Leichhardt mechanic Fernando Macchia knew of previous plans to widen the road for buses,but not the latest plan to truncate his workshop by 3.9 metres. “It is going to be hard to do,” he said.

He acknowledged he might receive compensation but noted previous government projects had a poor track record when it came to small businesses like his.

“There are always complications. You will get back less than what you got,” he said. “We just spent big money to buy the place – we can’t move.”

InnerFit gym owner Scott Henry also did not know of the plans that could slice off a section of the premises he rents. “If we go back that far,that is cutting into our floor space. It will affect our class numbers. I was about to spend $40,000 on a rebrand,” he said.

A government spokesperson said on Thursday night that in light of recent decisions made in relation to housing supply and development around transport in Sydney,it was revisiting the Parramatta Road planning proposal. “The government will have more to say on Parramatta Road in due course,” he said.

Transport for NSW told the council that its ability to deliver a promised rapid transit route along Parramatta Road “will require road widening to meet current safety standards”.

However,in assessing Transport for NSW’s plans,council staff say the proposal would equate to setbacks up to 10 metres,and that the affected sites would be deemed as “land reserve for acquisition” and rezoned for infrastructure.

Inner West Council’s Labor Mayor Darcy Byrne said hundreds more acquisitions on Parramatta Road was the last thing needed after many properties were compulsorily acquired for WestConnex.

“We advocated for trackless trams on Parramatta Road previously,precisely because they are slimmer and avoid the need for road widening and property acquisitions,” he said.

Transport for NSW told the council that it was working on plans for “potential short,medium and long-term options to enhance public transport”.

The agency has not detailed the type of public transport it is looking to run on Parramatta Road,although the corridor has frequently been recommended for alight rail line or trackless trams.

In a statement,Transport for NSW said there were well-known challenges along Parramatta Road in relation to traffic flow,including narrow lanes in certain sections

“Transport has a long-term vision for the revitalisation of Parramatta Road and will need to balance the needs of all road users,while at the same time improve traffic flow,” it said. “Progress on this vision will take time and involve high levels of consultation.”