The High Court has ruled that traders along Sydney’s CBD light rail corridor can pursue compensation claims for disruption caused by the project. Two lead businesses in the class action, a leather goods store and a restaurant, were initially awarded $4 million, but that decision was overturned on appeal.
The appeal court had previously found that the law authorizing the development shielded the project from liability, and that delays could not have been foreseen.
The light rail project began in 2016 and was completed in 2020, a year behind schedule. Its final cost reached $2.96 billion, exceeding the original estimate by $1.3 billion.
Earlier court findings noted that once delays set in, the disruption became unreasonable. Traders endured constant dust, noise from jackhammers, trucks and diggers, and construction hoardings that blocked access to their businesses.
The High Court’s decision now clears the way for affected traders to seek compensation, potentially opening the door to significant claims tied to the prolonged disruption.
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