# Canberra businesses need relief from construction chaos

> A committee report finds Canberra hospitality businesses are struggling with construction disruptions and bureaucratic red tape, and calls for stronger government support.
- Title: Canberra businesses need relief from construction chaos · Abc
- Summary: A committee report finds Canberra hospitality businesses are struggling with construction disruptions and bureaucratic red tape, and calls for stronger…
- Keywords: canberra, hospitality, construction, light rail, civic, act government, business relief, night-time economy, news, politics, businesses, need
- Source: Abc — https://abc.net.au/news/2026-10-17/act-insufficient-relief-businesses-affected-civic-construction/107277900
- Published: 2026-10-16T21:09:44+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: canberra, hospitality, construction, light rail, civic, act government, business relief, night-time economy, news, politics
## Committee finds relief was insufficient
An ACT Legislative Assembly committee investigating Canberra's night-time economy found that businesses affected by light rail and car park construction received insufficient financial relief.
## Turnover down fifty percent since 2024
Anna Gray, owner of Charcoal Restaurant in the Melbourne building in Civic, said her turnover had reduced by fifty percent since parts of London Circuit closed in two thousand twenty-four.

> Customers don't want to come because there's no parking.
## Financial assistance is the only option
Gray says direct financial support is essential for her business to survive the construction works. The Australian Hotels Association general manager Chris Gatfield doubts the government will provide it.

> Financial assistance to let us survive, that would be the only option.
## Businesses navigate multi-agency maze
The committee found businesses were battling a multi-agency maze of red tape to stay open. Fiction Nightclub operator Josh Dotta told the committee he routinely interacted with ten separate government agencies.
## Twenty-eight recommendations to improve night-time economy
The committee made twenty-eight recommendations including establishing an ACT Night-Time Economy Commissioner and offering stronger temporary relief for affected businesses. The Australian Hotels Association welcomed the recommendations.
## ACT liquor licence fees significantly higher
Evidence from the Australian Hotels Association found liquor licence fees in the ACT were significantly higher than other jurisdictions.
## Commissioner would streamline government processes
The recommended night-time economy commissioner would consult the industry before major decisions, establish progress metrics, develop a streamlined red-tape system, and support culturally and linguistically diverse workers.
## Government yet to respond to report
The ACT government is yet to respond to the committee's report and its twenty-eight recommendations for supporting the night-time economy and affected businesses.
## Key takeaway

An ACT Legislative Assembly committee found businesses affected by Civic construction received insufficient relief and recommended stronger support, including a dedicated night-time economy commissioner.