Half of Darwin builders fear survival through lockdown, Master Builders NT say

After construction workers were deemed non-essential by the government, a survey of builders has found many fear for their future if the Top End’s lockdown drags on.

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AROUND half of builders in the Top End are fearful for their survival after builders were deemed non-essential workers during the current lockdown.

At least two thirds of builders have so far stood down workers, according to a survey from the Master Builders Association NT.

The government has defended the decision not to grant them an exemption, blaming the transmissibility of the Delta variant of Covid-19, despite Queensland and New South Wales allowing construction to continue through lockdowns.

Tradies were also able to work during the Northern Territory’s first lockdown in March 2020.

Master Builders NT chief executive David Malone said a snap survey of his association’s members on Tuesday night had returned 110 responses within several hours.

“I asked the companies whether they were worried about the lockdown, and 50 per cent were very worried or worried about their survival,” Mr Malone said.

David Malone from Master Builders NT is pictured outside his home in Parap. Picture: Che Chorley

He also said 67 per cent had stood down workers since the lockdown began.

Mr Malone said the lockdown was needed for public health, but feared the “real ramifications” if tradies were out of a job for longer than a week.

“You have to accept that we are in a health crisis, but I am concerned for people,” he said.

Police commissioner Jamie Chalker said the decision to not provide an exemption was due to the high level of contagiousness associated with the Delta variant.

“I’m certainly very confident the (chief health officer) is making his decisions based on the best clinical advice he’s receiving from the AHPPC,” Mr Chalker said.

“If you do not need to move, it is not essential, don’t.”

“That’s how you’re going to get back on that worksite far quicker.”

Around half of builders in the Top End are fearful for their survival after lockdown.

One Darwin-based builder, who requested to remain anonymous, said he had “concerns” if the lockdown carried on for longer than this week.

“It’s not going to be too detrimental,” the builder said.

“A week’s not too bad.”

But the builder, who has worked in the Top End construction industry for 25 years, said being unable to work during a lockdown did have detriment for his clients.

“It will definitely push back timelines, but it depends where each job sits.”

Facebook posts by Master Builders’ Queensland and New South Wales chapters confirmed builders were still deemed essential, despite those states grappling with the Delta variant.

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