Royal Oak Parramatta to remain open longer
As they descended on the Royal Oak Hotel Parramatta one last time, news began to leak that gave patrons, most who came to drown their sorrows, some hope.
Parramatta
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Patrons are buying their mates a second round of “last drinks” at Parramatta’s heritage-listed Royal Oak Hotel after the government told the owners it had pushed back the closing date.
The pub held a farewell knees-up on Sunday, before the Berejiklian Government bulldozes it for the $2.4 billion Parramatta Light Rail.
Two days earlier, owners were informed about the delay but proceeded with the farewell to accommodate those who were travelling interstate for the event.
The pub will reportedly stay open a month longer while it negotiates with the government.
Owners believed the government could be behind schedule but pub supporters are hopeful pleas to retain the hotel can still be heard while the hotel is still open.
“I’m going to take it as a small victory for the site,’’ Parramatta Labor councillor Donna Davis said.
“At least it’s given a little more time to review the options, particularly the use of the lanes.”
Heritage supporters have called on the government to consider allowing car and tram lanes to merge outside the Royal Oak in an effort to save it from demolition.
The hotel is set too far into the street, earmarking it for the bulldozer.
At the last day at the pub on Australia Day, NSW Labor leader Jodi McKay labelled the Berejiklian Government “unAustralian” for shutting the community icon.
“Following the closure of Parramatta Pool, Parramatta Speedway and the pending wrecking ball through Willow Grove, many in the Parramatta community are up in arms at Gladys Berejiklian and local Liberal (Parramatta) MP Geoff Lee,’’ she said.
“The Berejiklian Government is showing total contempt for the heritage and history that make Parramatta so special.
“Even now, it is not too late for Gladys Berejiklian and Geoff Lee to listen to the community, reconsider the light rail route and save the Royal Oak.”
The pub’s Cobb & Co stabling yards will remain, but supporters want the entire hotel to stay.
Northmead resident Shan McNamara lamented the loss of the pub.
“I bought my first beer there in 1988,’’ she said.
“There’s lots of people with memories there. It’s sad we are losing history for a bloody railway when we have a bus service that works perfectly.’’
A Transport for NSW spokeswoman said it was working closely with the owners of the Royal Oak Hotel to negotiate the handover of the property and had allowed extra time for that to occur.
However, alternative traffic options have been rejected and the hotel’s demolition is still proceeding.
“The removal of the Royal Oak Hotel is necessary to provide sufficient space for two light rail tracks in the centre of Church St, one traffic lane either side of the light rail, and a footpath on either side of the road,’’ the spokeswoman said.
“Both traffic lanes need to be wide enough to accommodate buses and trucks.”
“Alternative routes were found to have a greater number of disadvantages compared to the route along Church St.”