Royal Oak Hotel in Parramatta faces demolition in light rail works

It was the watering hole of choice for settlers during colonisation and for footballers on Mad Mondays, but now it is facing the wrecking ball for a light rail stop.

The Royal Oak has been a feature in Parramatta’s CBD for nearly 200 years. The inset photo was taken by Parramatta Council’s engineers’ department in the 1950s.

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LORD Mayor Andrew Wilson has made a last-ditch plea to save “one of the jewels in Parramatta’s crown” from being bulldozed in next year’s light rail works.

The iconic Royal Oak Hotel is set to be flattened in early 2020 — but traffic changes in the State Government’s Parramatta Light Rail plan have prompted Cr Wilson to take a stand for the popular 195-year-old pub’s survival on Church Street.

“When I heard the government was no longer going to use Church Street for heavy traffic and trucks in the city, but instead move them on to O’Connell Street, I thought the government should be fast enough on its feet to save the Royal Oak from demolition,” he said.

“I’d like the State Government to take some notice of the human impacts of building the light rail in Parramatta.

“To keep the history of the Royal Oak, which is certainly part of our fabric and one of the jewels in Parramatta’s crown, would be wonderful. And I call on the government to recognise this before it’s too late.”

As part of the enabling works, George Street will become two-way and O’Connell Street widened to four lanes head of the light rail construction.

Stage 1 of the Parramatta Light Rail route.

The Transport Department said the “removal” of the Royal Oak Hotel was “necessary” to provide sufficient space for two light rail tracks, one traffic lane on either side of the light rail, and a footpath on either side of the road.

Cr Wilson also questioned the need for the light rail route to run along Church Street and why it doesn’t stop closer to the new $300 million Western Sydney Stadium.

“This would surely make more sense,” he said. “The government needs a rethink here.”

Popular meeting spot: Craig Cockburn, John Both, Dave Kelly and Stuart Murray at the Royal Oak Hotel. Picture: AAP Image/Angelo Velardo

Venues NSW recommended that any light rail stop serving Western Sydney Stadium be between 400-500m from the stadium entrance to maintain a safe environment following sporting events.

The Lord Mayor’s comments come after two major contracts were awarded to build and operate Stage 1 of the $2.4 billion project that will connect Westmead to Carlingford, via Parramatta CBD and Camellia.

A joint venture between Downer and CPB Contractors won the $840 million contract to build the light rail system, while the Great River City Light Rail consortium got the nod for the $536 million contract to supply and operate the network and build the depot, light rail stops and power systems.

How the light rail is expected to look on Macquarie St, Parramatta.

The government is yet to release the business plan for Stage 2, linking Parramatta to Olympic Park via Rydalmere, Melrose Park and Wentworth Point. The final business case was due to be submitted to government last month.

The Parramatta Light Rail is expected to begin operations in 2023, offering a “turn up and go” service that runs every seven minutes during peak periods.

Centenary square once light rail construction is complete.

LAST DRINKS

IT’S stood since explorers Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth first crossed the Blue Mountains — but the Royal Oak Hotel is facing last drinks.

A pub historian says it is not only one of the most historic hotels in the Harbour City, but all of Australia.

“It may have been established as early as 1813, but the pub was in place by 1823,” said Gary Carter, who featured the Royal Oak in his recent book, The History of Pubs in Parramatta.

The hotel still has the distinct look it did decades ago.

Back in the 1840s, it was one of 56 licensed pubs in Parramatta. Today, just seven stand.

“The Royal Oak’s been an important social hub of Parramatta for a long time. It is full of great memories of the ghosts of drinkers past with the drinkers of today,” Mr Carter said.

“But it’s more than just a drinking establishment. It’s a wonderful part of our history.”

Royal Oak owner Rebecca Walsh said “you can’t put a price on the heritage value of this pub”, where Eels and Western Sydney Wanderers home games started and finished before Parramatta Stadium was bulldozed in 2017.

Eels players in costume as they celebrate ‘Mad Monday’ at the Royal Oak in 2010.

“I had a 98-year-old woman tell me her and her brother used to ride to the pub on their horses when they were younger, tie their horses out the back and come in for a drink,” said Ms Walsh, whose family have run the pub for the past 12 years.

“Something like that shows how much history there’s been here. People have been coming to this pub for many, many years.

“To have the (light rail) stop here, instead of out the front of the football stadium, doesn’t make any sense.”

The Royal Oak is one of about 20 properties that will be compulsory acquired by the government to make way for the light rail.