The plight of the Mok family and their small business in Logan City is heart breaking.

The Mok family business, Sunrise Convenience Store and Takeaway, has lost up to 75% in daily takings since Logan City Council closed Chambers Flat Rd on May 31 this year for a major upgrade. Owners Pourngmarie Mok and her husband, Svang, said they were facing bankruptcy if business did not improve during the road’s expected 12-week closure.

We have heard from some quarters in Council that giving this business compensation may set a ‘dangerous precedent’. My fear is that not giving them compensation will set a worse precedent. A dangerous precedent. That dangerous precedent is this; a local Government such as Logan can come into your street, close down total access to your business and show no care or concern about sending your small business to the wall.

A scenario such as this is Government gone mad!

Now, it is my belief that my colleagues will see the sense of providing compensation to this family. Failure to help them will send the wrong message. I will be leading the charge on obtaining justice for this family.

We don’t want businesses to be scared of setting up shop in our City. What message would it send the community if Logan Council closed roads where ever and whenever they liked without regard for the impact we have on businesses?

Local small businesses are what keeps our local economy ticking over and is the back-bone of employment.

It is my understanding that other Councils pay compensation to businesses that are affected by building activity such as road closures.

Whatever it is that Council does, it must be done quickly. This family will most likely be running out of options as a significant drop in their income would be unsustainable.