Anthony Lichaa has operated a men’s clothing store on Church Street in the heart of Parramatta’s CBD for 13 years, but sales have dropped significantly since construction of the new multi-billion-dollar light rail began more than three years ago. “Since construction started, we’re probably down about 50 per cent in annual turnover, which is quite a lot of money when you pay full rent,” he said. “It’s been tough.” Anthony Lichaa says some businesses have been forced to close. Housnia Shams A recent court ruling has renewed calls for financial compensation for Parramatta businesses impacted by repeated delays to the project’s completion. The first stage of the project, which will connect Westmead to Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD, was initially slated to be finished in March this year. But since then, the date has been pushed back until May 2024. Mr Lichaa said there was reduced parking and accessibility in the area due to construction works and the project’s delays meant foot traffic remained low. Despite this, he said the state government had failed to offer small businesses any financial assistance. “There’s been a number of businesses go under simply because they couldn’t pay the rent,” he said. “If the government would’ve just stepped in and said, ‘While construction is going on, we’ll pay your rent to help you keep going’, a lot of businesses would have survived.” Last week, the NSW Supreme Court found the state government liable for financial losses suffered by some businesses along the Sydney CBD light rail route during delays to its construction. NSW government liable after retailers sue in light rail class action A group of 300 sued Transport for NSW, alleging they suffered “unreasonable interference” from the light rail construction. A group of about 300 retailers and residents filed a class action against Transport for NSW, alleging they experienced “unreasonable interference” from the works. Justice Richard Cavanagh found Transport for NSW was liable as it was “well aware of the risks of substantial delay” and described them as “not only foreseeable but predictable”. Richard Mitry, a partner at law firm Mitry Lawyers, who represented the class action group members said the case sets a “precedent” for any similar claims that may be brought forward in future, including by Parramatta businesses. “It’s certainly a positive development for people who are affected in Parramatta,” he said. “What this case did was potentially set a precedent meaning a case that is followed by future judges in relation to future claims of a similar nature. “If a claim was to be brought in Parramatta, it would still need to be assessed on its own merits.” Richard Mitry said the outcome of the class action could set a precedent for those impacted in Parramatta. Fletcher Yeung Church Street restaurant owner Peter Zaidan said the ruling provided hope for Parramatta business owners if they choose to bring a class action forward in future. “It’s something that we have to pursue because [the government] is certainly not going to put their hand up and take responsibility,” he said. Mr Zaidan opened his restaurant in the dining precinct over a year ago, with hopes the new light rail would be completed on time and draw in more customers. “That was a big part of coming here ¦ I was told the project would be ready,” he said. But the project delays have left Mr Zaidan questioning whether his business will be able to keep its doors open by the time the light rail begins operations. “There’s not one [business] here that is operating anywhere near the capacity they were prior,” he said. “We won’t be around until May next year if it continues on this path.” Peter Zaidan fears his restaurant won’t be around next year if the delays continue.   Housnia Shams David Borger, executive director of advocacy group Business Western Sydney, said while the new light rail will “transform the city”, the project’s repeated delays were hurting businesses. “It certainly has had impacts on small retailers ¦ their family investments have gone completely into these businesses,” he said. “For them to be impacted in the way some of them have been I feel that does need compensation.” The state government said no further delays were expected to the first stage of the Parramatta light rail. “Delays to the project were caused by flooding, the pandemic and the delayed handover of the rail site at Camellia to the contractor,” a spokesperson for NSW Transport Minister Jo Haylen said. The second stage of the Parramatta Light Rail will connect the Parramatta CBD to Ermington, Melrose Park, Wentworth Point and Sydney Olympic Park. Ms Haylen said Labor had committed to beginning construction on stage two in its first term of government.