Sydney Metro West acquisitions: business owners reject government compensation offers

A group of Sydney small business owners say they are being ripped off by the NSW Government as part of acquisition plans for the Sydney Metro West. See what they have been offered.

Devastated business owners nearing the compulsory acquisition deadline for the Sydney Metro West in Clyde are preparing to take their fight for fair compensation to the Valuer-General — as concept plans for the multibillion-dollar project are green lit.

On Tuesday, Transport Minister Andrew Constance and Planning Minister Rob Stokes celebrated two major planning approvals for Metro West, with the government championing the project as creating thousands of jobs and “paving the way for mega tunnel boring machines to be in the ground by the end of next year”.

(L TO R) Saeed Ghorbani, Any Shape Plastics boss Lal Gill and Karandeep Singh Chowdhary at the Clyde factory set to be acquired by the government for Sydney Metro West. Picture: Jake McCallum

However, Clyde property and business owners — the vast majority of whom have refused Sydney Metro’s “disgustingly low” acquisition offers — say the government’s shouldn’t be celebrating yet.

They are preparing to battle for like-for-like compensation from the NSW Government forced acquisition of their properties and livelihoods.

NewsLocal understands as much as 66 per cent of business owners in Clyde have refused acquisition valuations set by the NSW Government for Sydney Metro to purchase their properties and relocate or extinguish businesses.

In April last year, the Parramatta Advertiser revealed a total of 35 properties in Clyde, including the Sydney Speedway, were facing the wrecking ball alongside dozens of others across the proposed route.

One business owner, Antoine Hayek of Hospitality Equipment 2020 said he was preparing for an imminent refit of his Tennyson Rd industrial complex when two acquisition specialists walked into his Clyde showroom unannounced — telling him he would need to vacate for the Metro project.

Mr Hayek said he had just 40 minutes of face-time with Sydney Metro representatives in the 18 months since he was notified of the government’s intention to buy his land.

‘No where to go’: HE2020 boss Antoine Hayek at the Clyde factory at the centre of Metro West acquisitions. Picture: Jake McCallum

“Sydney Metro offered me less than 30 per cent of the total cost of my business to relocate and re-establish in a like-for-like premises,” Mr Hayek said.

“We were disgusted, it was no where near a reasonable rate, I looked at the offer and thought it was completely insulting.”
The 63-year-old business man said he was initially shocked, then outraged by the minimal amount of time taken by Sydney Metro officer to sit down and consult him on the acquisition process.

“We have looked at over 200 properties searching for one that is a suitable location for our business, within a 10km radius,” he said. “Of the 200 properties we have assessed in the last 18 months, there have only been eight that come close to being like-for-like.

A Metro train seen approaching the Metro stabling yard, similar to what will be built at Clyde. (AAP Image/Joel Carrett)

“I do not know what to do next, we can’t afford to move without suitable compensation, we haven’t been able to find a central location to meet our distribution needs and from what the government is offering we could only afford a place out the back of Bourke.”

Much like Mr Hayek, Any Shape Plastics chief Lal Gill who operates out of a neighbouring warehouse said he feared he would be unable to provide employment for staff when the acquisition deadline hits.

“The government may be planning major infrastructure, but they are killing businesses, livelihoods and jobs for their taxpayers in the process,” Mr Gill told NewsLocal.

“We have no money to move out of their way, and the government isn’t being fair when it comes to valuation of business and real estate when acquiring land.”

The sole operator of two local businesses said he was offered just 20 per cent of his total relocation costs.

Any Shape Plastics boss Lal Gill at the Clyde factory at the centre of Metro West acquisitions. Picture: Jake McCallum

“This process has not been fair, the NSW Government is ripping off families and killing business for this project,” he said. “The aren’t only killing my business, but also my employees, my customers and other small businesses.”

Transport Minister Andrew Constance toured an Eastern Creek facility on Tuesday morning following the NSW Planning approval.

“We are ready to hit the ground running with work on the new Sydney Metro West tunnels and station excavations, between Westmead and The Bays,” Mr Constance said.

While Planning Minister Rob Stokes forecast the approvals as “a huge step forward for Sydney Metro West”.

Supplied Artist Impressions of Sydney Metro WEST stations. Parramatta Station

Last week, NewsLocal revealed the NSW Government advised residents and business owners surrounding designated metro precincts that land acquisitions wouldn’t be finalised as expected on March 12, instead Sydney Metro has delayed finalisation until March 19 or later.

In a letter sent out to affected parties on March 12 — when gazettal documents were expected to be released — a Sydney Metro representative said Governor approval was required before acquisition notices could be handed down.

But a spokesman said that no delay had occurred.

The spokesman said the department was “very conscious” the acquisition of a home or business resulted in a difficult time for land and business owners: “we make every effort to avoid acquiring privately owned land and businesses wherever possible”.

“Sydney Metro has been working with impacted property owners and tenants to reach a mutually agreed settlement since 2019,” the spokesman said.

“Sydney Metro’s offers are based on an independent valuation in accordance with the Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act.”