Roadworks causing problems for Jandakot businesses

By Erin Caizley A group of small businesses in Jandakot which rely heavily on passing trade say they are losing income because of roadworks along Berrigan Drive. The roadworks, which involve the widening of Berrigan Drive, Jandakot Road and Dean Road as well as the current roundabout being converted into traffic lights, are not due to be finished until April next year, two months behind schedule. King Ho, manager of the Berrigan Drive Pharmacy which has only been open 10 months, said the closure of the carpark entrance in front of his store has lost him customers. “It’s killed us,” Mr Ho said. “We started to make headway in August, then the roadworks started in September and we’ve gone downhill.” There are 13 businesses in the complex but not all of them depend on passing trade for their livelihood. Some provide medical services to clients who attend by appointment. Winny, owner of Winny’s Café, said she has lost 50-percent of her revenue. “I have bills to pay,” Winny said. Tony Romano, president of the Melville Cockburn Chamber of Commerce, said he feels for the small businesses but it will work in their favour in the long run. “The magnitude of the works is horrendous and I’m not surprised people aren’t stopping there,” Mr Romano said. “It’s in the interest of the council and everybody to get the works done quickly.” Charles Sullivan, director of Engineering and Works for the City of Cockburn, said there is still one working entrance to the carpark. “The two entrances from Berrigan Drive have been closed due the roadworks but the entrance at Dean Road remains open,” Mr Sullivan said. “Two entrances from Berrigan Drive will be open in two weeks.” Mr Ho said he was told by the Cockburn Council that if he was to erect signage to alert drivers to the only open entrance, he would be fined $500. “The council have put up signs but they are so small,” Mr Ho said. Mr Ho said he approached the council for compensation for lost revenue but was given the run around. “I asked the Cockburn Council about compensation and they told me to speak to Tracc Civil [the contractor], so I spoke to them and they told me to speak to the council.”