Restrictions on residential construction in Canberra to ease, as lockdown extends

Canberra’s residential construction industry can soon resume some sort of pre-lockdown normality after the ACT government announced it would ease restrictions for the industry from September 10.

ACT chief minister Andrew Barr announced on Tuesday that the reopening of residential construction is “subject to the public health situation not deteriorating between now and then”.

The territory’s lockdown was also extended to September 17.

It comes only days after Mr Barr allowed a “gradual recommencement of construction” from September 3, starting with large-scale projects including civil works such as new roads and suburban infrastructure.

At the time, industry bodies said the recommencement of such projects was unfair for small construction businesses.

A Master Builders ACT petition calling on the territory government to reopen the entire industry has garnered more than 6000 signatures since it launched on Saturday.

“The MBA has always advocated for the safe reopening of the entire construction industry,” said Master Builders ACT chief executive officer Michael Hopkins. “We know our members can do this safely and will comply with the strict safety protocols that have been developed by government and industry.

“The MBA will now focus on helping our members prepare for reopening, and will continue to call on the ACT government to provide further support for building and construction businesses and their workers, who have suffered significant financial and mental health loss.” 

Similarly, Housing Industry Association Canberra – the peak national industry association for the construction and development industry – welcomed the latest news but warned of knock-on effects should the lockdown continue beyond September 17.

“The negative impact of a prolonged lockdown goes much further than hurting those employed and working in the industry day-to-day,” said HIA executive director for ACT and Southern NSW Greg Weller. “The lockdown also means that hundreds of Canberrans have been unable to get into their new home or to complete their home renovation.”

On average, more than 100 detached homes are completed in Canberra every month, he said.

“As a result of the extended lockdown, that means 100 families are having to service a mortgage on a new home they cannot move into and continue to pay rent or a second mortgage where they live or impose on family and friends for longer than expected,” Mr Weller said. “We simply cannot go past today’s foreshadowed reopening date. 

“During the pandemic occupations have been classified as essential or non-essential, determining whether they can work or not. Putting a roof over the heads of Canberran families is surely an essential task.”

The ACT government said it would work with industry stakeholders this week on the strict COVID-safe requirements that would allow other parts of the construction sector, including residential construction, to recommence.