How Sydney’s light rail ‘has cost business owners millions and caused them suicidal thoughts’

The ongoing construction of Sydney’s light rail network has reportedly cost business owners millions of dollars in losses, as well as causing them depression and prompting suicidal thoughts.

More than 100 businesses around the construction zone have been affected by the disastrous project, with shop owners claiming the disruption is responsible for combined losses of at least $155million.

That includes dozens of businesses in the inner-city suburbs of Surry Hills, Haymarket and Randwick located both on and around the route, The Saturday Telegraph reports, many of which have been forced to close their doors.

The ongoing construction of Sydney’s light rail network has reportedly cost business owners millions of dollars in losses, as well as causing depression and prompting suicidal thoughts

More than 100 businesses around the construction zone have been affected by the disastrous project, with shop owners declaring combined losses of at least $155million allegedly occurring as a result of the disruption

More than 100 businesses around the construction zone have been affected by the disastrous project, with shop owners declaring combined losses of at least $155million allegedly occurring as a result of the disruption

Some 900 businesses in close proximity to the route have reported a loss of earnings, as revealed in data collected by Small Business Party founder Angela Vithoulkas.

A staggering 89 per cent of those business owners further declared that they were experiencing physical or mental health issues as a result.

Other business owners told the NSW parliamentary inquiry into light rail that they were experiencing depression and suicidal thoughts, with one telling of ‘severe migraines due to constant financial pressure’.

Another blames a near-marital breakdown on ‘the financial strain that has been the Sydney light rail project’. 

Some 900 businesses in close proximity to the route have reported a loss of earnings, with a staggering 89 per cent of those business owners claiming to be experiencing physical or mental health issues as a result

Some 900 businesses in close proximity to the route have reported a loss of earnings, with a staggering 89 per cent of those business owners claiming to be experiencing physical or mental health issues as a result

Pictured: once popular Surry Hills restaurant The Devonshire, which has been forced to close as a result of the ongoing light rail construction 

Pictured: once popular Surry Hills restaurant The Devonshire, which has been forced to close as a result of the ongoing light rail construction 

Ms Vithoulkas is now preparing to launch a class action against the government over the calamitous project.

Meanwhile, Transport NSW claims to have doled out $6.95 million in financial support to 69 affected businesses since last August, with Transport Minister Andrew Constance encouraging businesses to reach out for assistance.

Mr Constance also denied the suggestion that the light rail construction had forced a large number of businesses to shut up shop. 

‘We are not seeing a mass closure of businesses, but we are seeing business owners under enormous strain at both a personal and professional level,’ he said. 

‘This is why we have taken the action we have in relation to making rent relief available – particularly given that the project is late due to the contractor.’ 

Meanwhile, Transport NSW claims to have doled out $6.95 million in financial support to 69 affected businesses since last August, with Transport Minister Andrew Constance (pictured) encouraging businesses to reach out for assistance

Meanwhile, Transport NSW claims to have doled out $6.95 million in financial support to 69 affected businesses since last August, with Transport Minister Andrew Constance (pictured) encouraging businesses to reach out for assistance

The NSW Government has accused Spanish construction company Acciona of being behind schedule on the $2.1 billion project, which is running a full year late.

Stretching from Circular Quay to Randwick, the government has been told the line – construction of which began in late 2015 –  will not be operational until March 2020.

Mr Constance previously noted that the 12km network is over budget and should have already been finished.

Acciona is suing the NSW government for $1.2billion, claiming they misrepresented the risks about dealing with utilities.



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