Some Frankston traders fear major delays to Young St works will push their businesses over the edge
TRADERS in Frankston’s Young St precinct fear they will be pushed over the edge as major delays rock a $13 million revamp of the thoroughfare.
South East
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TRADERS in Frankston’s Young St precinct fear they will be pushed over the edge as major delays rock a $13 million revamp of the thoroughfare.
Multiple traders told the Leader they had been hit by downturns of up to 40 per cent in trade since works started and were unsure how much longer they could continue.
Don Cristiano, who runs Don’s Custom Leatherworks in nearby Station St, said a drop of 70 per cent in business had left him reeling.
“It should be an around the clock job — get it done. I am not going to spend all my saving (on the business) to go backwards,” he said.
“It’s not compensation I am seeking. It’s my business to be as lucrative as it was. I just want my business to be good again.”
Another business operator, hairdresser Sam, said traders were struggling.
“They still have to pay the rent and feed their family — pay the electricity and all the expenses.”
The works were initially meant to be finished in March with the completion date later revised to May.
However, Leader understands officials have privately conceded that the works are still 12 months from completion.
In a statement, senior VicRoads official Brendan Pauwels said: “VicRoads and (contractor) Seymour Whyte have experienced extensive complications in relocating utility services, which impacted the progress of works.
“We’re working closely with Seymour Whyte to minimise impact on the scheduled completion date and budget including pursuing options to fast-track works with additional night and weekend works.
“Further details on the revised schedule will be provided in the coming weeks.”
VicRoads, which is overseeing the project, did not respond to queries on where the extra money would come from presumably needed due to the extended time the works were taking.
Frankston state Labor MP Paul Edbrooke said: “Every major project has unforeseen issues but what matters is the action that is taken to overcome them.
“The revised timetable is being adapted with ongoing nightworks to ensure the Young St redevelopment is finished as close to the expected time frame as possible.”
The Young St works include landscaping, wider footpaths and new bus bays, and are expected to transform the area between Wells and Beach streets.
It is part of a wider redevelopment of Frankston’s transit precinct, including the new train station.