The delayed Parramatta light rail could cost the state government

The delayed Parramatta light rail could cost the state government even more.

Transcript

00:00 Since construction started we're probably down about 50% in annual turnover which is

00:07 quite a lot of money.

00:08 The first stage was pushed back by more than a year until next May. But with reduced foot

00:13 traffic in the area, Peter Zayden is unsure if his restaurant can stay open.

00:18 Day by day we'll just see how we go, whether we can survive there, I don't know.

00:24 A court ruling last week found the state government is liable for financial losses suffered by

00:29 some retailers in Sydney's CBD during delays to construction of the light rail there. Now

00:35 there are calls for similar compensation for Parramatta businesses.

00:39 What this case did was potentially set a precedent, meaning a case that is followed by future

00:45 judges in relation to future claims of a similar nature.

00:49 I think the litigation thing is something that we have to pursue.

00:54 Much of the track has now been laid and the state government says no further delays are

00:59 expected. The Premier says he's focused on keeping construction windows tight, but hasn't

01:04 committed to providing businesses with financial help.

01:07 We're always open to speaking to businesses about making sure that they can survive construction

01:11 projects.

01:12 Trams are not up and running, they should have been up and running a long time ago and

01:18 we're just playing the waiting game.

01:20 Businesses worried about going bust while waiting for a boom.

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