The Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC) is pleased to announce an arrangement has been reached which will enable the fitness and aquatics services to continue at 180 George St Redfern.

The announcement has been made in anticipation of the ILSC and the NSW Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) agreeing on the transfer of ownership and operation of these services in the coming days.

“We have been in constant dialogue with key stakeholders over the weekend and, as a result, the ILSC will keep the fitness and aquatic services operating,” said ILSC Group CEO Joe Morrison.

“We are looking forward to meeting with NSWALC to finalise principles for the transfer to them as the new owner and operator.”

Following a two-year due diligence process, ownership of the site was transferred from the ILSC to NSWALC on June 30, 2022.

It was intended as part of the divestment process that ownership of the fitness, aquatics and other services at the site, would also transfer to NSWALC. However, NSWALC subsequently advised the ILSC it was not able to assume the operation of the fitness and aquatics services.

Consequently, the ILSC had made the difficult decision to wind up the fitness and aquatic service, as it is not a funder or provider of ongoing programs.

The ILSC and NSWALC had previously assured all tenants and service providers they would continue to have access to the grounds and facilities at 180 George St Redfern, and this remains the case.

The ILSC acknowledges the decision to wind up the services caused distress for the staff employed in the fitness and aquatic services as well as the community.

The ILSC is confident NSWALC as the new owners and operators will continue to build on the strengths and support of the local community, delivering benefits for all NSW Aboriginal people into the future.

Media contact:

M: 0417 612 618 | E: communications@ilsc.gov.au | W: www.ilsc.gov.au