Arabic version: لجنة تحث على دعم أقوى لأعمال سيفيك

According to ABC News, an ACT Legislative Assembly committee has found businesses affected by light rail and car park construction in Canberra’s city centre have received “insufficient” financial relief.

The committee’s report, released Friday, contains 28 recommendations aimed at improving the ACT’s night-time economy. It said the ACT government should consider stronger temporary assistance for businesses disrupted by major infrastructure works, including means-tested rent relief.

Charcoal Restaurant owner Anna Gray said turnover at her Civic business had fallen by 50 per cent since parts of London Circuit closed in 2024. She said customers were avoiding the area because of limited parking and that financial assistance was needed for the business to survive.

The report also identified a “multi-agency maze” of regulation for venues. Fiction Nightclub operator Josh Dotta told the committee he routinely dealt with 10 separate government agencies. The committee recommended creating an ACT Night-Time Economy Commissioner to consult industry, develop progress measures and help streamline red tape.

It also recommended reviewing liquor licence fees, particularly for venues with capacities above 350 people. Evidence cited by the Australian Hotels Association showed a 500-capacity ACT venue closing at 3am pays just over $22,000 annually, compared with just under $7,900 in NSW. The ACT government said the systems could not be directly compared because of differing policy frameworks and regulatory schemes. The government has not yet responded to the report.