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History
In late January 1974 Andrew Jakubowicz, University of NSW sociology academic and Chairperson
of the Surry Hills Resident Action Group brought together some 40 people to discuss the
establishment of a regional council for social development covering the Inner Sydney region, at
that stage consisting of Sydney, South Sydney and Leichhardt Local Government Authorities
(LGA). This was a Whitlam initiative and part of an Australia wide plan.
In July 1974, seeding funds of $3,000 were used to bring together a wide range of people who
agreed to form the interim Inner Sydney Regional Council for Social Development (Regional
Council). Funding was sought from the Area Assistance Program for a social planner, secretariat
staff and three Community Development Officers, one in each LGA to assist people formulate
their plans of action.
Regional Council’s first Executive Officer, Colin Menzies started work at the office in Glebe in
February 1975. The organisation then moved to offices in Chippendale.
In 1977, Regional Council was incorporated as a co-operative. Three weeks later the Whitlam
Government lost power and funding was withdrawn. The organisation lost most of its staff, but
remained as a Regional Information and Resource Centre with State funding from The
Department of Youth and Community Services. Again offices were changed and Regional Council
moved in with Shelter and the Australian Social Welfare Union. In March 1978, production of
the Journal Inner Voice commenced.
1977 – 79 saw a clarification of Regional Council objectives, which were to provide information
to local people and assist local networks. The organisation became involved in several urban
environment issues such as lead in petrol and media projects including the film ‘Waterloo’ and
the formation of Radio Eastern Sydney.
The early 80’s saw involvement in more planning and environmental issues – the Waterloo
incinerator and Port Botany plans. The Eastern Suburbs were added to Regional Council’s
coverage. The organisation was forced to move again, this time to Pitt Street and moved its
focus to transport issues.
In 1985/86, the HACC Development Project commenced, along with the Urban Environment
Council. Research was undertaken on the impacts of inappropriate development across the
city and eastern suburbs, a new freeway and the third runway. The big issue at that time was
the social consequences of economic restructuring. 1989 saw another move to this time to
Alexandria. Environmental issues became a primary concern as well as questions about the
intersection of welfare / community / environmental issues.
The 1990’s began with an examination of Regional Council’s role and relevance in its region.
The organisation was involved in many regional planning committees both departmental and
community. A seminar was organised to support low income residents of the Inner City areas
as gentrification took hold. Economic rationalism arrived, as did the Olympics. The organisation
moved once again this time to Waterloo. A ‘Hands off HACC’ campaign prevented the threatened
loss of HACC funding. A journalist was employed to write Inner Voice. A seminar identifying
quality of life problems for Public Housing Tenants convinced South Sydney Council to set up
the South Sydney Housing Task force and Regional Council received funding for more workers
in various projects including importantly, the Housing Communities Assistance Program (HCAP)
which commenced in April 1994.
The organisation was heavily involved in campaigns such as local bank closures, setting up
community banks, saving Waterloo Post Office, trying to prevent closure of the Rachel Foster
Hospital and the Royal South Sydney Hospital.
The 25th Birthday of Inner Voice was celebrated by the many people involved in the community
sector over that time. Subsequently, Executive Officer, Marg Barry retired, leaving a massive
gap in knowledge and contacts. Regional Council’s Board of Management worked hard with
limited resources to restructure the organisation. The HACC Development Officer changed on
two occasions and the Executive Officer and Inner Voice positions were combined.
The new millennium saw a continuation of the organisation’s adjustment to its changed situation.
Various strategies were tried by the Board to meet the need for
* increased management required to sustain projects
* increasing government accountability requirements
* finding the balance between the management role and the community information/development
role
The funding situation eased with the organisation being offered new monies and the role as a
regional liaison organisation for NCOSS developed.
A new regional housing project, Central Sydney North Regional Tenant Resource Service
(CSNTPRS) commenced in April 2002. Working with Eastern Sydney to stop the closure and
sale of Public Schools in some ways brought us back to our original place.
Today, still housed in Waterloo, Regional Council continues, a strong well-established organisation.
We are going through another period of change but the main challenge is to remain responsive
to the needs of the local communities and the community agencies in each of our regions. |
