Vibrant square a five-year construction zone

Pyrmont restauranteur Talentino Vieira has spent more than a decade renovating his business, Bartino. He has almost finished installing the beer taps for the new bar, where Friday night crowds already gather for happy hour, and he plans for his four musical children to perform at the venue.
But the future of Mr Vieira’s heritage building, and his livelihood, hangs in uncertainty, as it could be demolished as part of the Sydney Metro’s plans to build a new train station in Pyrmont.
Union Square, a lively public thoroughfare skirted by shops and eateries, could be closed off for up to five years as a construction site for the railway project.
Bartino, which sits on the corner of Union Street and Pyrmont Road, has been signalled as the site for the installation of shafts providing construction access to the underground caverns.
“For 12 yrs I’ve been fixing this place with my own hands. Every bit that you see here I’ve fixed.
“I put all my eggs here and now…I’m so disappointed.
“I’m out of the picture,” said Mr Vieira.
But a Sydney Metro spokesperson said the plans were not final.
“The Preliminary Environmental Assessment identifies that the property at 9 Union Street, Pyrmont, may end up being in a construction worksite area.
“However, the CBD Metro project is still at an application stage and Sydney Metro is carrying out further detailed design development on station locations, station entrances and construction sites, including in the Pyrmont area.
Sydney Metro is currently undergoing a consultation process with businesses in affected areas, however business leaders say they are concerned about the lack of information that is being provided.
“They didn’t tell us anything about what was going to happen in the area that there’s going to be works done,” said Stephen Taylor, President of the City Partnership Inc.
With the prospect of Union Square being fenced off for construction for four years, most are predicting a major decline in business. “My concern is that as a local business [owner], once all these fences are put up around here, where are my clients going to walk? This is my livelihood. Not enough information’s been given about this,” said Sue Kaires, owner of Cabelo Culture, a hair salon on Union Street.
The Sydney Metro spokesperson said the authority would compensate Mr Vieira if his property was compulsorily acquired.
Residents are also anxious. Roberta Mears lives in Union Street in a sandstone heritage building. She says that when the casino was under construction nearby, vibrations to the foundations of her house, which she described as “fragile”, caused one of her walls to crack. The construction zone in Union Square will be staged right outside her door.
The square is a popular meeting place for locals, and a venue for community events. ANZAC Day ceremonies are held in Union Square every year, but the war memorial will likely be moved when construction starts next year.
“Union Square is a real focal point on the weekends…and at lunch time during the week, for a lot of local people to congregate.
“Why don’t these stupid planners take into consideration some beauty spot in a pretty ugly bloody area,” said Ms Mears.
Sydney Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, recently spoke out in favour of the Metro project, saying that it would enhance the City’s ability to achieve goals outlined in its Sustainable Sydney 2030 vision, and help reclaim land on George Street, opposite Town Hall.
“With careful planning, the CBD Metro could transform central Sydney in ways outlined in the 2030 vision, through greater use of public transport, cycling and walking in central Sydney,” Moore said in a newsletter.
“With the State Government proposing a new metro station near Town Hall, the City’s long-term vision for a new public square opposite Town Hall could proceed sooner than expected, with George Street reclaimed as a pedestrian, cyclists and light rail boulevard.”
Moore also said she would continue to represent the interests of inner city communities by pushing for public consultation, and limited disruption to homes and businesses.