Decision details

Minute by the Lord Mayor

To Council:

Operating from the NSW Government owned site at 638 Elizabeth Street since 1952, the South Sydney Police Citizens Youth Club (PCYC) has provided a range of activities and support services for young people in the local community, including boxing, Judo, Jiu Jitsu, arts and crafts, basketball and drop-in sessions.

This facility is vital for young people in the local area. That is why the City of Sydney called for the retention and redevelopment of the PCYC in our planning proposal for the site and in our submission to the State Significant Development application for the redevelopment of 600-660 Elizabeth Street, Redfern, which includes the PCYC site.

The redevelopment will deliver around 350 new homes (including at least 109 social, 39 affordable and 11 specialist disability support homes), a new $38 million, 3,500sqm community facility to replace the PCYC, a new head office location for Bridge Housing and a community hub.

Despite not needing to vacate the site until construction starts, South Sydney PCYC decided to close the facility on 31 December 2024 but continues to offer programs and activities for current members at the PCYC Woolloomooloo.

The proposal

The City has received a grant proposal from Bridge Housing Limited in partnership with PCYC NSW Ltd for a new community facility to be delivered, called Redfern Place, as part of the redevelopment at 600-660 Elizabeth Street, Redfern.

The new community facility will be built on the site and designed to meet current and future community needs. The facility, run by Police Citizens Youth Clubs NSW Ltd (PCYC NSW), will provide fitness, health and wellness programs as well as social enterprise ventures, with a focus on engaging all members of the community.

Programs will include those for young people, developed in collaboration with the NSW Police Youth and Crime Prevention commands, along with free youth drop in spaces, free school holiday activities, community room hire, and community events including weekly food support and a community Christmas barbeque.

The facility and service offered by PCYC NSW will complement programs and services the City of Sydney provides in the Redfern area through the Redfern Community Centre and 119 Redfern Street, the City's Aboriginal knowledge and culture centre.

PCYC NSW has committed $3 million of their own funds towards the community facility. Bridge Housing are contributing $3 million in in-kind contributions. The NSW Government has contributed $13.4 million in funding. A further $18.6 million needs to be secured. 

Bridge Housing Limited, in partnership with PCYC NSW, is asking Council to provide a $5 million grant towards the costs of the facility. Bridge Housing is confident that if supported, it could help leverage funding from other NSW and Federal Government agencies to close the funding gap.

COUNCILLOR CLOVER MOORE AO

Lord Mayor

Moved by the Chair (the Lord Mayor) –

It is resolved that:

(A)        Council:

(i)           note its support for the delivery of a significant community facility in order to replace the current PCYC facility at 600-660 Elizabeth Street, Redfern;

(ii)         note that Bridge Housing Limited has lodged a State Significant Development application which incorporates a 3,500sqm community facility which is currently under assessment by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure; and

(iii)        provide in-principle support for a $5 million grant to Bridge Housing Limited in partnership with Police Citizens Youth Clubs NSW Ltd to support the delivery of the proposed community facility, subject to approval of the above State Significant Development application and formal Council approval of the grant following the proper assessment process;

(B)        the Chief Executive Officer be requested to:

(i)           provisionally budget for the payment of this grant within the next 3 financial years and to liaise with Bridge Housing Limited and Police Citizens Youth Clubs NSW Ltd to identify the likely timing as to when the funding will be required; and

(ii)         bring a report for Council's consideration in relation to the grant, following approval of the State Significant Development Application and completion of due diligence on the grant proposal; and

(C)        the Lord Mayor be requested to write to Tanya Plibersek, Federal Member for Sydney to advocate for Commonwealth funding towards the cost of the new PCYC facility at 600-660 Elizabeth Street, Redfern.

Carried unanimously

S051491