Fears Parramatta Light rail could eat restaurants out of business
Works on the $2.4 billion Parramatta Light Rail has started but businesses are bracing for upheaval when their busy dining strip is closed for the controversial project.
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Restaurants on Parramatta’s main dining strip are poised to be the worst hit when construction on the Parramatta Light Rail carves up “Eat St”.
On February 1, the light rail project will close part of Church St, between Macquarie and Market streets.
Drivers will be diverted to Marsden and Smith streets and it will remain open to pedestrians but restaurateurs such as Restaurant 317 manager Christine Sande are concerned diners will still be deterred.
“When someone goes out to eat they go out to eat for great atmosphere,’’ she said.
“What is an experience when all you can see is hoarding, loud noises, drilling, dust?”
Mrs Sande wants the government to work with Church St restaurateurs more closely to help sustain their businesses after the light rail project is completed in 2023.
“How far is the State Government willing to go to support the local small to medium businesses on Church St to make sure that after all the infrastructure … how will they benefit the businesses that are still here?’’
At Church St, preliminary works will start on the light rail tomorrow ahead of construction in June.
Opposition transport spokesman Chris Minns said the light rail in Sydney’s CBD and eastern suburbs was “the last thing people in Parramatta and surrounding suburbs want brought here”.
“The CBD light rail has been a slow-moving debacle, infuriating residents and sending hundreds of local businesses broke – only to result in travel times twice as long as the bus,’’ he said.
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Acting Transport and Roads Minister Paul Toole said Transport for NSW was working hard to minimise the impacts of construction on Church St businesses.
“Transport for NSW will also pause construction from November 1 until January 31 each year along ‘Eat St’ to allow businesses to take advantage of the holiday trading period.
“During this time, events and activities will be put on to support local businesses and encourage families and friends to continue to enjoy all that is on offer.”
In October, Parramatta Council waived dining fees for cafes, bars and restaurants along Church St.
“While we appreciate this period of construction will cause some disruption, we will reap the long-term benefits of having a light rail network that will better connect our city and serve the needs of the community well into the future,’’ Parramatta Lord Mayor Bob Dwyer said.
“In the meantime, together with the State Government, council will keep doing all it can to help support businesses and residents during this period of construction.”