Victorian construction sites to close for two weeks amid Covid noncompliance

Level crossing removal projects have been halted as part of the statewide construction industry shutdown. It comes as more than 330 Covid cases are linked to the sector.

Work on all level crossing removal projects has stalled as part of the government-mandated shutdown of the construction industry.

In a statement, the Level Crossing Removal Authority said the shutdown was needed to help reduce the spread of Covid and to give construction workers an opportunity to get vaccinated.

“Project sites are expected to reopen on Tuesday, October 5, and we’re working closely with our construction partners to comply with construction related public health orders by this time,” the statement said.

Buses will continue to replace trains on the Frankston, Lilydale, and Williamstown lines, and most local roads that are currently shut as part of our projects will remain so, with traffic control in place.

“It’s not possible to reopen train lines and roads halfway through major construction blitzes given tracks have not been laid, new roads have not been built, and the infrastructure has not been commissioned.”

It comes after authorities defended the move to shutdown the sector, saying construction crews were given ample warning before it was forced to shut for two weeks.

The widespread closure, which began overnight, applies to worksites across Melbourne, Ballarat, Geelong, Mitchell Shire and the Surf Coast.

The government had begged building sites to comply with Covid-safe rules for weeks, with authorities on Tuesday revealing 337 of the state’s cases were linked to construction, with 239 of those cases linked to outbreaks on sites in metroplitan Melbourne.

There are seven construction sites which are each linked to five or more cases.

Treasurer and Industrial Relations Minister Tim Pallas said there had been poor compliance and fresh outbreaks — a situation that “could not continue”.

Treasurer Tim Pallas says the industry had plenty of warning. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake

“We can’t simply have an industry as one of the focal points, one of the greater areas of activity of the virus spread in the community not adhering to the safe requirements for work that we put in place,” he said.

Health Minister Martin Foley added: “Because of its age, its mobility and its diversity, the responsibility of staying open comes with the responsibility of minimising the spread of virus”.

It comes as hundreds of protesters marched to Parliament House, the day after violence broke out at CFMEU headquarters on Monday.

A man’s worksite death in West Melbourne is also expected to fuel the protesters’ fury.

Mr Pallas said permitted workers had an obligation to follow the rules and not put the community at risk.

Mr Pallas highlighted that inspectors visited thousands of worksites over the past fortnight, with nearly half failing to meet Covid-safe requirements.

“The construction industry must take this opportunity and I’m sure it will take the opportunity to reset and restart the industry,” he said.

“We cannot simply go back to the way things were being conducted. Broad-scale noncompliance across the industry that was constituting a threat to public health in the most dramatic of terms.”

The state government on Monday night said the shutdown was needed to cut down movement, reduce transmission and let the industry adapt to new requirements.

Skeleton crews will be allowed to attend some sites to ensure safety and security and a limited number of critical projects could be exempt, although that was still being decided on Monday night.

The construction industry is in a two-week shutdown. Picture: Jason Edwards

The government will work with the industry over the next two weeks to work out the best way to police vaccination and Covid rule compliance.

All construction sites will be required to demonstrate compliance with the CHO’s directions prior to reopening, including showing evidence of vaccination.

Workers must have had one dose of the Covid vaccine before they return to work on October 5.

Mr Pallas said: “We’ve been clear: if you don’t follow the rules, we won’t hesitate to take action – we have seen widespread noncompliance across the industry and that’s why we’re taking necessary steps to protect every single Victorian.

“We put the industry on notice just a week ago, we have seen appalling behaviour on site and on our streets, and now we’re acting decisively and without hesitation.”

Property Council of Australia Victorian executive director Danni Hunter said the lockdown could cost the industry $1.1bn a week.

Protesters brawl with each other outside the CFMEU headquarters in Melbourne on Monday. Picture: David Geraghty

FAMILIES AFFECTED BY BUILDING BAN

Single-house builds and renovation jobs will come under a total construction ban in Melbourne and lockdown areas, with the Housing Industry Association warning families would be significantly affected.

HIA Victoria executive director Fiona Nield said the construction was disappointing but also posed major challenges because of the number of sites that needed to be closed.

“This announcement will not only affect businesses and workers in the industry but will have a significant impact on the many families whose projects will now be stalled during this shut down,” she said.

“The government has said this action has been taken in response to what it has described as widespread noncompliance in the industry.

Angry construction workers block off a road in protest. Picture: William West

“The closure presents enormous difficulties for at least 30,000 small scale residential building projects currently under construction, each of which will now need to be made safe and secure during the shut down period.”

Ms Nield said the home building sector had previously had a strong record in following Covid-safe rules.

“Domestic home building sites have been operating with heavy restrictions on worker numbers and the movement of workers between sites,” she said.

“Whilst this announcement is disappointing, and the next few days will be challenging to make sites secure, the industry will work to meet the government’s requirements to enable work to recommence as soon as possible.

“The industry is keen to continue working with the government to engage and ensure this shutdown is as brief as possible.”

‘NEO-NAZIS’ BLAMED FOR VIOLENCE

The CFMEU accused “outside extremists” of manipulating its members, saying an angry mob that caused violence at its headquarters in Melbourne’s CBD on Monday had been “infiltrated by neo-Nazis”.

“They’re not really unionists, they’re just the scum of the earth as far as I’m concerned,” leader John Setka said.

“Those drunken, fascist un-Australian morons are the reason construction workers will be sitting at home and not getting paid for at least the next two weeks.”

Data released last week showed 73 per cent of 200-odd construction sites audited on a single day were failing to comply with health directions.

There is also an increasing number of Covid cases connected to the construction sector, and workers have seeded outbreaks in several regional areas.

Industry groups, which met with government officials on Monday night, were told violent protests outside the CFMEU’s headquarters on Monday showed there were significant safety concerns about hostile parts of the industry, while workers walking off sites also created disruptions.

John Setka attempts to speak with construction workers at the CFMEU office. Picture: David Crosling

The decision has been driven by difficulties in achieving vaccination among workers, with construction figures frustrated by the way the government has handled the announcement that employees must get a first dose by September 23.

The opposition has accused the government of sending Victoria into a “a state of chaos” and called on them to cancel the construction lockout.

Liberal Shadow Minister for Industry and Manufacturing Bridget Vallence said the government should “immediately reverse its panicked decision”.

“The Liberal Nationals condemn the violent protests, but the actions of a few should not be used as an excuse to shut down an entire industry, putting tens of thousands of people out of work,” she said.

“Daniel Andrews panicked and has provided no health advice for his drastic action that construction is not safe tomorrow, when it was safe today.

“Thousands of workers and subcontractors will be forced out of work because of Daniel Andrews’ and Labor’s failure to prepare the health system and manage the Covid crisis.”

Federal Housing Minister Michael Sukkar on Monday blasted the “quite disgusting” actions of “union thugs” at Monday’s protest.

CFMEU members protect the building after chaos erupts. Picture: David Geraghty

Mr Sukkar, a senior Victorian MP, also criticised the Andrews government for shutting down the construction industry instead of choosing to “deal with the trouble-makers”.

He said it had been a “chaotic decision-making process” that had unfairly put 320,000 law-abiding people out of work.

“Punishing all of those people because of the actions of a violent minority is not the answer,” Mr Sukkar said.

Mr Sukkar said the industry shutdown would cost the economy $2.2bn in construction activity and almost $640m in lost wages.

“Whether it’s the apprentice carpenter from Frankston, the brickie from Geelong or the concreter from Ballarat, these Victorians should not be made to suffer as retaliation for the actions of violent protesters in Carlton yesterday,” he said.

“Not to mention the first-home buyers, renovators and home builders who will suffer financially as a result of their projects being delayed and lives disrupted.”

“All law-abiding Victorians, including those in the building and construction industry, rightly expect to be treated more fairly by their state government.”

“Having suffered some of the longest lockdowns anywhere in the world, the last thing Victorians need at this time is more distress and chaos.”

PAY DEAL FALLS THROUGH

Earlier on Monday, unions including the CFMEU had been asking to still receive eight hours of pay while working six hours, as they sought an agreement with the industry to keep operating under new restrictions.

A ban on lunch breaks in tea rooms was a major sticking point and the pay deal would have allowed work to continue without needing breaks.

For a brief period, it was hoped a solution would be reached.

But the entire discussion was overruled once tensions escalated and the state government decided a full shutdown was required.

Sources familiar with the discussions insisted violent protests outside the CFMEU offices did not influence the decision.

Riot police face off against protesters at CFMEU headquarters.

Unions and industry figures were repeatedly told the first-dose requirement was the only way to keep operating, and many of them were on board with the plan.

But disagreements remained about how the decision to mandate the jab was rolled out, and some construction leaders felt the government had mishandled the messaging and made the job of convincing staff much more difficult.

Property Council of Australia Victorian executive director Danni Hunter said she was disappointed by the decision to shut down the industry and estimated it would cost the economy $1.1bn a week.

“The property and construction industry employs over 300,000 Victorians,” she said.

“It is the largest single employer in the state and has worked productively throughout the pandemic, keeping Victorians employed and essential projects progressing.

“With so many Victorians employed in the sector, its essential status has been recognised through the pandemic and we’ve been fortunate to be able to keep working even at a reduced capacity.”

Ms Hunter said the Property Council would work with the government to improve Covid safety compliance.

“We condemn the actions of rogue protesters we’ve seen in Melbourne in recent days, and they do not represent the industry or its workforce,” she said.

“The majority of construction sites and construction workers are doing everything required of them to meet the highest standards of Covid safety and have done so since the pandemic started.

“Construction industry workers are stepping up and getting vaccinated. Closing the industry will prevent them going to work and getting paid and it will stall projects causing immensely costly delays, putting projects and Victorian jobs at risk.”