The site and area in Redfern known as The Block is highly significant in terms of Aboriginal cultural and social heritage in NSW and Australia. Redfern is recognized for its rich history of Aboriginal culture, activism and community building. This Pemulwuy Project development came at the end of many decades of plans and engagement by members of the Redfern Aboriginal community to maintain and improve Aboriginal housing on this site. The approved plans for student accommodation on the site have radically altered the original intent of the land usage, by premising excessive student accommodation which will effectively diminish the Aboriginal cultural and social character and historical significance of The Block and all the Aboriginal community areas in its vicinity.
The Greens submission to the Independent Planning Commission NSW in Nov 2018, opposed the Pemulwuy Concept Plan due to the provision of only a small number of affordable homes for aboriginal people and other facilities, and the provision of massive student housing of some 596 student beds with only 110 of these available as subsidized student housing for Aboriginal students.
See media comment by Jenny Leong MP. More information on The Greens stance here and here.
