Save Redfern Block campaign continues

By Chris Spindler

SYDNEY -- Rumours of the appearance of bulldozers from March 17 circulated as Aboriginal Redfern Housing Coalition members mobilised for an Aboriginal Housing Company meeting on March 14. Coalition members aimed to open up the membership of the company to tenants on the Block and the Aboriginal community in general, pass a vote of no confidence in the directors of the company and replace them with community-nominated members.

Over the past 25 years, the company has neglected its responsibility for the upkeep of the houses on Eveleigh Street and others on the Block, letting houses deteriorate to virtually unlivable conditions.

Members of the coalition and local residents want development of the area for community housing, whereas the company has been promoting dispersal of the Aboriginal community and demolition of the houses to make way for business developers.

Shane Phillips, spokesperson for the coalition, commented that while the community lost the vote to open the membership of the company, they rocked the foundations of the leadership. The company checked all the proxy votes of the coalition supporters while refusing to allow theirs to be checked, leading to a large majority of 92 to 22 in favour of the company.

Phillips said, "It's hard not to get emotional over this issue, as we're fighting for our community and our houses and our right to have a say over our futures. We'll be going to the Housing Company annual general meeting to fight for the same motions."

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