Padlock on Mooseheads construction fencing. Photo: Mooseheads, Instagram.
Light-rail construction is hitting Civic businesses hard at the moment, but a long-time resident of the Sydney Building has come up with a way to “share the love”.
Mooseheads nightclub is encouraging customers to write messages of “support, dedication and romance” on a padlock before clipping it to the construction fences outside their venue.
They’re calling it the “Moose’s Love Lock Wall”, and “a playful new initiative that invites our patrons to help us turn this construction nightmare into something a little more heart-warming”.
“Starting this week, every purchase of a Moose Juice comes with a complimentary padlock,” a statement from the venue reads.
“Like many in the city, we’ve been hit hard by the ongoing light rail construction, which has created major access issues, decimated foot traffic, and thrown up a wall – quite literally – of temporary fencing around us.
“Hopefully, we can turn all this chaos into a Wall of Love!”
People are also encouraged to bring their own padlock because, after all, “the more, the merrier”.
“We saw many people snapping love locks on the temporary fence a while back,” employee Chloe said in a video.
“They met at Moose, like many do, and we thought it would be a cool idea to try to turn this into something more fun.
“The only way we can get through this is by sharing the love. Bring some attention to the area. We sure need it right about now.”
So far, well-known names on the fence’s padlocks include ACT Senator David Pocock and his wife.
ACT Senator David Pocock places a padlock on the Mooseheads fence. Photo: Mooseheads, Instagram.
Canberra Metro Construction is the company contracted by the ACT Government to construct Light Rail Stage 2A. It is responsible for the temporary fencing currently gracing much of London Circuit in Civic.
An ACT Government spokesperson told Region there are “no safety concerns” about the padlocks “at present”.
“If there are any safety concerns raised in the future, we will contact Mooseheads to discuss other alternatives, prior to any action taken, to allow this initiative to continue,” the spokesperson said.
“The ACT Government thanks the community for its continued support of the businesses in the Sydney and Melbourne buildings during the construction of the next stage of the light rail.”
Many businesses along or near the route have seen their customer base fall by more than half since construction began in February, with some having to lay off staff.
The government has responded by providing free evening parking from Wednesday to Sunday in certain car parks, waiving the fees for outdoor dining permits and lowering the fees for liquor licences from 1 July.
It has also promised to fund an advertising campaign to bring more people into the city.
Mooseheads isn’t the only business doing it tough in Civic at the moment. Photo: Mooseheads, Instagram.
However, businesses, backed by the Property Council and some MLAs, have argued that this is a drop in the ocean and claim the government should cut rates.
“We are seeing businesses struggling to survive, staff hours being cut, and an atmosphere that feels more like a construction zone than the vibrant heart of our city,” Property Council ACT executive director Ashlee Berry told Region earlier this month.
“Without more meaningful action, many won’t make it through to see the long-term benefits of light rail.”
Original Article published by James Coleman on Region Canberra.
