Parliamentary inquiry into light rail project voted through
A NSW parliamentary inquiry will scrutinise the delays and costs of the $2.1 billion Sydney light rail project, the upper house Public Accountability Committee voted unanimously just after midday today.
Central Sydney
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- 110 businesses interested in joining light rail class action
- State government to compensate George St businesses for light rail disruption
A NSW parliamentary inquiry will scrutinise the delays and costs of the $2.1 billion Sydney light rail project.
The public inquiry will allow businesses and residents to come forward and make submissions to the inquiry about the project.
The inquiry will refer to not only compensation offered to those affected by light rail construction but the process of the whole project including delays and costs.
Central Sydney understands that the upper house Public Accountability Committee, chaired by Christian Democratic Party member Fred Nile, voted unanimously to establish the inquiry just after midday on Tuesday.
It is expected to open later today with submissions open to the public on the NSW Parliament website.
The joint party committee of seven included Liberal MP Matthew Mason-Cox who has previously crossed the floor over contentious issues.
The light rail has been criticised for running well over its original deadline.
Originally set for completion in 2019 the revised finishing date is now March 2020.
City of Sydney councillor and Small Business Matters Party founder Angela Vithoulkas called on people to come forward and make submissions.
“I think the inquiry is exactly what needs to take place in order to uncover the truth about this project and to allow every single small business owner, property owner, resident and worker in Sydney to come forward without hesitation and speak directly to Parliament about what they have experienced,” Cr Vithoulkas said.
“There is no need for anyone to fear any repercussions here. The truth needs to be told and the reality of how poorly treated the businesses and residents have been and how humiliated they have felt and how ripped of they are needs to come to light,” she said.
The news foreshadows a possible class action law suit being brought against the state government by small business owners and residents affected by the light rail.
More than 110 businesses and residents affected by the Sydney light rail project have registered their interest in joining the suit.
Last year Central Sydney revealed the state government had agreed to backdate rent relief to businesses who could prove they had been affected as a result of delayed construction along the light rail route.
This followed a campaign led by City of Sydney councillor, George St cafe owner and Small Business Matters party founder Angela Vithoulkas.
The Sydney Light Rail Class Action Suit campaign was launched in March to evaluate whether there was a case for class action against the department following claims of false promises of support and compensation.
Reports surfaced of businesses being knocked back because they had been forced into liquidation, employed too many staff, owned a second shop elsewhere or the business was on the second floor.
Transport for NSW (TfNSW) has recently relaxed several of the conditions businesses have to meet to be eligible for backdated rent relief, known as the Small Business Assistance Program.
While as recently as February businesses were only eligible if they employed fewer than 20 full-time employees, relief is now available to businesses with up to 50 full-time employees.
Businesses must still be located along the alignment or in proximity to and impacted by construction activity and be in a zone where construction is taking longer than advised.
A TfNSW spokeswoman said the state government had offered financial assistance to 56 small businesses.
Businesses who are now eligible can apply for financial assistance from when construction started.