Housing Industry Association calls for NT government rethink on builders’ ‘non-essential’ status
A surprising decision during the Territory’s most recent lockdown has prompted calls for a government rethink before the next outbreak of Covid-19.
Northern Territory
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A SURPRISING decision to shut down building sites in the Top End’s most recent outbreak has prompted calls for a government rethink, with warnings the industry couldn’t cope if workers had to down tools again.
The decision for builders to be classed as ‘non-essential’ by the NT government during the lockdowns in Alice Springs and Greater Darwin was at odds with the Territory’s first shut down in March 2020, when operations were allowed to continue.
Despite NT authorities citing the highly infectious Delta variant as the reason for the change, the Queensland, New South Wales and Victorian governments have kept their construction sites operating through their recent battles with the strain.
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Housing Industry Association executive director Luis Espinoza said his organisation wanted the government to reconsider their position before the next lockdown.
“HIA received a number of calls from members asking how long the lockdown would extend for as the likelihood of another week was looming,” Mr Espinoza said.
“Another extension to the recent lockdown would’ve resulted in a massive protest from the
industry as member’s livelihood depended on it.”
Mr Espinoza said HIA was ready to discuss with the NT government “to provide guidelines to the house construction industry” to allow them to operate safely during another lockdown.
The recent lockdown came at a precarious time for the housing industry, which has in recent months seen a building boom frustrated by the “major strain” of labour shortages and material supplies being delayed.
“The injection of grants such as Home Builder, NT Build bonus to the housing construction sector surpassed expectations,” Mr Espinoza said.
Planning Minister Eva Lawler acknowledged the pain lockdowns had put affected industries through.
“However, to keep our community safe we acted on the health advice and I thank the construction industry for following the CHO directions during the recent lock down,” Ms Lawler said.
“We don’t want to hurt small business, that is why we have a range of programs in place to enact when a crisis hits, such as the recent Territory Business Lockdown Payment.”
Ms Lawler said emergency repairs were exempted during the most recent lockdown.
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