The ACT Government’s Braddon streetscape upgrade is meant to make the precinct more accessible, safer, and more attractive, and is being delivered in stages to minimise disruption to businesses and the community.
But unannounced road closures and the removal of parking have made it impossible for some Braddon traders to open their shops this week, a local business group claims.
Parking was removed without notice; delivery vehicles could not access traders; rubbish and recycling trucks missed pickups; and customers and clients could not access hospitality and retail venues, Kel Watt, spokesperson for Braddon’s United Retailers and Traders (BURT), said. A child of eight to 10 years was also allegedly seen in the enclosed construction site.
“For the second day running, shops have run at a loss, shut their doors, and told staff to head home without pay,” Mr Watt said.
“Traders at the northern end of Lonsdale Street have had their operations effectively shut down by ‘upgrade’ works.
“The last four years have been a horror for small business owners. This morning’s current situation literally has people in tears and re-evaluating their ability to maintain a business.”
Traders and staff contacted ACT ministers this morning, Mr Watt said, urgently calling for help to save their small businesses and jobs.
“While there are complex issues involved with these concerns, it is hoped some immediate action can take place, such as making appropriate alterations to traffic management and requesting that consultation with impacted local businesses occurs as promised,” Mr Watt said.
They will also ask for a compensation package, “following the financial losses imposed on them by government actions”.
“There is no certainty in the business environment,” Mr Watt said. “Perhaps the unexpected removal of a Minister’s taxpayer funded salary for a day or two would give them a small jolt and understanding of what business owners and staff have endured for an all-too long period.”
Mr Watt remarked that the government had failed to deliver ‘upgrade’ works as promised: time frames of “early 2021”, “early 2022”, “5 December” were well past, AND to a much inferior standard than plans assured, he claimed.
“It is no wonder local small businesses are closing at a rate in the ACT higher than anywhere else in Australia,” Mr Watt said.
ACT Government response
The City Renewal Authority would meet local businesses to discuss potential solutions to their concerns.
“This is part of our ongoing commitment to working closely with local businesses to both minimise short-term disruption and deliver long-term benefits to the Braddon area,” a spokesperson said.
To minimise disruption, the government took a “targeted and staged approach” to construction, provided regular emails and letterbox drops, and stopped work over the busy Christmas trading period, the spokesperson said.
Over the past six months, this “highly successful” approach resulted in a mid-block pedestrian crossing, new median, wider footpaths, new street furniture, and landscaping being completed ahead of schedule.
“This has made it safer and easier for people to move around Lonsdale Street, and is already providing benefits to local traders,” the spokesperson said.
Local business owners were notified between 11 and 15 December via email and letterbox drop that a second mid-block pedestrian crossing would be constructed north of the rainbow roundabout, construction beginning last week, and that this stage of works would feature landscaping, lighting, and street furniture, the spokesperson said. This works stage would be completed in June, and the entire Braddon streetscape upgrades project by the end of the year.
“Together with local construction company Guideline ACT [the local builder managing construction for the project, responsible for notifying impacted businesses as works progress], we are committed to delivering this work as quickly and efficiently as possible to minimise disruption. to residents, visitors, and businesses,” the spokesperson said.
