Sydney footpath feud erupts: Mayor's brutal ultimatum for restaurateur who told council 'henchmen' to get stuffed

Daily Mail​

22-05-2025

A Lord Mayor has lashed out at the 'torrent of abuse' council workers received from a business owner when they interrupted dinner service.
Two officers for the City of Sydney visited busy Potts Point eatery Lady Chu on Friday evening to tell the owner to move her potted palm trees immediately.
An explosive argument ensued, caught on video by a staff member, in which restaurateur Nahji Chu said she would rather 'go to jail' than follow with their orders.
Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore took to social media on Wednesday to unleash on Ms Chu for her treatment of the staff.
'We have repeatedly asked Lady Chu to remove some of the unapproved planters or the umbrellas to ensure there is enough space for pedestrians,' she said.
'It's not a private courtyard, it's a public footpath – people should not be forced onto the road, especially people in a wheelchair or with a pram.'
Ms Moore said council received a complaint on Friday and visited Lady Chu to advise which items were an 'issue' and 'respectfully ask' for them to be removed as soon as possible.
'Unfortunately they then received a torrent of abuse that was then published on social media.'
During the showdown, Ms Chu told one officer: 'This is 'f***ed up, this whole city is f***ed up.'
'I'm not a f***ing naughty school kid, so don't speak to me like that.
'I'm paying f***ing taxes and I'm paying your wages, so f*** off. I'm trying to activate this f***ing dead city, so don't shut it down.'
She told Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday: 'They wouldn't leave, that's why I went nuts.
'Drop a bomb at 7pm then expect me to remain calm?
'There is no fun in this city, you can't do anything or you face a fine.
'No one even leaves their house any more - they just work to make money and go and spend it overseas where they can get culture and have a good time.'
The upset was over the footpath area which has been used as an outdoor option for Ms Chu's customers from Wednesday to Sunday until 9.30pm.
The Lord Mayor said the council had approved two applications from Ms Chu to expand the outdoor space since March.
This provided seating for roughly 70 patrons but also suitable room for pedestrians to walk through, Ms Moore said.
'But we have received ongoing complaints about additional furniture, umbrellas and large planters obstructing the footpath.
'Our planning staff have met with Lady Chu multiple times. Roslyn St is narrow, and it's not possible to maintain Federal Discrimination Act accessibility standards as well as all its dining tables, planters and umbrellas.
'I commend our officers for remaining calm and professional.
'We all want to see our city buzzing. That's why we offer this space and work with businesses to enjoy it. But we must also maintain sufficient space for others.'
In the video, Ms Chu pans to the walkway between her restaurant and tables asking:
'What's the f***ing problem here, you can get through, what seems to be the problem officer?
'Beautiful trees? Beautiful umbrellas? Three people can get through?
'Right now give me the f***ing fine and I will see you in court with my lawyer.'