.

Greens MP Jenny Leong shares the sentiments of locals, saying that rezoning plans like the one proposed for Eveleigh break apart established communities and do little to address housing unaffordability.

Read: Developer Buys Erskineville Site for $315 Million, Aims to Deliver Over 1,000 Apartments

Ms Leong mentioned about the devastating impact of the sell-off of Millers Point public housing, which involved evicting hundreds of tenants out of their homes and moving to other parts of the city.

If the privatisation of Explorer Street public housing will continue, many tenants in Eveleigh will also have to face the loss of their homes.

Transformed Hotel on Henderson Road Has a New Italian Restaurant

Photo credit: Facebook / Camelia Grove Hotel

After being sold in 2021, this 150-year-old pub on Henderson Road, Alexandria underwent a renovation and reopened with a new pizzeria headed by one of Sydney’s renowned Italian chefs.

Since acquiring the Camelia Grove Hotel from its long-time owner Adella Wright-Young, Public Hospitality Group made sure that the pub will not only get a makeover but will come with a fresh offering.

The hotel has recently reopened with a new restaurant and bar offering handmade pasta and wood-fired pizza. At the helm is Public Hospitality Group’s Italian chef Alessandro Pavoni along with his protegee, Michelin-trained chef Giuseppe Fuzio, who is taking care of the Italian-inspired food offerings.

Transformed Hotel on Henderson Road Has a New Italian Restaurant — Photo credit: Facebook / Camelia Grove Hotel

Fuzio is particularly proud of his dough bases which are left to rest for about three days, which makes his pizzas lighter.

The pizza offering is divided into Stone Baked Pizza Rossa and Bianca. Some of the pizzas on tomato base options include Margherita (tomato, mozzarella and basil), Diavola (mozzarella, spicy salami, capsicum and basil), and Prosciutto (pama prosciutto, burrata, rocket and stracciatella).

Whilst the white base offerings include Funghi (mozzarella, mixed mushrooms, smoked provola, pork sausage and truffle oil), Caprese (buffalo, fresh tomato, bresaola and basil) and Pistachio (pistachio cream. buffalo mozzarella, cherry tomato, mortadella and stracciatella).

Meanwhile, House Pasta options include Gnocchi made with wagyu ragu, slow-cooked beef and parmesan cheese; and Busiate pesto with basil pesto, pine nuts and cacioricotta.

Photo credit: Facebook / Camelia Grove Hotel

Google reviews:

“The woodfire bread is better than Totti’s. By a country mile. I eat here very regularly, and the food never disappoints. Please bring back the Amatriciana pasta. That was my favourite. Staff are very friendly and really look after you. Wine list is lit, with many good options. Courtyards are cute.” – S. DeBeers

“Alexandria’s 150-year old pub @Cameliagrove serves the best pizza and pasta. The modern Italiano bistro also includes live music and welcomes furry friends. 🐕 We also had the opportunity to try the latest edition Fiotente spritz. It’s light and refreshing, perfect for the summer holidays.” J. Truong

“Awesome place for food and drinks. The newly renovated building is very nice with a great atmosphere for outdoor dining. The woodfire pizza is very tasty. 100% recommend.” – K. Chan

Camelia Grove Hotel |146 Henderson Road, Alexandria NSW 2015, Australia

Aboriginal Medical Service Redfern Celebrates 50 Years Of Serving The Community

Did you know that Aboriginal Medical Service Redfern, the oldest Aboriginal medical service in Australia, recently celebrated 50 years of service to the aboriginal community?

Read: ‘Build a Bridge’ Launched in Response to Plans for Redfern North Eveleigh Precinct

When it opened in July 1971, AMS Redfern became the first Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service in the country, and was instrumental in providing the foundation for many other Aboriginal community organisations that provide a similar health care model for Aboriginal people.

Photo credit: Briggs Jourdan/Google Maps

During those years, the Aboriginal community in Sydney was the largest in Australia, but they were deprived of health services, due to the neglect and racism they experienced at the time. A Koori person who needed medical help only had two options, which are to visit a general practitioner or attend the outpatients department in a public hospital.

Aboriginal Medical Service Redfern — Members of AMS Redfern (Photo credit: Aboriginal Medical Service Cooperative Ltd/Facebook)

The lack of appropriate health care for the Koori community led to the opening of the co-operative, staffed by rostered volunteer doctors, nursing sisters, and Shirley Smith as field officer.

AMS Redfern began with a free shop front located at Regent Street in Redfern, but later moved to Turner St, on land donated by the Sisters of Mercy.

The Government offered minimal financial support to the group, providing a mere $13,000 in its first submission and $14,000 in the second submission. This scenario lasted for the next 15 years, but the co-op was eager to continue their mission, and decided to start different kinds of programs.

This includes the fruit and vegetable run, which later turned into a comprehensive nutrition program and a breakfast for kids program, through a caravan borrowed from the Wayside Chapel in Newtown.

Today, in its 51st year in service, AMS Redfern continues their commitment to the community, which is to be the voice for health and wellbeing through patient advocacy and self determination for now and into the future.

Read: National Centre of Indigenous Excellence in Redfern Handed Over to NSWALC

Award-winning journalist Karla Grant hosted the anniversary gala and dinner held at the ICC Darling Harbour in November 2022. Performers such as The Donovan Band, Jarrod Hickling, The Brolga Dance Academy, and Kebi Kub Dancers also graced the celebration.

The Donovan Band (Photo credit: amsredfern.org.au)

As part of the 50th anniversary celebration, Aboriginal Medical Service Redfern honoured some of the staff, for their years of service as well as outstanding achievements during their employment.

Around 800 people came to the event, which included over 70 staff from AMS Redfern.

Redfern’s Clothing Store Sub-Precinct Redevelopment Moves Forward with Search for Partners

The search is on for industry partners, developers, and operators for the redevelopment of the heritage-listed Clothing Store sub-precinct in Redfern, with 600 build-to-rent homes planned.

Entities to be selected for the Clothing Store sub-precinct redevelopment could secure a 99-year ground lease under an arrangement with the state government and the Transport Asset Holding Entity (TAHE). The project entails re-adapting the Clothing Store building as a new public domain for recreation and unwinding whilst integrating several affordable dwellings.

Situated in the railway precinct, the old building was built in 1913 as a facility for producing and storing uniforms for railway workers. It was designed as a warehouse-style building with few partitions, a common area, and a kitchenette on the first level.

In the modern period, the Clothing Store has been used as a community facility for the arts and creatives. Most of the building’s structures are under heritage protection and will have to be preserved with this redevelopment.

Redfern Clothing Store sub-precinct — Photo Credit: TAHE-NSW

“This Government has committed to set aside 30 per cent of all residential stock on our urban renewal precincts for affordable and diverse housing and on this project we’ll deliver triple that target,” Minister for Infrastructure, Cities and Active Transport Rob Stokes in announcing the eTendering process for the project.

“This will provide much-needed secure housing for renters, with 75 per cent of the homes earmarked for build-to-rent housing and 15 per cent as affordable housing for key workers.

“This is another city-shaping precinct that will create 3,000 square metres of new, green public parkland, reimagine the heritage-listed clothing store into a space for the community, and play a critical role in bolstering Sydney’s status as a 24-hour global city.”

The Clothing Store sub-precinct redevelopment is part of the wider Redfern-North Eveleigh plan.

Inventia Moves Lab Facilities to Alexandria to Bring More Jobs

Inventia Life Sciences, a biotech company producing 3D cell culture and technology, is upscaling and moving its new state-of-the-art manufacturing and laboratory facilities in Alexandria.

Through NSW’s Jobs Plus Program, Inventia will expand its 430-sqm facility into a 1,500-sqm hub as it ramps up the commercialisation of its Rastrum 3D bioprinter and biomaterials.

The expansion will allow Inventia to keep pace with the demands in the worldwide market, as well as support 76 direct and 67 indirect FTE jobs by June 2024.

Currently, four leading pharmaceutical companies are using the company’s technology for developing much-needed drugs but the expansion could potentially bring more opportunities and advancements.

“We are delighted by the support we have been given by the NSW Government. As a result of the Jobs Plus grant we have been able to scale up our production capabilities, employ more highly skilled people including biologists, software and mechanical engineers and take this revolutionary technology to the world,” Dr Julio Ribeiro, Inventia’s founder and CEO, said.

“Inventia’s drop-on-demand 3D bioprinting technology is the most advanced and precise 3D printing of its kind in the world. It is well-placed to consolidate Australia as a global leader in this field. These additional funds will help us cement Australia’s position and expand our global presence.”

Inventia is not the only company to benefit from the Job Plus Program as DNEG, one of the world’s leading visual effects (VFX) companies delivering Hollywood box office hits, will also establish its first Australian-based content services studio at Sydney’s Tech Central. The move will create more than 470 highly skilled jobs and 550 indirect jobs.

Also taking part in the program is Sparro, a digital marketing company based in Haymarket, which will deliver 90 direct and 58 indirect FTE jobs.

According to Alister Henskens, the Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade, the latest Jobs Plus round will create more than 2,500 jobs across a range of industries, including manufacturing, food and beverage, digital technology and MedTech.

Jobs Plus support is provided through a range of initiatives including payroll tax relief, support for infrastructure and subsidised training programs, along with the provision of free or subsidised government spaces and accommodation.

W. Short Hotel Group Sells Tudor Hotel Redfern for $17 Million

After seven years of ownership, W. Short Hotel Group has sold the Tudor Hotel Redfern, along 90 Pitt Street, to Universal Hotels for an estimated $17 million.

The sale serves as the latest benchmark for hotel values in the inner-city suburbs, triggering a renewed interest in the hospitality industry. W. Short Hotel Group CEO Martin Short, of the Anderson and Short families, said the decision to sell Tudor Hotel Redfern was a difficult choice but, ultimately, it was the “right next step” for the family business.

Mr Short also believes that Universal Hotels will carry on the great work that the team at Tudor Hotel Redfern has done for the last seven years. Universal Hotels, under the Kospetas family, is the operator of The Oxford Hotel in Darlinghurst, Hotel Downing in the CBD, and the Bat and Ball Hotel in Redfern.

The Tudor Hotel has a long history as a community pub. It was originally called The Cricketer’s Rest in the 1860s and was established by Australian cricketer John Louis Kettle, who wanted to take advantage of the site’s proximity to the former Albert Ground, where cricket was the most popular sporting event.

Tudor Hotel Redfern was formerly The Cricketers Rest — The Cricketers Rest in 1949
Photo Credit: Time Agents

However, the private owners of Albert Ground, decided to sell and subdivide their property in 1879, thus ending all sporting events in the precinct. The area was eventually used for public housing. By this time, Mr Kettle has long given up ownership of The Cricketer’s Rest, which was eventually bought and renamed to Tudor Hotel.

Today, the hotel continues to deliver the greatest pub experience in Redfern and it is regarded as one of the best dog-friendly venues in the inner-city suburbs.

For updates about the hotel, visit the official site or follow the Facebook page.

Approved! Waterloo South Rezoning to Pave Way for Affordable Housing

The redevelopment of Waterloo South has been given the green light following a rezoning approval that will see the construction of 3,000 new homes.

This is just the first stage of a $3-billion renewal plan for the 19-hectare Waterloo estate, which has long been discussed between the City of Sydney and the state.

The project, however, will see the demolition of 749 public homes to make way for 847 social housing and 227 affordable housing. Ten percent of these homes will also be prioritised for First Nations housing.

Signs bearing “No Eviction” have been seen around Waterloo as current residents will be forced to leave once the redevelopment starts.

Voluntary Planning Agreement

The City of Sydney and the Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC) will soon release a draft voluntary planning agreement (VPA) that will be subject to community consultations.

LAHC Chief Executive Simon Newport said that a shortlist of partner consortiums will also be released in the next weeks. Details of the project will be updated on the official site.

The Waterloo South redevelopment is expected to welcome new tenants by 2024.

Planning Minister Anthony Roberts said the rezoning is expected to breathe new life “into an old social housing estate to support the needs of the growing number of people who call – or want to call – Waterloo home.”

Minister for Families and Communities Natasha Maclaren-Jones said that this move will provide a safe and stable dwelling for the vulnerable population.

“The NSW Government is delivering on its commitment to help everyone in NSW have a roof over their head and receive the wrap-around services they need to thrive.”

Redevelopment Opposed

“Today’s approval rubber stamps the unacceptable destruction of public housing in Waterloo and will force hundreds of people from the homes and community they’ve lived in for years,” Greens MP Jenny Leong said.

“Solidarity with all Waterloo residents now facing forced relocations. The Greens will always defend public housing and everyone’s right to a safe, secure and affordable home.”