Parramatta Light Rail - Stage 1

Submission uploaded

Please find my submission attached,

please see attached

22nd October 2017

To: Department of Planning and Environment
Re: Parramatta Light Rail Proposal Application Number: SSI 17-8285

This submission is made collectively by the restaurants and cafes on Church Street, Parramatta.

Our precinct, Eat Street, has for decades been a multicultural hub of cuisine offerings, and a core part of Parramatta's cultural identity. The restaurants and cafes have made this a premier dining destination for residents and visitors to Parramatta, and we provide employment to hundreds of our staff many of whom are residents of Parramatta themselves.

The light rail route is proposed to run directly through our street, and our hospitality businesses would be particularly sensitive to disruption from the construction works proposed. Seeing the effects on businesses of light rail construction happening in other parts of Sydney is worrying that these proposed construction works will lead to a significant decrease of patrons to our area, threatening the survival of the restaurants and cafes who have been such a big part of Parramatta's identity.

We wouldn't want to stand in the way of progress, and understand that large infrastructure projects such as this would likely benefit Parramatta in the long run. However there is a high level of uncertainty about the project as to how it would affect our businesses, and high levels of anxiety amongst us and our staff due to lack of some information and commitment of support we require to be able to make decisions and operate our businesses. It is difficult to plan further investment in our businesses, invest in hiring and training of new staff, promise of job security to current staff, in the face of uncertainty.

Below is a list of common concerns, questions, and commitments requested which we believe would make the more difficult stages of this project easier for our businesses.

1) Give a firm indication of how long the construction works on our street will be expected to take rather than leaving it up to the winner of the tender for the works to decide how they will proceed. Commit to a timeframe, include that timeframe for Eat Street as a condition when putting out the tender for the works, and impose a penalty for any delays significant enough to be a strong incentive to complete the works on schedule. Any funds raised from a penalty can be used to support struggling businesses.

2) Commit to planning and completing the works on Eat Street separately to the rest of the Parramatta CBA works, allocating additional resources where possible to minimise the time our area will be affected due to our business sensitivity to the disruption. If possible, complete the works within our street in blocks which are shifted along the street as works are completed, rather than closing off and hoarding up the entire street.

3) Outline a plan to provide financial support to businesses struggling to cover overhead expenses during the toughest periods of construction, to help us survive, and prevent staff lay-offs. Knowing how much restaurant turnover has dropped in other areas where light rail construction has taken place, many of the us are worried that if we experience a similar drop we won't be able to cover our expenses to keep our doors open and continue operating.

4) While works are being completed, ensure that there are regular intervals where people can cross the street from one side to the other.

5) Outline a plan for al-fresco dining along the street once the works have been completed. It is important to retain the lively atmosphere which we currently have on Eat Street.

6) Guarantee that once the works are completed, businesses will retain the same size area of al-fresco dining. Alternatively, outline if and how businesses who will have a reduced outdoor dining area can be compensated for the reduction. The al fresco dining areas and those seats have been a large factor for us having made our investments in our restaurants, and loss of prime seating would have a large impact on our businesses.

7) What will be happening with our al fresco shades. We have paid for these structures, will they be reused once works have been completed? If not, what will go in their place, and who would be funding the costs of new structures?

8) During the construction period, offer short term parking of under 2-3 hours for free in the council owned Erby Street Car Park, and street parking within walking distance to our area, to encourage more visitors.

9) Our busiest days are Friday to Sunday, and busiest times each day is evenings for dinner. Commit to planning the timing of any works to minimise overlap with our busiest times.

10) Commit to organising more regular promotional events during the construction periods to attract people to our area. The Good Food Month Festival, Night Lanes, Winterlight Festival, have in the past boosted our trade and events such as this would help in the more difficult times during construction. However, focus on promoting our restaurants rather than bringing in many competing food offerings.

11) Don't charge council rates during the construction period.

12) Use decorative hoarding and barriers (no wire fencing) for the construction period to make the area look less like a construction zone and more appealing.

13) Consult with representatives from the businesses in our area for feedback on decisions about organising events in the area, and designs of hoarding/barriers and other ways to make our area look appealing during construction.

14) If possible, don't start construction on our street until Parramatta stadium has been built and is operating, as this will attract patrons to Parramatta.



Sincerely, Representatives from:

Alpha Sushi, Bondi Pizza, Chocolateria San Churro, Coco Cubano, Criniti's, Elevation Café, El-Phoenician, Gelato Messina, Grill'd, Kouzina Greco, Liana's, Little Greece Parramatta, Mad Mex, Mama and Pappa's, Nang Vietnamese Cuisine, Ogalo, Oliver Brown, Pak Hailam, Pizza Design Co, Ray & Lou's, Restaurant 317, Saute Thai, Skinny's Grill, Soul Burger, Thai in a Box, Volcano's Steakhouse, Yamalaysia

Please see attached

My submission is contained with file attachment 1, Parramatta light rail EIS submission - Peter Mendes-Shineberg.pdf.

Please see file attachment 1, "Parramatta light rail EIS submission - Peter Mendes-Shineberg.pdf"

See attached PDF

Please see attached letter submission.

This submission is made on behalf of The Billbergia Group.

Dear Parramatta Light Rail

The Hellenic Orthodox Parish & Community of Parramatta & Districts welcomes the opportunity to make a submission on the Parramatta Light Rail Environmental Impact Statement.

Our Parish Community recently relocated to 163 - 165 George St and intends to re-build our Church on the eastern corner of our site, being the corner of George & Purchase Street.

This positioning has religious significance and detailed architectural plans have now been approved by His Grace Bishop Seraphim. We are currently liaising with Council following our most recent pre-DA meeting.

Our Parish Community supports the Light Rail, however as the detailed planning of the project is finalised we need to ensure that the services and amenity of our Parish Community is not adversely impacted.

Our detailed representations are outlined in the Appendix A and seek to represent issues that may impact our Parish & Community during the construction and operational phase of the Parramatta Light Rail. We also seek to propose solutions to issues documented in the EIS.

We would be happy to meet with yourself and representatives from the Parramatta Light Rail project to resolve these issues.

Regards

Kos

see attached submission

Submission uploaded.

I am submitting a proposal to extend the light rail line to Granville, with reasons, in a separate attachment

Please see attached Sydney Water submission for the Parramatta Light Rail EIS.

Please see Attached PDF.

Please see the attached submission in relation to 32 Tramway Avenue, Parramatta.

Please refer to the letter attached

See PDF document

Submission in uploaded file.