Koori community rallies to defend the Block

By Barry Healy SYDNEY — Fierce debate has erupted within the Aboriginal community centred in Eveleigh Street, Redfern, locally known as the Block, over the community's continued existence. The Aboriginal Housing Company (AHC), which owns the land, has decided to implement a "Redfern Cultural Revolution", demolishing the houses, relocating the residents and using the area for a commercially based "cultural enterprise" redevelopment. The area was given to the Aboriginal community by the Whitlam government in the early '70s. The AHC was formed as the community body to administer the land and properties. Critics of the plan, who have formed into the Aboriginal Housing Cooperative, claim that the community has lost control of the AHC. Residents have long complained about lack of repairs and service which has created a breeding ground for despair and social problems. These social problems, especially heroin addiction, now are presented by the AHC as the reason for the redevelopment. Details of the relocation proposal first surfaced last year through leaked reports in the Murdoch press. Besides a museum, training centre and theatre there is the possibility of a retail development including a McDonald's restaurant. Though exact details are being withheld by the AHC, it appears that through this joint venture the AHC would gain equity by offering its land. Profits would be used to support residents moving away from the Block. Critical community members say that the amount of money required for what the AHC is promising is far beyond anything that could be generated by the plan as presently known. A feeling has developed that elements of the Aboriginal bureaucracy have caved in to pressures from real estate developers who have long wanted to destroy the Block community. In a meeting with South Sydney City Council in mid-1995, leaders of the AHC were quite explicit in saying that the community was to be disbanded. According to AHC chairperson Reverend Peter Walker, the plan's only opposition comes from "the welfare industry, the drug dealers and the media who want [the Block] to stay like it is". The plan went before a special meeting of the AHC in November in a controversial gathering from which most of the residents of the Block were excluded. The meeting was told that money was available from ATSIC for the redevelopment but not for renovating the houses. Under the AHC's rules, membership is limited to 100 Aboriginal people but the directors can allow a higher number of members if they so choose. Over the years the company has operated on the basis of all people on the Block participating as members. However, when 50 residents tried to pay their $1 membership dues prior to the November meeting, they found that the directors had suddenly strictly limited membership and they were excluded. Instead people from outside the area, believed to be mostly relatives of the AHC officials, voted to accept the redevelopment proposal. Since then feelings have run high. The newly formed Housing Cooperative, initiated by community elders, has collected a massive file of alleged illegal practices committed over the years by the AHC and sought legal advice. Stories are circulating of standover tactics as the AHC tries to convince residents to accept relocation. AHC executive officer Mick Mundine, on the other hand, complained to Green Left that the AHC has been "pressured and stabbed in the back" by its critics. The Aboriginal Housing Cooperative will be holding a fund raising concert and rally in Pemulwuy Park on 24 February, starting at 11am.