‘Survival Mode’: Nobby Beach business owners blast light rail
A big change is coming to the Nobby Beach business district just days after operators revealed just how badly they were struggling WATCH THE VIDEO
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Concrete barriers along the northern section of the light rail construction zone will come down within a week.
The barriers, which have attracted intense criticism from small business owners, will be gone by April 19, with light rail contractor John Holland Ground replacing them with bollards.
They impacted area will be between Wave Street and Lavarack Road.
GoldlinQ CEO Phil Mumford said wet weather had delayed the removal.
“These barriers were in place while pavement works were completed in the precinct and unfortunately wet weather caused delays,” he said.
“Following this change and later (in April), a new left turnout for traffic will be operational in Nobby Beach.
“We acknowledge the frustration of business operators who had been anticipating an end to the northern pavement works before Easter.
Mr Mumford warned further unpredictable weather could push the work back.
“Given wet weather is forecast to continue in coming days it is important to note the schedule for works in Nobby Beach could be impacted further,” he said.
It comes just days after beloved Nobby Beach record shop Rare Groove closed its doors only six months after warning of the pressures created by light rail construction.
The operators of the shop, Ray Parsons and Jenny Chipman, revealed in a social media post that it had quietly ceased trading after more than 30 years.
The announcement did not directly link the closure to the disruption caused by the construction work.
Business owners along the route, including Bine Bar and Dining, Night Jar and Okawari House owner Scott Imlach, have expressed concern about the impact of the construction works.
‘Despicable’: Anger over brutal state of Nobby Beach strip
Business owners have lashed out about the “despicable” state of the Nobby Beach shopping strip after pressure created by light rail construction.
Adolfo Pimentel moved to the Gold Coast with his wife Lynda nine years ago to start a small family business on Nobby Beach.
The couple own the Nobbys Shack Cafe, which serves healthy refreshments and food.
But with the Stage 3 Light Rail construction in Nobby Beach taking place, the owners say business has veered off the rails in the past few months.
“Every business owner here is in survival mode, trying to push through,” Mr Pimentel said.
“The problem is the council decided to do a multi-million dollar project but they didn’t think about the small business owners. We are collapsing.”
Mrs Pimentel said they relocated the business from their old site two years ago to get away from the construction.
“We moved out of the way in the development that was happening down the road and we took this space and we turned it into a place where people can come and forget about the stress of Covid and everything else that was going on at the time,” she said.
“Having a massive construction fence in front of the shop really deterred people, they can’t even see our business”.
The Bulletin visited the shopping precinct after the Rare Groove Records shop revealed that it had quietly ceased trading after more than 30 years.
Adriano Antonini opened the Tayta Bar and Restaurant eight months ago, two weeks before construction began.
He said the massive fences deter potential customers from coming to his restaurant and was visually “despicable”.
“Why should people come here, it doesn’t look good at all, it’s despicable,” Mr Antonini said.
“Foot traffic has been very slow, I used to see many tourists here but why would they come to Nobbys, it’s not very inviting anymore.
“There are usually more tourists here, but when it looks like crap why would people come here, they go to Broadbeach.”
Dalas Kitchen store owner Jess Davies said her sales were steady because they offer Uber Eats and other means for customers to buy in.
“We’re sort of just rolling with the punches at the moment,” Ms Davies said.
“We have to adapt to change as business owners you know, it’s just the way it works.
“Because we’re a takeaway venue people come and go so it’s not usually a big deal.”
GoldlinQ CEO Phil Mumford said Stage 3 contractor John Holland had “been working directly with businesses in Nobby Beach” since before work started.
“There has been a focus on giving these businesses, and traders right along the alignment, regular updates about coming works and reducing impacts wherever possible,” he said.
“We continue to encourage Gold Coasters to support local businesses throughout light rail works, even when it means parking further away and planning your journey.”
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Originally published as ‘Survival Mode’: Nobby Beach business owners blast light rail
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