Disruptive light rail prep work on one of Sydney's busiest thoroughfares will be brought forward to clear a path to CBD shops in time for Christmas.
The NSW government will launch a media blitz this weekend to prepare Sydneysiders for the traffic and bus changes that will come into force around George Street on October 4.
A day later, the government will begin the work needed to lay the groundwork for its promised light rail corridor.
"This is about to get tough. It's going to be a complex build," Transport Minister Andrew Constance said.
By moving the start date forward, the government hopes to complete this phase of work by the start of the all-important December shopping season.
Authorities have warned access on some CBD streets will be so restricted at times that only delivery vehicles and local apartment-dwellers will be allowed through.
Mr Constance said he would not apologise for spending $4 million already on a series of TV ads warning Sydneysiders to expect frustration and traffic snarls - and said spending in that area was ramping up.
"It's about $6 million at this point in time, but I'm going to continue to invest," he said.
NSW Labor's transport spokesman Ryan Park said the scheduling reshuffle was evidence of poor planning.
"This must be the only government in the entire world that's forgotten that Christmas occurs on the same day each and every year," Mr Park told reporters.
He accused the government of sending "mixed messages" to commuters and shoppers.
"On the one hand we have the government saying stay away from George Street, (and then) a couple of months out they say come on down it will be great around Christmas. This is simply absurd."
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