SOCIAL SPIRIT
Australia’s indigenous people have a long association with Redfern, moving to the suburb in the 1920s for employment opportunities and affordable housing. They formed a strong and vibrant community which is still in evidence today.
Recognising the links between indigenous people and the suburb, a minimum of 20 construction workers on the project were required to be indigenous. This was a ‘first’ for a public housing project in Australia, and was rewarded with a Green Star Innovation point (INN-1).
Empowering the local community was an integral part of the sustainable development, and Housing NSW provided employment opportunities to both Aboriginal and long-term unemployed people to enhance their business skills, increase their knowledge of ESD issues and improve the social and economic conditions for both the individuals and their community