- Construction work will be allowed to resume for sites in eight LGA's facing harsher lockdowns
- 50% capacity for unoccupied worksites
- Vaccination requirements required for those from affected LGAs
The New South Wales government has announced construction will be allowed to resume right across Greater Sydney with the ban on eight Local Government Areas (LGAs) set to be lifted this Wednesday.
New worksite capacity limits will be introduced, which includes minimum vaccination requirements for workers for the eight affected areas that are presently facing tougher restrictions.
“We want workers back on the tools, but we need to continue to keep this virus at bay, and so by opening unoccupied worksites at 50% capacity and vaccinating workers from within those affected LGAs, we can achieve both,” said Deputy Premier John Barilaro.
“Construction workers from the affected LGAs will be added to the list of authorised workers allowing them to work on unoccupied construction sites in Greater Sydney if they meet the vaccination conditions.”
John Barilaro, Deputy Premier NSW
Under the new rules, construction workers from affected LGA’s must provide evidence they have received either two doses of a vaccine or one dose of a vaccine at least three weeks before attending work.
If a dose has been administrated less than three weeks prior, a negative test is required within the past 72 hours.
In a statement, the NSW government noted it is currently trailing rapid antigen and that when approved by NSW Health, this testing could be used as an alternative to the negative PCR test.
Lauren Conceicao, Acting NSW Executive Director of the Property Council (PCA) said the vaccination requirements is a sensible step given the current 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.”
Lauren Conceicao, Acting NSW Executive Director, Property Council
According to Ms Conceicao, about 50% of housing is being built in Western Sydney along with significant infrastructure such as the Western Sydney Airport and the Parramatta Light Rail.
“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.”
She urges all workers to speak with their GP regarding their vaccination options, noting that construction workers would be able to attend Super Sunday at the Sydney Olympic Park vaccination centre this week.
