Sydney footpath feud erupts: Mayor’s brutal ultimatum for restaurateur who told council henchmen to get stuffed

By CAITLIN POWELL and JONICA BRAY FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: 05:26 BST, 22 May 2025 | Updated: 06:28 BST, 22 May 2025

The ‘torrent of abuse’ council workers copped from an irate business owner when they interrupted dinner service at her restaurant has been slammed by Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore.

Two officers for the City of Sydney visited busy Potts Point eatery Lady Chu on Friday evening to tell owner Nahji Chu to move her potted palm trees immediately.

An explosive argument ensued, caught on video by a staff member, in which Ms Chu said she would rather ‘go to jail’ than follow with their orders.

Ms Moore took to social media on Wednesday to unleash on Ms Chu for her treatment of the staff.

‘We have repeatedly asked Lady Chu to remove some of the unapproved planters or the umbrellas to ensure there is enough space for pedestrians,’ she said.

‘It’s not a private courtyard, it’s a public footpath – people should not be forced onto the road, especially people in a wheelchair or with a pram.’

Ms Moore said council received a complaint on Friday and visited Lady Chu to advise which items were an ‘issue’ and ‘respectfully ask’ for them to be removed as soon as possible. 

‘Unfortunately they then received a torrent of abuse that was then published on social media.’

Lady Chu’s owner, Nahji Chu, lashed out at council officers who showed up during a busy Friday dinner service and ordered her to move her palm trees 

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore took to social media on Wednesday to unleash on Ms Chu for her treatment of the staff.

During the showdown, Ms Chu told one officer: ‘This is ‘f***ed up, this whole city is f***ed up.’

‘I’m not a f***ing naughty school kid, so don’t speak to me like that.

‘I’m paying f***ing taxes and I’m paying your wages, so f*** off. I’m trying to activate this f***ing dead city, so don’t shut it down.’

Ms Chu told Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday: ‘They wouldn’t leave, that’s why I went nuts.

‘Drop a bomb at 7pm then expect me to remain calm?

‘There is no fun in this city, you can’t do anything or you face a fine.

‘No one even leaves their house any more – they just work to make money and go and spend it overseas where they can get culture and have a good time.’

The argument was over the footpath area which has been used as an outdoor option for Ms Chu’s customers from Wednesday to Sunday until 9.30pm.

Ms Moore said the council had approved some outdoor expansions but claimed Ms Chu had also put out additional furniture and large planters 

Ms Chu (pictured) complained to Daily Mail Australia that ‘You can’t do anything or you face a fine’ in Sydney

Ms Moore said the council had approved two applications from Ms Chu to expand the outdoor space since March. 

This provided seating for roughly 70 patrons but also suitable room for pedestrians to walk through, Ms Moore said.

‘But we have received ongoing complaints about additional furniture, umbrellas and large planters obstructing the footpath.

‘Our planning staff have met with Lady Chu multiple times. Roslyn St is narrow, and it’s not possible to maintain Federal Discrimination Act accessibility standards as well as all its dining tables, planters and umbrellas.

‘I commend our officers for remaining calm and professional.

‘We all want to see our city buzzing. That’s why we offer this space and work with businesses to enjoy it. But we must also maintain sufficient space for others.’

In the video, Ms Chu pans to the walkway between her restaurant and tables asking:

‘What’s the f***ing problem here, you can get through, what seems to be the problem officer?

‘Beautiful trees? Beautiful umbrellas? Three people can get through?

‘Right now give me the f***ing fine and I will see you in court with my lawyer.’

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Sydney footpath feud erupts: Mayor’s brutal ultimatum for restaurateur who told council henchmen to get stuffed

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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk