Construction workers in eight local government areas (LGAs) of concern in New South Wales will now have the opportunity to return to work, as long as they are vaccinated.
The Announcement:
The Property Council of Australia has welcomed the NSW Government’s announcement today that a framework is in place to allow construction sites right across Greater Sydney to open and workers to attend site, including workers and sites located in locked down LGAs, subject to vaccinations as of Wednesday 11 August.
Acting NSW Executive Director of the Property Council of Australia, Lauren Conceicao, said this is was a sensible step to secure the future of construction through the NSW outbreak.
“The Government has worked closely with industry to formulate an avenue that allows construction workers in locked down LGAs to return to work in a safe and controlled manner and allow them to reopen safely,” Ms Conceicao said.
“Workers in the eight LGAs will now have the opportunity to return to work, ensuring their incomes are restarted and projects can flow. This is a positive step for the wellbeing and financial security of workers and their families.
“Western Sydney is the construction hub of the state, building some of the state’s most significant projects. Almost 50 percent of our housing is being built in the region. The Western Sydney Airport, Paramatta light rail and the fastest-growing commercial centre outside of a capital city in the country can all safely restart works under this plan.
“This gives us a clear platform for how industries safely reopen with a vaccine-led solution. Vaccination is the ticket to safety for us all, and through this plan it’s also a ticket to work.
“We congratulate the Government for making this sensible decision and thank them and Infrastructure NSW for engaging so closely with the industry over this period.” Property Council will continue to work with government on the details of the platform. Ms Conceicao said construction workers would be able to leave locked down LGAs for work under this new plan, subject to being vaccinated.
“Those with just one vaccine will continue to be subject to regular negative test results. For workers double vaccinated, a vaccination certificate that can be saved on their phone will become their green tick to work,” she said.
“We encourage all workers to speak with their GP and where possible get vaccinated. Next Sunday construction workers will be able to attend Super Sunday at Sydney Olympic Park vaccination centre for construction vaccination day.
“The construction industry has a responsibility to progress this plan safely, with COVID plans in place and in practice, including the use of QR codes, knowing their workers vaccine status, and where they live. Good records will be important, and there will be significant penalties for non-compliance.”
Source: Property Council of Australia 
