Merrylands to get $11 million civic square but fears for Hrt2Hrt Lebanese restaurant’s future

New images reveal what an ‘open and green’ $11 million civic square in western Sydney will look like, but a veteran business owner has been critical of the project.

Plans for Merrylands’ $11 million civic square have been revealed but the owner of a Lebanese restaurant and sweet shop fears the project will cause his business of 22 years to suffer while it is under construction.

The meeting hub will connect Merrylands Rd to McFarlane St and is part of broader $30 infrastructure upgrades as part of the CBD’s transformation.

“This revitalisation project aims to transform Merrylands CBD into a modern and vibrant centre through the creation of future development opportunities, improved infrastructure and public amenities,’’ Cumberland Mayor Steve Christou said.

“Consultation started back in the Holroyd Council days and after many years of looking at glossy conceptual drawings, we’re finally moving ahead with a project that will be transformative for the CBD. It’s a huge leap forward for businesses and the community.’’

The civic square development will replace part of the council carpark on McFarlane St.

The square is being constructed on part of the Cumberland Council carpark at McFarlane St, which Hrt2Hrt Lebanese restaurant owner Sam Elfawal said “all’’ his customers used.

Mr Elfawal said the council was not professional and failed to give business owners enough notice about the carpark closure, not three weeks.

“Council didn’t approach it right,’’ he said.

“We’re not against the work but they shouldn’t have advised us three weeks earlier. It takes at least two months to address people.’’

An artist impression of Merrylands' civic square development.

Cr Christou said the council had consulted Mr Elfawal about the works over the past 12 months, including in May and June, and despite his request to close the carpark in stages, could not deliver it for safety reasons.

“Council has been thorough in consulting with nearby businesses, residents and other stakeholders,’’ Cr Christou said.

“Stakeholders have been supportive of the plans, which will create a springboard for growth and vitalisation of the whole area.’’

As a solution, the council successfully requested Stockland shopping centre management extend its parking hours from 8pm to 11pm.

“The Stockland Merrylands carpark is, I suppose, better than nothing,’’ Mr Elfawal said.

“We’re still better off than a lot of people in Parramatta.’’

The council’s Addlestone Rd carpark remains open.

Hrt2Hrt owner Sam Elfawal fears a drop in customers now the McFarlane St carpark has closed. Picture: Monique Harmer

The State Government is funding half of the civic square project under its NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program.

Cr Christou said the government was reliant on councils meeting agreed targets to speed up local development applications.

He said between July 2020 and January 2021, the council achieved a median processing time of 78 days, beating a target of 86 days.

It reduced processing development application times from the third longest in NSW to “among the best in the state”.

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