Vaccinated Parramatta construction workers return to work, Willow Grove days numbered

As vaccinated workers return to multiple construction sites across Parramatta, fears are mounting that it could signal the imminent end of a heritage jewel in the CBD.

As vaccinated workers return to multiple construction sites across Parramatta, fears are mounting that it could signal the imminent end of Willow Grove to make way for the Powerhouse Museum.

Parramatta is starting to get its construction groove back after a ban was lifted on tradies from eight local government areas if they could produce proof of vaccination but builders have also returned to Willow Grove, prompting fears the heritage-listed building's days are numbered.

Despite the CFMEU-imposed green ban, the 140-year-old former maternity hospital could soon be dismantled to make way for the $915 million Powerhouse Museum at Phillip St.

In July, the Land and Environment Court ruled the State Government could remove Willow Grove after North Parramatta Residents' Action Group lost its bid  challenging the government's planning approval.

NPRAG said there were still no public reports on how Willow Grove could be relocated.

Parramatta AdvertiserWillow Grove, Parramatta on Monday, 15 February 2021. Picture / Monique Harmer

"Currently with no public reports existing on how Willow Grove can even be relocated, or where or when it will ever see the light of day, it's completely outrageous that any works commence on this site at all,'' NPRAG spokeswoman Suzette Meade said.

"The community of Parramatta is passionate about their stories, their heritage, their trees and their green space - but they are all being rapidly erased by this government.''

On Wednesday, workers were on the site at Willow Grove and others including the Parramatta Light Rail and Parramatta Square.

Under new rules, construction workers who live in eight local government areas including Parramatta and Cumberland, must be vaccinated before returning to work on sites, which can reach 50 per cent capacity.

Employees can return to work with two jabs or at least one dose three weeks before attending work. If a dose is received less than three weeks before returning to work, they must undertake a test in the previous 72 hours. 

Construction company Built, which is behind the $2.3 billion Parramatta Square project, said workers have been asked to show their proof of vaccination through the Medicare app on their phones.

"We're undertaking a gradual restart for our impacted sites over the next week while we work through the updated NSW Government requirements and understand the current level of vaccination amongst workers to reach the 50 per cent capacity limit,'' a spokeswoman said.

Before the lockdown, 950 tradies worked at Parramatta Square.

Before the construction ban, more than 600 people worked on the 12km light rail project, which has been 70 per cent completed.

A Transport for NSW spokeswoman said Parramatta's Eat St would be transformed with paving, trees and outdoor dining in coming weeks.

Parramatta Lord Mayor Bob Dwyer welcomed the return of construction for vaccinated workers.

"The City of Parramatta has been severely impacted by the current lockdown restrictions, so this announcement is a glimmer of light at the end of the dark lockdown tunnel,'' he said.

"Parramatta is the engine room of the NSW economy, with more than $6 billion in construction projects under way.

"It's great to see important community projects like 5 Parramatta Square, the new aquatic and leisure centre, and Parramatta Light Rail get back on track.''

Parramatta's 'pain'

The implementation of the construction ban on July 19 was predicted to cost tens of millions of dollars in Parramatta, Business Western Sydney executive director David Borger said at the time.

Mr Borger called for exemptions such as allowing building sites to permit a quarter of workers to continue projects.

“This is painful for Parramatta,’’ he said.

Light rail construction grinds to a halt at Church St. Picture: David Swift

“This construction lockdown is a bitter pill because Parramatta is a construction town at the moment.

“We’ve got more high-vis in Parramatta than anywhere else. There’s so many cafes reliant on that trade that aren’t going to get those work boots walking their door anymore.’’

That included the Parramatta Square project and the first stage of the light rail, which was slated to complete the Eat St phase at the end of July.

“It was close to being finished,’’ Mr Borger said.

Business Western Sydney’s executive director David Borger. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

“The retailers and the community have been waiting for it for two years now. The best time to do construction without disrupting the community is now.

“There’s an army of construction workers in Parramatta at the moment and we’ve just sent the army home.’’

Construction company Built, which is working on 6-8 Parramatta Square and 5 Parramatta Square, said the closure would impact 950 workers.

“Since Saturday’s announcement, we have been in dialogue with NSW Government, industry bodies and unions to ensure we can put in place the right measures in order to safely reopen Parramatta Square and our other project sites across greater Sydney as soon as possible,’’

Built chief executive officer Brett Mason said.

“As a national construction group working within the commercial sector, we have demonstrated through previous lockdowns including in Victoria our ability to swiftly put in place strict COVID management plans to safeguard workers and the community.”

But John El-Bayeh, who owns the established El-Phoenician restaurant at Church St, cautiously welcomed the restrictions.

“We don’t know how long we’re going to be in lockdown for so it’s a catch 22 situation,’’ he said.

“Even if we do get out of Covid, there’s going to be so many restrictions.’’

He said with many construction workers coming from the severely Covid-hit southwest and western Sydney, it was the “right decision’’ to suspend construction.

Workers continue working through lockdown on 5 Parramatta Square on July 14, before the construction ban.

“I notice a lot of tradies are going to cafes and hovering around,’’ he said.

“When they’re eating, six or eight of them are sitting down in one spot with no masks. I think these two weeks is important for all of us.”

On July 19, when NSW recorded 98 new Covid cases, Ms Berejiklian defended the decision to clamp down on the construction industry, saying the risk of workplace transmission was too high.

“Having the risk of thousands of thousands of people being mobile at the one time, many of them coming from communities that have had cases, was too big a risk,’’ she said.

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