How Victoria's shutdown almost imperilled Sydney stadium build

The wave of COVID-19 infections across Melbourne building sites threatened projects for builder John Holland well beyond state borders.

Michael BlebyDeputy property editor

Aug 24, 2020 – 12.01am

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Key Points

July revenue was up 63 per cent on June
July revenue was up 5 per cent on July last year

On August 5 builder John Holland was pouring the first basement slab on the new Sydney Football Stadium. Acting NSW Sports Minister Geoff Lee declared construction was "powering on" through the pandemic.

The next day chief executive Joe Barr received a call from the stadium's supplier of structural steel. Victoria's harsh stage four restrictions on industry were due to take effect that week and Inductabend, a Victorian supplier to John Holland subcontractor S&L Steel, didn't know if it could keep working.

Michael Bleby covers commercial and residential property, with a focus on housing and finance, construction, design & architecture. He also dabbles in the business of sport. Michael is based in Melbourne.