- Property Council said they support the Victorian Government's measures
- Danni Hunter said the construction will work closely with the Government during lockdown
- In previous lockdowns, construction work has been subject to an array of restrictions
As announced earlier this morning, Victoria will enter a hard seven-day lockdown as of midnight.
Danni Hunter, the Victorian Executive Director of the Property Council of Australia (PCA) said she supports the Victorian Government’s “appropriate and proportionate response” and given the construction sector will remain open during the lockdown, she also said the industry will work closely with the State Government.
“Victoria’s largest industry has ensured the health and safety of our workforce throughout the pandemic, by having industry-wide COVID-safety guidelines implemented on worksites, which have assisted in delivering our strong track record of no outbreaks on worksites,” said Ms Hunter.
“The Victorian Government’s decision today to keep the construction sector open during this seven-day circuit-breaker lock down, is a vote of confidence in our industry, our capability to manage COVID-safety and our ability to keep our workforce safe and our industry open.”
Danni Hunter, Property Council Victoria
During previous lockdowns, the Victorian Government imposed a variety of restrictions on construction such as limiting movement between sites and the overall number of workers allowed onsite. Additionally, during several phases, only critical infrastructure was allowed to continue.
While Ms Hunter added the response of the Victorian Government was “reasonable” she highlighted the fact that the lockdown would impact businesses and the community – especially given Jobkeeper has ended.
She has called upon the Government to work with not just construction and property but the wider business community to ensure Victoria’s economy does not stall due to the lockdown.
“Whilst this is a necessary response to the rapidly evolving situation, the lockdown will definitely jolt Victorians’ confidence and the ability of businesses to continue their recovery.
“It will be vital on the other side that we boost all efforts even further to reactivate Melbourne’s CBD and ensure this is merely a small blip in Victoria’s sustained economic recovery.”
She has further emphasised the Property Council’s calls to revoke proposed tax reforms announced during last week’s Victorian budget.
“The Andrews Government must recognise that our sustained economic recovery is still very fragile and uncertain. Within this context, major structural tax changes proposed by the Andrews Government, including increases to land tax and stamp duty, and a new tax on investment, must be completely thrown out,” said Ms Hunter.
