Stanley Street upgrade downgraded

by Michael Gormly

The much-publicised Council plan to upgrade Stanley Street in East Sydney has been shelved in the face of opposition from businesses.

Known as Sydney’s first ‘Little Italy’, the two blocks between Yurong and Crown Streets is the village hub of East Sydney and a popular dining and coffee destination for people outside the area. It’s home to Bill & Toni’s café and restaurant, The Arch, and Bar Reggio’s is just around the corner.

Work on the upgrade was due to begin about now after extensive research, planning, publicity and consultation but traders, fearing the loss of business that always occurs during street-wide upgrades, seem to have pressed the right button in Council.

‘Most businesses couldn’t survive the 11 months of construction work,’ said Domenic Zucano, owner of Bill & Toni’s, ‘and there’s no compensation if your business drops by 50 percent ‘ and that’s on top of the recession we are facing.’

He said parking spots would be lost because trees would be planted between car spots rather than on the footpath, and he opposed the introduction of parking meters.

Proposed changes to the 389 bus route that runs along the street would have created some new parking spots but only by forcing buses to stop in the traffic lane, blocking traffic, instead of pulling over to the kerbside.

An alternative plan had eastbound buses removed from Stanley Street altogether. Instead they would run further up William Street and turn right into Crown Street, introducing a new right-hand turn cycle at the lights and requiring alterations to the kerb. Business owners say the following left-hand turn from Crown to Stanley Street east would also be problematic. To reduce consequent traffic congestion, Crown Street heading out of East Sydney would become no-right-turn into William Street.

Local resident group ESNA strongly supported a pedestrian-friendly piazza-style concept with one-way traffic, metered angle parking, changes to the bus route and the removal of the bus stop. The group also lobbied for the closure of several road intersections: Palmer Street at Stanley; Chapel Street; Riley Street at Stanley; and of Yurong Lane.

Mr Zucano likes buses running through the restaurant strip, and even cars vainly looking for parking, because of the exposure.

‘It’s good advertising,’ he said. ‘People see all the action and it brings in customers.’

A Council survey showed 41 per cent of patrons travelled to Stanley Street by car, with 43 per cent walking and 18 per cent by public transport.

The City of Sydney would not reveal how much had been spent on the project to date or how discussions about changing the bus route were progressing with the RTA and STA.

A spokesperson said: ‘City staff are currently reviewing whether the timing of the project should be revised to minimise impacts on business during the current economic downturn. The revised option would defer major construction work while proceeding with works that have limited impact, such as localised footpath works and a cycleway.

‘A staff recommendation will be considered by Council early this year.’