The Australian flexible Pavement Association (AfPA) has welcomed the New South Wales Government’s move to reopen construction as scheduled, while noting that many projects will be impacted by the restrictions on construction workers in eight local government areas (LGAs).
Yesterday, Deputy Premier John Barilaro announced plans for cautious reopening of construction in Greater Sydney, including the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour from 31 July.
However, the reopening excludes the eight LGAs on Sydney’s south west which are on high alert over COVID-Delta outbreak. These include Fairfield, Blacktown, Cumberland, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Liverpool, Parramatta and Georges River LGAs.
With a significant proportion of New South Wales’ construction workforce living in the eight LGAs, AfPA Executive Director Lise Sperling urged the government to maintain financial support for businesses that are unable to operate due to the lockdown and restrictions on construction workers in those identified LGAs.
“We must face the reality that a lot of projects will be unable to continue. We understand this is necessary to stop the spread of COVID and will continue engaging government to explore options, such as surveillance testing, so that critical road building and maintenance projects can move forward,” she said.
“Government must also ensure there is adequate financial support for impacted businesses and individuals unable to work due to restrictions.”
As per the directives from NSW Government, construction in non-occupied settings outside of the LGAs of concern (with no residents on-site) can re-open from 12.01am, Saturday, 31 July, subject to a one person per four square-metre rule. These low-risk construction sites must have COVID safe plans in place, compliance will be strictly enforced. Construction cannot resume in the eight LGAs of concern, nor will construction workers be allowed to leave these areas.
“AfPA and its members will be reviewing today’s announcements to ensure full compliance with the new requirements on those projects that are able to progress,” Ms Sperling said.
“These are very challenging times for everyone affected by the lockdowns, which take a significant toll on people’s mental health and wellbeing. AfPA and its members will be engaging the industry workforce to ensure support is there for all those who need it.”
New South Wales reported 177 new locally acquired cases of Covid on Wednesday. This was the highest number of infections in the state since the latest outbreak.
The NSW Treasurer, Dominic Perrottet yesterday announced jobsaver payments will now be available to businesses with an annual turnover of between $75,000 and $250 million, up from $50 million, which have experienced a revenue decline of 30 per cent or more.
The maximum weekly payment has also been substantially increased, with employing businesses that maintain their employee headcount now able receive between $1,500 and $100,000 per week, up from $10,000, with payments based on 40 per cent of their weekly NSW payroll.
He defended the decision to allow construction to resume, saying it would add $550 million a week to the NSW economy.
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