Builders share border block frustration

Gold Coast builders say they will struggle to access millions of dollars of work in NSW because of the hard border closure.

GOLD Coast builders say they will struggle to access millions of dollars of work in NSW because of the hard border closure.

Peak industry body Master Builders says uncertainty around border exemptions and pass processes will stall one of the “only industries holding up the economy”.

Under the current border provisions listed on the state website, construction workers are classified as ‘essential workers’, but only when entering the Queensland to undertake necessary work.

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Gold Coast builder Corey Hobbins. Picture Scott Powick Newscorp

No clarification is made for those returning home to Qld, which is a point of concern for Coast builders say they have to get to jobs as far south as Lismore.

These workers say they want assurances they will be able to go to their worksites outside of the established bubble, and return home without having to quarantine.

Master Builders CEO Grant Galvin said the industry had the proven it can follow social distancing and hygiene protocols.

“To our knowledge, not one person-to-person transmission was recorded in Queensland from a construction site,” Mr Galvin said.

He said the industry needed planning to ensure work continued and could not easily respond to “last-minute” policy changes.

“We’ve got one member with a 100-tonne crane from Currumbin booked to lift tilt panels in Byron next week, with no idea if the crane crew will be able to return to Queensland after the job,” he said.

Coast builders ringing the state hotline for advice are reportedly being told they will have to return via air and quarantine.

Gold Coast builder Corey Hobbins, who owns Hotondo Homes in the city’s north, said at least a dozen jobs booked in Northern NSW fell outside of the “bubble”.

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Regional Manager for Master Builders John Duncalfe and Corey HobbinsPicture Scott Powick Newscorp

“We have at least $1 million worth of jobs all the way down to Lismore and guys spread across the Gold Coast and to Brisbane so the bubble doesn’t work for us,” he said.

“We have had a huge amount of new contracts because of stimulus measures but now we can’t get to them. I don’t know what will happen.”

Member for Burleigh and shadow minister for housing and public works Michael Hart said his phone had been ringing off the hook about the issue.

“Right now with all that is happening the construction industry is vital to our survival, we can’t afford to lose any more jobs.

“The Government needs to address this now.”

A Queensland Government spokesperson said the border closure is the best way to protect Queenslanders, their health and our economy from a second wave.

“We’ve seen what is happening in Victoria, whole worksites are being shut down and people are dying – we don’t want to see that happen here,” they said.

“Under the new border restrictions, people performing an essential activity in Queensland are eligible for an exemption.

“These are unprecedented times. We will keep working with industry and prioritise keeping Queenslanders in jobs, while following the health advice.”