It is
resolved that:
(A)
Council approve a $1,000,000 (excluding GST)
cash grant to the University of Technology Sydney to support the creation of
Australia's first Indigenous Residential College, subject to the following
conditions:
(i)
if all necessary funding has not been secured by
University of Technology Sydney for the agreed value of the project within 18
months of Council approval of the grant, Council reserves the right to withdraw
the grant offer;
(ii)
the grant funds are to be paid when a
Construction Certificate has been awarded;
(iii)
if University of Technology Sydney does not
complete the redevelopment referred to in Attachment A to the subject report by
30 June 2025, the City reserves the right to require the $1,000,000 grant to be
repaid;
(iv) the
property supported though this grant will remain as subsidised accommodation
and supporting facilities to fulfil the aims of the Indigenous Residential
College outlined in Attachment A to the subject report in perpetuity, unless Council exercises a right under
paragraph (iii) above, or paragraph (vi);
(v)
the City will require a caveat or similar
instrument over the land title to protect the land use referred to in paragraph
(iv) unless the grant funds are repaid in accordance with paragraphs (iii) or
(vi);
(vi) if
the use of land referred to in paragraph (iv) above changes from the Indigenous
Residential College outlined in Attachment A, the grant will be repaid by
University of Technology Sydney, less building depreciation;
(vii) the
University of Technology Sydney must work with the City to:
(a)
identify ways for the City to be involved in
programming the space;
(b)
provide further information on the role of First
Nations people in leading and co-creating the project;
(c)
provide further information on the entry
pathways available for local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents
including scholarships and what measures are in place to ensure student numbers
for Indigenous student do not fall below 50 per cent;
(d)
provide further information on the selection
criteria to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students represent at
least 50 per cent of the student population and the organisation's proposed
response should student numbers fall below this level; and
(e)
ensure the building is designed with best
practice environmental standards including a pathway towards net zero
emissions;
(B)
Council note plans for University of Technology
Sydney's Indigenous Residential College are yet to be finalised and development
consent has not been applied for;
(C)
Council note that this grant does not meet the
criteria of the Affordable and Diverse Housing Fund;
(D)
the cash grant to support the creation of
Australia’s first Indigenous Residential College be funded from the 2019/2020
General Contingency; and
(E)
authority be delegated
to the Chief Executive Officer to negotiate, execute and administer a grant
agreement with University of Technology Sydney related to the project described
in clause (A).
Carried
unanimously.
S117676