City of Sydney councillor Angela Vithoulkas, who owns and runs Vivo Cafe on George St in the city, calls the treatment by Transport for NSW and the light rail as “never-ending” and “depressing”.

“I’ve seen grown men crying every day since the construction started, wondering how they’re going to feed their family, having to go and get another job as well as run their businesses,” Cr Vithoulkas said.

“These businesses have suffered so much economic devastation that there’s no more wiggle room, we already owe too much in back rent, we haven’t been able to pay our taxes, it’s getting worse and it’s still ongoing even though they say the street is open.”

Cr Vithoulkas is warning restaurants on Parramatta’s Eat Street to expect the same, and demand more now, before the construction begins.

“No matter what you do or say, it doesn’t matter about your Facebook strategy, people don’t want to come to a construction zone to eat, with dust and noise,” she said.

“Businesses need to demand financial assistance, not crumbs afterwards, but real financial compensation.

“The light rail should be compensated, it’s like an act of God with no mercy.”

A Transport for NSW spokeswoman said one-on-one support was being provided to businesses on Church St.

“Transport for NSW is engaging closely with local businesses to provide one-on-one support, including dedicated place managers who meet regularly with Eat Street businesses,” the spokeswoman said.

“We will hold regular information sessions and provide specialist business advice to ensure that Eat Street remains ‘open for business’ during construction.”

Cr Vithoulkas has thrown her hat in the ring for the 2019 state election, vowing to take her opposition of the light rail’s construction to the upper house with her party, Small Business Matters, which she says aims to place businesses impacted by the light rail at the centre.

“The light rail project needs to learn from the failures of the past,” she said.

“They didn’t learn from the city, they haven’t learnt in Newcastle, I want them to learn and help the businesses in Parramatta and acknowledge that they made mistakes, rather than just humiliate small business owners who can’t come back from the devastation.”

The Department of Planning and Environment is assessing stage one of the project. Approval from Planning Minister Anthony Roberts is required before Transport for NSW can begin construction.

Sports club draws the line

GRANVILLE Waratahs Soccer Club has had an uphill battle against the light rail plans.

Three years ago, the route for the rail would have cut Robin Thomas Reserve Park, which the club calls home, squarely in half, but after speaking out, club president Noel Dona said they gained some ground.

“When we first saw the plans it effectively directed the park, rendering it useless as a sports park,” Mr Dona said.

“Our lobbying forced the government to look at alternative routes, which we are very proud of, but the alternative that they now want is still not good enough.”

The light rail plan, which has flagged seven possible routes, has recommended a line that runs down Harris St, removing up to 15m from the park and uprooting a row of boundary fig trees.

“I’m no tree hugger, but these trees are a safety barrier for the kids who just blindly chase soccer balls around near a road,” Dona said.

He and the club have offered an alternative route, which includes the State Government buying the former Cumberland Newspapers site from developer Dyldam and sending the rail through Macquarie St via a widened Argus Lane.

“Effectively what we’ve been told is that if this wasn’t a developer’s site it would be the better option, but instead they’re kowtowing to the big end of town and chopping into a park because council land is easier to buy than a private site,” he said.

The 15m land loss would also mean adult soccer games could no longer be played on the field, a fact that Dona said will force the growing population around the park elsewhere.

“We’ve doubled our club members in five years and that’s going to grow when more people move into these high-rises, but if they can’t play here, what’s the point?” he said.

A park masterplan was presented to Parramatta Council which would include upgraded facilities paid for by the government.

“We shouldn’t be accepting this upgrade as a kickback so we’ll accept them chopping into our field,” Dona said.

“We deserve the upgrades anyway. We are on the doorstep of the Parramatta CBD, and it’s a shame that we currently have rat-infested canteens and an antique clubhouse because we can’t get any funding.

“If this goes through, I will feel violated. I feel like we’re putting up an argument that’s in the best interest of the community and if they flat out say no, it will be an elitist decision basically telling us to go to hell.”

Transport for NSW and the club have had regular meetings to discuss the route.

“Transport for NSW (has) held three meetings (with the club) since November 2017,” a spokeswoman said.

“Parramatta Light Rail has committed to working closely with the club on design considerations to enhance the standard of public open space and amenity within Robin Thomas Reserve as part of the light rail works, including a new fence which is part of the City of Parramatta’s masterplan to deliver the best outcome for the community and park users.”

GRANVILLE WARATAHS

Granville Waratahs is the oldest club in Australia.

It was founded in 1902 and the junior club can be traced back to 1898.

The club has produced three Socceroos: Bill Henderson who competed with the side as goal keeper during the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, Kenny Vairy, played as striker against South Africa in 1955 and Mark Jankovic played with Granville as an under 14 and was a striker for Australia in the mid 1980s.

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