Council Receives Wrath Of Restaurant Owner Over Anonymous Complaints

A Sydney restaurant owner has uploaded a expletive-laden video to her business’ Instagram after council rangers arrived to address a complaint during a weekend rush hour.

Nahji Chu, who owns successful Vietnamese restaurant Lady Chu in Potts Point, said that the pair arrived at 7pm on a busy Saturday and insisted they speak to her while she was working.

The council rangers claimed they had received anonymous complaints about large pot plants blocking the Roslyn Street footpath, possibly impeding pedestrians.

“When he said it was the plants, I completely lost it,” Chu told CityHub. “So I grabbed my phone and I started filming.”

In the video, Chu can be heard telling the rangers, “I’m trying to activate a dead city and you’re trying to fucking shut it down.”

“I’m not a fucking naughty school kid so don’t speak to me like that.”

Chu threatens to take council to court

A spokesperson for the City of Sydney said they had been receiving ongoing complaints about additional furniture, umbrellas and planters beyond the business’ approved outdoor trading area, obstructing the footpath, and causing difficulties for pedestrians.

“The City of Sydney has had several meetings with the business owner to explain the issues and encourage it to remain in its already extensive free outdoor dining area,” they said. “These proactive attempts to resolve the issue took place outside restaurant rush periods.”

Chu told CityHub that she had seen wheelchair users and couples holding hands navigate the footpath without issue.

She claims the anonymous complaints have come from locals who dislike her.

“They’ve got a problem with a successful business, and they’ve got a problem with a Vietnamese refugee doing really well in this country, as far as I can see,” Chu said.

Chu told the rangers that she would prefer to be issued with a fine than move the plants, as she intends to dispute the matter in court.

The City of Sydney spokesperson said: “We will continue to work with this business to ensure it can enjoy the free use of city footpaths while understanding its obligation to maintain sufficient space for others, including those pushing prams or for wheelchairs.”