By Sunanda Creagh Urban Affairs Reporter
A PLAN to renovate a Redfern community centre and invite Aboriginal artists to repaint a destroyed mural has reopened old wounds in the rapidly changing suburb, pitting some residents against members of the indigenous community.
The Settlement Neighbourhood Centre, an 81-year-old institution on Edward Street, has submitted a development application to the City of Sydney for permission to undertake alterations and extensions, and to reinstate a 30-year-old mural removed in 2005.
The mural, by the indigenous artists Tracey Moffatt, Jeffrey Samuels, Fiona Foley and Avril Quaill, was protected by a council order but removed three years ago after a group of residents took control of the centre's management committee.
One resident, Bill Sheridan, said he objected to the mural.
"It's out of character with the local area," he said. "It was painted over because it never should have been there in the first place. A mural will take away from the Victorian landscape."
Mr Sheridan said he joined the centre's board because he wanted to make the centre more efficient and less Aboriginal-focused. "It was taken over in the '70s by basically left-leaning people who don't put money into maintaining it. They moved out the bingo ladies and made it a purely Aboriginal thing."
Lyn Turnbull, a long-time Redfern resident who has been involved with the centre for more than 20 years, said: "We were appalled when we heard it had been painted over."
After regaining control of the board, a coalition that includes Mrs Turnbull has invited Moffatt and Quaill to repaint the mural.
The plan has been criticised by some residents who fear it will encourage graffiti.
Mrs Turnbull said animosity between the centre - which primarily provides services to indigenous people - and newcomers to the area had lessened. "However, I don't think the desire from some people to get rid of the Settlement from the street has dissipated altogether," she said.
The council received 21 objections to the plans to renovate the centre and repaint the mural but its planning committee voted unanimously to approve the application last night. It goes to a full meeting of council on Monday.