Page 2059 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 6 June 2018
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construction as “possible” and a consequence of “minor” – businesses are in fact suffering;
(c) a central justification for the Light Rail project, according to the Government’s own business case was, to grow and diversify the economy, when in fact this project and its prolonged construction has hurt many local business owners and had flow on effects to their employees, suppliers and customers; and
(d) there has been a similar independent study conducted in NSW which has resulted in compensation being offered to businesses in the form of rent relief; and
(2) calls on the:
(a) Government to acknowledge that this project has caused major disruptions, reduced the custom of many local businesses and this in turn has impacted on business owners, employees, customers and the broader community;
(b) Assembly to express its concern at the lack of adequate support provided to businesses, particularly in the Gungahlin and Mitchell section of the Light Rail corridor;
(c) Government to provide financial compensation by engaging external consultants to assess the impact on local business and provide options for compensation and recourse; and
(d) Government to provide a report on the assessed impact of Stage 1 Light Rail construction to businesses with options for financial remedies to the Assembly by 31 July 2018.
I stand before the Assembly today both as a local member for Yerrabi and as a former small business owner to put forward a motion I feel very strongly about. This motion is a genuine attempt from the Canberra Liberals to get this government to acknowledge the consequences of their actions. It is about the very real and harmful impact that light rail construction and associated activities have had on businesses.
Let me be clear: this motion is not grandstanding. It is about recognising the contribution that local businesses make to our community and to our economy. It is about the mums and dads who have put everything on the line to set up a small business. It is about the young entrepreneurs who have begged, borrowed and saved to try and achieve their dream of opening up a shop, restaurant or cafe. It is about the established, experienced business owners who, despite their best efforts, are hurting. And it is about the families and individuals that work from these small businesses and depend on regular shifts or extra casual hours to make ends meet.
This government has been so determined, so blinkered in its approach to push ahead with constructing light rail that it has failed the local business community big time. This government has failed to directly consult and engage with businesses to understand their needs. This government has failed to provide meaningful support to businesses in the lead-up to and during construction activity. This government has failed when it comes to providing useful information to help business owners plan for a downturn in trade. Most importantly, this government has failed to acknowledge
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