Parramatta Light Rail construction on Church St to continue in summer
Dust-riddled work on the Parramatta Light Rail through the CBD’s dining strip will press ahead through summer after the government switched plans to halt work for three months. Now it is being called to inject funds to assist struggling businesses.
Parramatta
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The State Government’s decision to continue work on the $2.4 billion Parramatta Light Rail at the Church St dining strip through summer has been slammed but supporters say it will allow the work to get the “hell out of’’ there.
The government initially planned a grace period that would halt construction on the “Eat St” from November to February in an effort to attract more customers in the busier summer months.
But Transport Minister Andrew Constance this week said work at Church St would be fast-tracked so it could be completed in August 2021 and return “the precinct to sophisticated outdoor dining as quickly as possible’’.
“Following engagement with local businesses, the feedback is clear – they want us to get on with the job,’’ Mr Constance said.
“Due to the disruption of COVID-19, the foot traffic is not there to sustain a long break in construction when we could be fast-tracking these infrastructure works.’’
The government said Transport for NSW consulted the Parramatta Light Rail Business Reference Group and the Eat Street businesses on whether to postpone the grace period activation, and 90 per cent backed fast-tracking the work.
Parramatta Council has expressed opposition to abandoning the grace period.
Restaurant 317 co-owner Pierre Sande elected to continue work.
“I can see why they (the council) want to activate the city during summer but there was going to be no umbrellas, there’s no shade and you’re restricted on how much seating you can have,’’ he said.
“So from a business point of view, we want to push through it, get through it, get the stuff over and done with and get the light rail the hell out of here.”
Instead, the three-month grace period will be postponed to August 2021, before the
second phase of light rail works, installation of light rail stops, testing and commissioning begins.
Parramatta Chamber of Commerce President Schon Condon said the community was looking forward to a rejuvenated Eat St.
“It has been a hard road for local businesses with the pandemic and it is heartening to see the light at the end of the tunnel for light rail,’’ he said.
Church St businesses away from the dining hub, including Peter Wynn’s Score, have been feeling the crippling setbacks of the construction and pandemic.
“It’s been a disaster,’’ Peter Wynn said.
“It’s been the toughest year in business. It’s just unprecedented.’’
Parramatta Lord Mayor Bob Dwyer has called on the government to match the council’s $70,000 for a Church St marketing campaign and up to $250,000 for free parking at the Riverbank and Eat St carparks on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
The council also wants construction to cease on the dining strip at 5pm from Thursday to Saturday, install hoardings to reduce noise and dust and offering businesses rent support.
“We understand many local businesses support an earlier finish to major works and we hope this fast-tracking helps minimise impacts for them,” Cr Dwyer said.
“However, Eat St a vital dining and retail district in Parramatta and these businesses have been doing it tough because of COVID-19 and Parramatta Light Rail construction.
“Now is the time for the NSW Government to ramp up its support for Parramatta’s restaurants, cafes and retailers — especially since foot traffic has taken such a huge hit.’’
A Transport for NSW spokeswoman said a raft of measures including “game day” and “shop local” campaigns had been implemented to encourage visitors to restaurants, bars and cafes.
She said construction would not occur between 6pm and midnight without business consultation.
“Requests to conduct out of hours works have been denied where it was felt that noise would disrupt the businesses’ trade,’’ she said.
“Transport for NSW offers free business support services through Realise Business, that have already helped some local businesses achieve reduced rent, boost their social media presence and explore new markets and opportunities.”
Infrastructure works to be completed on Church St, also known as Eat St, between George and Market streets, this summer include the laying of light rail tracks and the powering of streetlights.