After deferred discussion, Aboriginal creative and cultural use will be prioritised in the future use of a large and much-loved hub in Redfern.

Last week, City of Sydney councillors carried a motion on 107 Redfern Street unanimously, a site previously managed by social enterprise '107 Projects' as an arts hub and regular exhibition space.

Following proposed amendments to the site's planned future as a broader creative space not prioritising the local Indigenous community in February, independent Councillor and Wiradjuri woman Yvonne Weldon's motion putting Aboriginal interests front and centre was approved on March 17.

With it, City of Sydney have committed to "prioritise local Aboriginal creative and cultural use of 107 Redfern Street, while retaining broader community use".

Local Aboriginal groups have been invited to present their expressions of interest for intended tenancy and use of the space ahead of future Council meetings.

Councillor Weldon told National Indigenous Times 107 Redfern Street presents organisations, particularly performance groups, with an opportunity they are often priced out of, unable to access or can be uncomfortable using.

"I'm glad that we've got the resolution that we have. An Aboriginal community-led approach, which I think is important, particularly here in Sydney and indeed in Redfern," she said.

"I think it's a real bonus that it's our people coming together in a contemporary setting, in a contemporary way, but with our culture that we continue to practice and live and share (with everyone)."

In February, Council deferred its discussion on community consultation for the future use of the site after it was put forward by Greens Councillor Sylvie Ellsmore, and seconded by Councillor Weldon.

Councillor Ellsmore backed prioritised Aboriginal community and group use of 107 Redfern Street.

At that previous meeting, Councillor Jess Miller put forward the amendment, citing City of Sydney's Cultural Strategy, suggesting predominant use as a more broadly-available creative space amid a "critical shortage" of similar spaces across the city.

Councillor Weldon, who voted against deferring the matter, described the meeting as "painful" when speaking with National Indigenous Times last week.

"I'm shocked that Council weren't otherwise included in deliberations about the future of 107 Redfern Street. But I'm more shocked and insulted that the Aboriginal community have been left out," she said at the February 17 Council meeting.

"As this motion notes, there has been a long-running community interest in the space at 107 Redfern Street from Aboriginal organisations.

"Moreover, the City's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Panel have consistently called for 107 Redfern Street to be made available for Aboriginal community use, but of course, not exclusively as First Nations people. We include all but we actually aren't included in the same way."

City of Sydney's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Panel submitted their position on the use of the site in writing.

This was accompanied by submissions from local Indigenous organisations including; Babana Aboriginal Men's Group, Aboriginal Medical Service, Gadigal Information Service, Aboriginal Housing company and First Nations Response.

These letters reminded council "that this has been the demand for a very long time, and it is the unanimous position of our Aboriginal Torres Strait advisory Group," Councillor Ellsmore said at the February 17 meeting, before urging other Council members "not to vote for an amendment that would strip out any specific commitment to Aboriginal engagement and priorities in this motion".

Councillor Weldon, who had previously served on the Advisory Group before her election, declared 107 Redfern Street was raised in every meeting she attended while on it.

Councillor Weldon said 107 Redfern Street sits along a strip, which she remembers as a kid, as the birthplace of Aboriginal organisations - some still operating, and movements which have since "shown the way for the country".

"It was so clear to everyone that there is a need. You can have a lot of buildings and spaces and places that say they're doing things for Aboriginal people, but this is Aboriginal people stepping up and saying 'This is what we need to do for our people on the ground in the coalface,'" she said.

107 Projects handed back management of the Redfern Street site and the Joynton Avenue Creative Centre in nearby Zetland to the City of Sydney on September 30, 2024.

Both properties are owned by the City of Sydney.

On March 17, Council committed to prioritising Aboriginal creative and cultural use at 107 Redfern Street, to undertake an open expression of interest process for Aboriginal organisations about utilising the site while ensuring targeted engagement with the local Aboriginal community.

Short-term tenancies are preferred, with Council set to undertake necessary maintenance and upgrades and, in the absence of Aboriginal management, create a panel to ensure local community input and oversight.

The agreement is set for review after three years, before the next Council election.

"There's an opportunity to share what we do, what we have done for thousands and thousands of generations. We can do that in the heart of Redfern and put real self-determination in action," Councillor Weldon said.