Small business owners along the Sydney CBD and South East light rail route continue to suffer poor customer numbers, as a result of the ongoing construction along the busy retail stretch.
The latest victim of the project’s disruption to speak out is restauranteur Sam Kumar, who spoke with The Australian this week.
Kumar owns the Bollywood Mirch Masala in Surry Hills, and says since construction hoardings went up in front of his restaurant on Devonshire Street, his daily gross earnings have dropped from $3000 per day to just $300.
“It’s just heartbreaking,” Kumar told The Australian, describing noise and dust “that’s so bad customers can’t sit here”.
“We have approached the government several times but they are not listening or offering financial compensation,” he added.
Transport for NSW has reportedly engaged Ernst & Young to assess the financial loss businesses have faced, in preparation for potential financial relief.
But Sydney councillor Angela Vithoulkas, who also owns a George Street café, says for many businesses, it will be too little, too late.
“Many businesses have suffered irreparable damage that no amount of rent relief will fix,” Vithoulkas reportedly told The Daily Telegraph.
“People have lost jobs, lost homes, they have increased debt to phenomenal levels from which they will probably never recover.”
Sydney Business Chamber also addressed the situation this week, saying there was “light at the end of the tunnel”.
“Disruption is occurring particularly along streets where multiple construction projects are taking place but at the same time, these projects are creating jobs and generating private investment,” the Business Chamber said.
“George Street … will emerge from behind the hoardings as a great pedestrian boulevard with the capacity to be a retail destination able to attract more of the world’s luxury labels.”