The ACT government has been accused of failing to genuinely consult with small businesses impacted by construction of the Canberra light rail. Today federal politicians stepped in calling for a lifeline for businesses who say they'll be forced to shut their doors without rate relief or compensation.
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00:00Italian restaurant Mezzolira has been thriving in Canberra for 30 years.
00:07But at lunchtime today, just two diners.
00:10We all are here to support the tram and the growth of the city.
00:14But has the government considered what the cost is?
00:18Business has been down by 50% since this construction site for light rail stage 2a was established on its doorstep.
00:26How do they really expect businesses to go forward like this for the next four years?
00:31It's just unheard of. I've never seen this happen.
00:34Today Federal and ACT independents called for rate or rent relief for affected businesses.
00:40I'm standing with small businesses calling on the Federal and Territory Government to do more to support them while light rail is being built through Civic.
00:51We were out there in January calling for help from the government so I'm glad Pocock's finally decided to hop on board.
00:57Businesses say the ACT Government's promised consultation has not been genuine.
01:03At this stage any sort of acknowledgement of the cost would be really well appreciated.
01:08At this point a flyer with some advance notice is just not going to cut it.
01:12They've ticked the box and they'll see you later.
01:15I do know that Infrastructure Canberra has now hosted a number of forums with businesses.
01:21They didn't explain why the consultation wasn't as good as it should be.
01:25Some of the businesses on this side were only given two weeks notice.
01:28More support has been promised but it's not clear whether that's financial in nature or when it'll come.
01:35Soon. Soon is probably the best answer that I can give.
01:40We know last year's Federal Budget contained $50 million to plan the next stage of light rail matched with $50 million from the ACT Government.
01:49Surely a little bit of that planning money can be used to ensure we actually have a night time economy on the end of this project.
01:55For now businesses are running on empty.
01:58For now businesses are running on empty.
02:02Call me back to you.
02:03I Thank you guys.
02:05For now.
02:06For now business is no longer booking.
02:07This isidadeq said you use the Facebook page
02:11payoff to your email on Amazon.
02:12This is~?
02:15You don't know I should know you rate your email out of your email.
02:17But this is just a way to make sure we of a may that process that BOL
02:23is going to break down my Facebook page.