Jetty Road traders are “trying to survive the perfect storm of construction, disruption, and dwindling trade” over the $40m Glenelg facelift. Lighthouse Insights chief Mark Raphael argues “everyone’s too busy protecting their own arses”.

I can’t help but feel frustrated, even a little disgruntled, by what’s been unfolding on Jetty Road over the past few months.

The ongoing upgrade works have somehow managed to make Beirut look organised, which is quite an urban-planning achievement. At this rate, I half-expect a delegation from Beirut in high vis to fly in and take notes.

What should have been a story of progress and renewal has instead become a lesson in how self-interest so often trumps decency.

It’s brought out the worst, when it could have been a moment for community and business leaders to guide with clarity, compassion, and honesty.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve spent time on the street talking with the traders, real people, not faceless national chains or shopfront names.

Many are trying to survive the perfect storm of construction, disruption, and dwindling trade. These are the people who open........

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