Even though many builders are desperate to return to work, some sectors are experiencing project delays of up to a month because the construction shutdown affected secondary industries, such as materials manufacturing.
Ms Allan said the closure disrupted the supply of many construction industry raw materials.
Construction workers erect barriers as they return to work in Melbourne’s CBD on Tuesday morning.Credit:Simon Schluter
“There’s no doubt that what was done in the last couple of weeks has caused destruction to the supply chain,” she said.
Jason Charles, of Charles Bros Building Contractors, said some of his projects had been delayed by four weeks because of the backlog for construction materials following the shutdown.
He said door and window factories produced such a high volume of goods that their storage facilities quickly reached capacity when construction stopped, so producers were also forced to take two weeks off because they had run out of warehouse space to store the excess stock.
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“People think we’re two weeks behind, but we have to wait for windows and doors to come in, so we’re more like four weeks behind,” he said. “I tell this to clients, and they say: ‘You’re f—ing joking aren’t you?’ ”
Unvaccinated building workers were to be turned away from their jobs from Tuesday morning because of a Victorian government ruling that they must have at least one COVID-19 jab to return to work.
Elevate Building managing director Matt Mina agreed that project delays would now be extended.
“Everyone’s very well excited to get back into it,” .he said. “There are a lot more hoops to jump through, so people are a little apprehensive. That has made our job a bit more difficult, but we’re getting on with it.”
Although some people were wary of the rules placed on construction projects after the protests, Mr Mina suspected most demonstrators had returned to work.
Police outside the CFMEU’s office last monthCredit:Getty
“My personal view is that if they want to protest, that’s their prerogative, but their voice has been heard,” he said. “Some of the restrictions were made more manageable, but I think their voices were heard
The government has ruled large-scale building sites can have up to 25 per cent of workers on site from Tuesday, and has allowed lunchrooms to be open “with strict density requirements and additional ventilation”. It’s earlier decision to close lunchrooms sparked controversy.
Employers must request from workers proof of their vaccination status before allowing them to work, or they must provide a medical exemption.
Master Builders Victoria recently told its members: “Please note that medical exemptions are expected to be rare and should be scrutinised carefully.”
Large building sites will be allowed to return to full production when 70 per cent of the state’s eligible population is double-dose vaccinated.
Master Builders Victoria chief executive Rebecca Casson said the past two-week shutdown had been “extremely challenging for many of our members unable to work”.
“The decision to restart building and construction work from today for most of our members is very much welcome,” she said. “As we restart work today, it’s important our industry adheres to all COVIDSafe guidelines, as we know the spotlight will be on our sector, especially while case numbers remain high.”
With Ben Schneiders
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