Mezzalira’s Pasquale Trimboli, Canberra Business Chamber CEO Greg Harford, MLA Thomas Emerson, 98 Gym owner Harriet Walker, Senator David Pocock and Parlour and Hi Jinks owner Kevin Steadman discuss the impacts of the light rail project on their businesses. Photo: Ian Bushnell.
Mezzalira’s Pasquale Trimboli thought he had seen it all in his three decades in City West, but now he’s not sure if the iconic Italian restaurant will survive the next few years as the light rail project gathers pace.
Businesses along and near the Stage 2A route were prepared for disruption, but trade has fallen off a cliff since the start of construction in February and the ACT Government’s promises of support have come to naught.
They are now calling for help, stating that if they are to be around when light rail is up and running, they will need more than a few signs and media releases to advise the public on how to access city businesses.
Mr Trimboli said custom at Mezzalira had fallen by more than half, staff had been let go and that was happening throughout the area.
“Trade’s going to be like this for the next four years, and how do they really expect businesses to go forward like this for the next four years?” he said.
“It’s just unheard of. I’ve never seen this happen.”
Mr Trimboli said consultation had been a box-ticking exercise, saying businesses had been told the project would be staged, but now it was proceeding all at once.
He joined other business owners – accompanied by Senator David Pocock, MLA Thomas Emerson and Canberra Business Chamber CEO Greg Harford – in calling for a joint government package that includes rates relief, rent assistance and an amnesty period from the Tax Office on interest and penalties, and a supportive approach to payment plans where required.
However, Mr Trimboli said businesses deserved compensation and assistance with their wage bill to get through the construction period, or the Melbourne Building would become derelict.
Businesses also want a fresh communications campaign to help bring people back to Civic and the area made more accessible, including incentives such as free parking.
Mezzalira’s Pasquale Trimboli: businesses deserved compensation and help with their wages bill.
In response, Government and City Services Minister Tara Cheyne said a range of additional support measures based on feedback from businesses will be implemented as soon as possible.
Ms Cheyne said a package was being prepared that would likely include fee relief and improvements to parking and wayfinding.
Further support was also being considered.
Ms Cheyne rejected claims that consultation was a sham or that the construction program was not staged.
“As we move through, fencing will change, movements will change, different roads will reopen and different car parks will reopen as well, so it is a staged, construction phase,” she said.
Ms Cheyne urged Canberrans to support city businesses and examine the online maps to find out how to access the area.
At the other end of City West, New Acton is also feeling the pain.
Parlour and Hi Jinks owner Kevin Steadman said his trade was also down 50 to 60 per cent compared with this time last year under previous owners.
Mr Steadman was well aware of the potential disruption but thought it would be manageable.
“What I’m really seeing is Canberrans avoiding all of this.”
Mr Steadman said accessing the area was impossible and the government needed to do something about the roads.
Canberra Business Chamber CEO Greg Harford said the ACT Government did not understand the real impacts on business.
But it’s not just City West suffering, with works and traffic disruptions also impacting the other side of Northbourne Avenue at Baileys Corner and beyond.
98 Gym owner Harriet Walker said she might have to re-evaluate staying with her lease in City Walk if things did not improve.
Ms Walker said local business owners were being hit twice with the cost of living crisis – the cost of their own personal expenses, but also the cost of running a business.
She said businesses should not have to also wear the cost of improving the city’s infrastructure.
“We are a city that enjoys culture and having these wonderful small businesses that feed us and entertain us, and yet we’re expected to bear the brunt of these advances in our infrastructure,” she said.
“Advanced notice isn’t enough to support these businesses. We’ve got some really well-established businesses here that are a part of the DNA of Canberra, but we also have new businesses that are trying to progress the city as well.”
Mr Harford said the ACT Government didn’t understand the real impacts of this on business.
“I think there’s this assumption that businesses will carry on, that they’ve got enough money in the bank to be able to withstand the challenges, and there’s no real understanding of just how tight some of these businesses are operating at the best of times,” he said.
Mr Harford said that most retail and hospitality businesses operate on very narrow net margins, so when they lose 30, 40, or even 60 per cent of their revenue, they don’t have a lot of room to move.
“They can look to reduce staff, they can look to reduce hours, they can look to close up shop, but it’s not sustainable for them to continue operating in an environment where their revenues are really being constricted,” he said.
Mr Harford said these businesses need financial support, and there was more promotional work the government could do to bring people back to Civic, as well as a return to the office.
The ACT Government urged all businesses to contact Infrastructure Canberra if they required additional information.
