Oxford St traders fears Bondi Junction cycleway will kill them off

They survived COVID-19 but a cluster of Oxford St traders fear a lengthy cycleway construction project might kill them off.

From left Santiago Cipagauta, Gunther Hofmeister, Nic Girard & Jenny Jo outside The Cook & Baker. Picture / Monique Harmer

Oxford St Business owners who have endured months of jackhammering as part of the Bondi Junction cycleway construction fear the recent removal of parking might kill off their customers for good.

Traders between the Nelson and Leswell St intersections of Oxford street have been impacted by the highly anticipated cycleway works since November.

While the construction itself is on the opposite side to most of the businesses, they say the noise and dust has kept away customers who have to line up outside their stores due to COVID social distancing requirements.

But now the works have moved onto their side of the road, with council closing off the street parking in front of their businesses on January 15.

From left Nic Girard owner, The Cook & Baker, Margaret Hennessy owner Dogue, PJ owner The Meat Store & Kane Puna owner The Medicine Wheel. Picture / Monique Harmer

Owners of the Cook and Baker cafe, Jodie Laming and Nic Girard, have joined with 14 other businesses including Dogue dog groomers owned by Margaret Hennessey and butcher PJ Ilic of The Meat Store to raise their concerns with Waverley Council.

They say the council’s compromise to offer free parking on Leswell and Nelson streets between Oxford and Grafton streets isn’t good enough.

“What are people going to do? Ms Laming said. “Order three cakes from me and try to carry them as they hike up the hill to Grafton St? Throw the dog over their shoulder and try to walk to Margaret’s because the dog is scared of the jackhammers?

“We’re all established businesses. We survived corona and now this.”

Ms Hennessy said on a recent Monday she had eight out of her 25 dogs no show and she blames the removal of the parking.

The ongoing works on Oxford St. Picture / Monique Harmer

“We are going to lose staff too. Dog grooming is incredibly competitive,” Ms Hennessy said.

“We can’t blame customers for not coming in when we’ve got a Westfield and Eastgate nearby with free parking and no construction,” Mr Ilic added.

Waverley Council said the removal of parking was temporary and would be gradually reinstated form the end of February.

Emily Gangur holding Ziggy, Margaret Hennessy Dogue owner & Sophie Clayton holding Hank pose for a photo outside Dogue Bondi. Picture / Monique Harmer

The council will soon install signs converting truck zones to loading zones to allow for business deliveries.

The council said it will also change a loading zone into additional street parking for customers.

The works on Oxford St are expected to continue until late April or early May.

The two-way cycleway will run through the Bondi Junction commercial centre linking Oxford St, Syd Einfeld Drive and Bondi Rd intersection to an existing cycleway at the north eastern corner of Centennial Park.

From left Santiago Cipagauta, Gunther Hofmeister, Nic Girard & Jenny Jo outside The Cook & Baker. Picture / Monique Harmer

Mayor of Waverley, Paula Masselos, thanked local businesses and owners for their patience throughout the project, particularly during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

“We recently completed our Streetscape works along the Spring St section of the cycleway and feedback we received from businesses and owners and that these works have helped enhance the retail experience in this busy area of Bondi Junction.

“The Bondi Junction CBD is looking greener and more inviting because of this upgrade, of course, it encourages the healthiest forms of transport, which is cycling and walking.”