Call to allow $100 NSW Government dining vouchers in Parramatta restaurants

The ‘engine room of the NSW economy’ has suffered a hit from Covid and transport projects, but calls to extend Friday dining vouchers to Parramatta have been snubbed.

Parramatta has an appetite for a Friday feed with its Lord Mayor calling for the state government to give western Sydney a “fair go’’ and extend its dining vouchers to the CBD in an effort to help its battered economy recover.

This month, the government announced its $50 million Thank God It’s Friday scheme, which allows diners to use $100 at restaurants in Sydney’s CBD from summer.

Mayor Bob Dwyer called for NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Premier Gladys Berejiklian to extend its support to businesses in Parramatta “who have taken a big hit during the pandemic’’ and during light rail construction at Church St, where traders did not receive government compensation.

“Parramatta is facing the same challenges as the Sydney CBD in welcoming back the workforce, and our restaurants, cafes and entertainment venues have been feeling the pain,” Cr Dwyer said.

Parramatta Lord Mayor Bob Dwyer wants a boost for Parramatta restaurateurs. Picture: Angelo Velardo

“It is only fair that our local businesses are afforded the same support, and NSW residents are given the same incentive, to inject some much-needed cash in one of Australia’s fastest growing regions.

“I call on the NSW Premier and Treasurer to expand the latest $100 voucher program to the Parramatta CBD and show that they care about Sydney’s west.”

Longstanding restaurant El-Phoenician, which has been hit hard by the light rail construction on Church St, where several eateries collapsed, backed the mayor’s calls.

“Friday lunches were very big,’’ co-owner Tony El-Bayeh said.

“I think Parramatta would need the vouchers before the CBD. The Dine and Discover has been a lifesaver.’’

Just this week, the Lebanese restaurant lost 300 bookings following the announcement of stricter COVID-19 restrictions that reduce limit restaurant capacity.

Transport for NSW light rail works along the dining strip are due to wrap up in late July but much of the construction will engulf Parramatta for the next decade when the Powerhouse Museum and Metro West are due to be built.

Cr Dwyer said the projects would be game changers “but our growing city once they are complete, but until then we need to make sure our local economy not only survives but thrives’’.

El-Phoenician restaurateur Tony El-Bayeh is ready to welcome back more diners after the pandemic and light rail disruptions. Picture: Monique Harmer

But the Friday office lunch is off the menu for Parramatta restaurants.

The Premier’s office directed inquiries to Customer Service Minister Victor Dominello who did not indicate Parramatta would be cashing in any Thank God It’s Friday vouchers.

“The hospitality, arts and cultural industries in the Sydney CBD, especially on Fridays, have been heavily impacted by the pandemic and international border closures, and the vouchers are intended to boost the economy and provide these businesses with much needed stimulus,’’ he said.

“Short term arrivals to NSW in April sat at just under 11,000 – a 96 per cent decrease on pre-pandemic averages of around 234,000 per month.’’

“We know that businesses throughout the State have been impacted by the pandemic, which is why the Government rolled out its $500 million Dine & Discover NSW program.”

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