Few small businesses could survive without a stream of passing customers for a month at a time, but that's what Stanwell Park traders are facing - twice - next year.
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Real estate agents, cafe owners, hang gliders, function operators, baristas, doctors, physiotherapists, a gallery owner and a dog trainer are banding together to try and force a rethink of Roads and Maritime Services' plan to close Lawrence Hargrave Drive for a month in February-March and another during May/June.
Work is needed on the road to reduce the risk of land slips, but the planned way of doing it would close the road for 1.3km from Otford Rd above Bald Hill to Chellow Dene Ave in Stanwell Park 24 hours a day for four weeks at a time.
Palms cafe owner Jo Draper said the lack of passing trade could be terminal.
"We all rely on tourists," she said. "There's no way we could survive with just locals."
Renzetti's pizzeria and restaurant owner Michael Renzetti said a total closure would cost his business, and employees.
"Up to Helensburgh, Otford, we'll deliver about 60 pizzas every night, so that will stop," he said.
"We'll put two drivers off a night for a Friday, Saturday, Sunday."
"I'll lose one or two staff members a day if this happens," Loaf Kitchen owner Annaleigh Sturmann said.
"I'll have to cut my hours down - they've got to go and get another job."
Ray White real estate agent Ian Pepper said working at night, or only closing one lane at a time, was the only reasonable way.
"You can't shut it completely," he said. "It just can't happen."
Sonya Keller of the Tumbling Waters retreat said February was among the busiest times of the year, and she needed more notice if the area were to be completely closed off.
"We're fully booked already for February-March," she said.
They may gain some hope from comments from RMS, which said a final decision had not been made.
"The online survey has been extended until 5pm Friday 30 August to allow the community to have their say and no final decision has been made on how the work will be carried out," the spokesman said.
"Transport for NSW is reviewing all options available to carry out this very important maintenance work and to minimise the impact to residents and motorists."
The issue will be discussed with RMS representatives at a meeting next Wednesday at 8pm at the Coalcliff Community Hall.