RESIDENT ACTION GROUPS IN SYDNEY - PEOPLE POWER OR RAT-BAGS

This paper presents an analysis of a neglected area of study by geogra phers; that of resident action groups During the 1980s there has been a significant increase in the number of resident action groups through out Sydney. Resident activism has influenced local planning processes, the location of noxious facilities and subsequent urban form. This ha s initiated important reactions by government at both the local and St ate levels. Urban collective activisms have been hypothesised as singl e-issue, self-serving NIMBY groups. However, RAGs are also empowering forces, in which women and men are introduced to the political structu res and become engaged in protest and resistance that can challenge th e social and spatial order. RAGs can, either singularly or cumulativel y, force a re-aligning of existing power relations, and they can neces sitate changed modes of governance (or govern mentality).