Business owner says Torrens to Darlington relocation process has left him facing an uncertain future

The owner of a long-running South Rd business, set to be acquired for the Torrens to Darlington project, says he is fearful for the future.

The owner of a long-running auto business forced to move because of the Torrens to Darlington project says the relocation process has left him financially disadvantaged and facing an uncertain future.

Ernie Lepore, owner of Matlin Auto on South Rd at Richmond, must vacate the site by November 2024 to make way for the motorway.

He has been working for several months with case managers from the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) to find a new premises, but has been presented with no suitable “like for like” option.

Mr Lepore said his business requires 600sq m of working area and about 15 car parks out the front.

“A couple of (the options presented), which might have been appropriate as far as the building goes, didn’t have the car parks,” he said.

He said a “like for like” property must be in the Richmond area, where his business has traded for nearly 30 years and built a loyal base of customers.

Ernie Lepore at Matlin Auto. Picture: Matt Loxton

“My customers are directly in this area. It’s crucial I stay around the current site,” he said.

He said the uncertainty had been an issue for staff, and led at least one to resign.

“It’s affected my business before we’ve even moved but it feels like no one is even listening,” he said.

Mr Lepore said the process has also hurt him financially. He said the department refused to fully reimburse him the near-$7000 cost of compiling financial information that he had been asked to provide.

A DIT spokesman said the department was working with Mr Lepore “to facilitate a positive outcome for the relocation of his business, as has been achieved for other businesses”.

“This has included engaging independent agents to identify potential properties for the relocation of Matlin Auto,” he said.

“A number of potential new locations have been identified and offered, however none of these have been considered suitable by Mr Lepore.”

The spokesman said the department has also offered to reimburse “fair and reasonable professional fees incurred by Mr Lepore”, allocated a case manager to provide support through the process, and can also facilitate confidential counselling if required.

Opposition transport spokesman Vincent Tarzia said acquisition is already difficult for businesses, and it is “an extra kick in the guts” that the government is not providing sufficient support.

“Instead of helping small businesses thrive, it’s concerning to hear of the distress, uncertainty and income loss caused by Labor’s actions,” he said.

But Transport and Infrastructure Minister Tom Koutsantonis hit back, saying the previous government had a “dismissive attitude to engagement with the residents and businesses whose properties they were acquiring”.

“Under Labor, my department has placed significant emphasis on engaging sensitively and cooperatively with stakeholders throughout this very difficult process,” he said.

Originally published as Business owner says Torrens to Darlington relocation process has left him facing an uncertain future