Gippsland tradies slam $75 million government bushfire clean-up
The state government’s $75 million bushfire clean-up grant was supposed to help devastated East Gippsland communities and businesses get back on track, but local tradies say they have been ripped off and replaced by inner-city workers.
National
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Tradies in bushfire communities have slammed the state government’s $75 million bushfire clean-up contract saying locals are being overlooked for work or being offered cut-price wages.
Local companies have reported being offered jobs through Melbourne and NSW contractors, at cut-price wages or without overtime benefits on weekends.
Construction giant Grocon has been brought in to oversee the multi-million taxpayer-funded contract to fix 692 properties in towns such as Bruthen and Mallacoota.
So far, residents have complained of long delays, but now local workers are reporting being ripped off or replaced by inner-city workers.
“The community is getting nothing,” said one local contractor, who asked not to be named for fear of losing work.
“We registered directly with Grocon and went to a meeting and then heard nothing.
“Then I had a phone call from a company in Melbourne offering work. The rates were terrible and not sustainable.
“The government has allocated this money and then these people are absolutely screwing the locals to the wall.”
The contract has been plagued with issues in recent months, with just 41 of the 692 sites cleaned up in April.
Under government regulations, contractors must have class A credentials due to asbestos removal in many places. But many accredited locals say they were never offered work.
Gippsland East Nationals MP Tim Bull said the clean-up was a shambles, “having gone through drought, fires and now into coronavirus with businesses on their knees.”
Mr Bull added: “I am advised that after Black Saturday and Wye River we had a Section 55 agreement signed that allowed for direct employment of local contractors.
“However, Bushfire Recovery Victoria (BRV) has advised me this Worksafe Agreement to allow direct local employment has not been signed off for these fires, meaning all the five major contractors engaged are metropolitan or interstate based.”
A BRV spokesman said local industry content was about 50 per cent.
“Bushfire clean-up is a hazardous job and safeguards that protect workers and locals are appropriate,” he said.
“All bushfire waste is classified as asbestos contaminated, meaning that only qualified contractors can handle it under the law.
“The clean-up of bushfire affected areas is our priority, and we’re on track for this to be fully completed by August.”
A Grocon spokeswoman said subcontractors were encouraged to to employ local contractors, where possible.
“Grocon engages its subcontractors at approved rates which are scrutinised by an independent firm against industry benchmarks and previous clean-up rates.
“Local contractors are employed directly by the subcontractors and Grocon is not a party to the rate payment agreements between the two parties.”
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Originally published as Gippsland tradies slam $75 million government bushfire clean-up