Pain - For Gain !

Sydney is Australia's biggest city and like all cities it has a focal point in the street scene which is the most desireable place to have a business.  In Sydney - that is George street.  The merchants of Sydney are now evaluating the cost as work is about to start on urban renewal which will see a $ 2.1 billion light rail network connect the city centre with it's surrounding suburbs.   For nine months this work will deliver absolute chaos - and for some business owners it puts their survival in question.

No doubt the major businesses will suffer inconvenience to trade.  Delivery of goods will create problems and work will probably require night reception of stock and the delivery companies may need to change the mode from semi trailers to light trucks to navigate in congested areas.  All this will add to costs - and the work scene will probably result in fewer shoppers during the construction period.

There is no doubt that this work will have a major effect on traffic movement through the CBD.  Much of George street will be closed for long periods and traffic will be diverted.  With it's main artery blocked, progress will be slower - and in particular - buses are expected to be reduced to a nine kph crawl as they disgorge and pickup passengers.  There is the expectation that safety barriers will restrict the pedestrian flow to narrow channels on the footpaths - and crossing George street from one side to the other will be restricted.

There are wails of protest from the extremities of this light rail network.  Randwick is incensed that it may lose a section of a popular park to enable these new trams to turn for their return journey. Everywhere a problem is likely to arise brings forth howls of protest - and a demand for relief, but the state government has made it clear that there will be no compensation paid for lost trade or inconvenience suffered.

What seems to be lost in the hub-bub of protest is the dismay that has long been directed at the Sydney city centre.  Every year gridlock gets closer and we have an unhealthy mix of public transport, car traffic and pedestrians trying to intermingle in a street scene originally designed for the horse and cart era.  Finally, a brave decision has been made to install a form of public transport that will rejuvenate the city centre and deliver a shopping precinct worthy of a major world city.

Undoubtedly there will be financial casualties. A trade drop-off will certainly see some businesses close their doors, but that is a normal hazard of the business scene.  The end result of these disruptions will see a new city centre attracting even more shoppers because the transport to get them into the city is now in place and the street scene has been made more welcoming.  The nay sayers will become silent when the barriers are removed and a newly vibrant city centre emerges.

Installing light rail was a courageous decision.   The George street scene was tired and worn - and heading towards eventual gridlock.  There were numerous appeals for renewal.   Plans were drawn up and costed, but the courage was absent to actually make a decision - and get work started.  Now the project has passed the point of no return - and it will happen.

The wise will plan their survival mode and figure out how they will cope with several lean months. There is an expectation that we will see an inner city revival that will be worth the wait -  for those that accept the pain - for long term gain !