NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian will be in Newcastle on Friday to officially open the NeWSpace building but Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp will be taking this opportunity to speak up for businesses affected by Light-Rail construction.
Several businesses along Hunter street have closed down already and the remaining businesses aren't receiving any support from the state government.
"The council has stepped in where the government should be. They are offering assistance to businesses affected by the light rail project that the government owns", Mr Crakanthorp said.
The current support from Council to affected businesses is a rate assistance plan where commercial property owners receive a rate rebate.
Tim Crakanthorp says he will be calling on the Premier to honour her commitment from her last visit, where she said;
"If there's demonstrated loss, we're always considering rental assistance. That's what we've done for other projects in other parts of NSW, so of course, we'll look at those issues".
To date, two businesses have sought assistance from the Premier and have had their requests denied.
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| Source; NewcastleHerald |
