Government outlines exemptions to keep construction going during Melbourne lockdown
Victoria’s production line of civil construction has been spared tough new restrictions in a move that will keep the industry fuelling the state’s economy. Here’s what’s set to take place.
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Victoria’s production line of civil construction has been spared tough new restrictions in a move that will keep the industry fuelling the state’s economy.
Premier Daniel Andrews on Thursday announced tradies and supervisors would be allowed to move between up to three sites a week in order to keep construction going during a six-week Stage 4 lockdown.
But a five-worker limit on new house sites, and a 25 per cent workforce cap for larger sites, will be enforced as planned from midnight Friday.
In addition, tradies will be banned from carpooling and must flag if they live with others employed at a high-risk workplace.
Staff specifically dealing with COVID-safe operations, such as those checking worker temperatures or sanitising sites, have now been excluded from workforce caps.
Crews building pipelines, roads and other core infrastructure at new housing estates were given the all clear to work unrestricted, subject to following High Risk COVIDSafe Plans.
Steel workers will also be allowed to continue working after the government ended confusion over how best to clarify this type of work.
BlueScope chief executive Mark Vassella said the decision would keep manufacturing and building going through the lockdown period while maintaining safety.
“This will keep things moving for our customers,” he said.
“We supply steel for a very broad spread of work and this keeps the supply chains open,” he said.
“Our industry manages safety very well and will continue to do so. Anyone who could work from home already has been and we’re grateful we were able to explain that.”
But workers responsible for rectifying flammable cladding on Melbourne buildings are among those whose numbers will be cut short by the restrictions.
Apprentice tradies across Melbourne may also have their careers put on hold because of bans on carpooling.
Urban Development Institute of Australia Victorian chief executive Danni Hunter said most of yesterday’s amendments were a “big win for community and the economy”.
However, Ms Hunter warned more work needed to be done around flammable cladding.
“These works must be able to keep going without restriction on numbers and necessary works need to be able to be done urgently and done safely,” she said.
A spokesman for Cladding Safety Victoria on Thursday confirmed they were reviewing planned works “to determine what works can proceed in line with restrictions”.
Drury Construction carpenter Jarrod Drury said he personally drove four of his apprentices to work every day and the carpool ban would put their careers on pause and “could put me out of work as well”.
“I have nine units starting on Monday … so hopefully their parents will be permitted to drive them,” Mr Drury said.
Master Builders Association of Victoria chief executive Rebecca Casson said allowing tradies to move between sites would keep the “industry safely open”.
However she warned some builders and subcontractors would be unable to continue on larger projects and they were working to find solutions for affected workers.
“It is encouraging that there is a willingness from government to find workable solutions for our industry to stay open, and we’ll continue to seek clarification where its required,” Ms Casson said.
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