Work will resume on many construction sites around the Illawarra this weekend after a two-week halt on any building activity in Greater Sydney.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Among those who have spent the last two days preparing multiple sites is Sean Vickery, of GJ Gardner Homes.
Mr Vickery said a lot of work was going on behind the scenes to prepare for the new requirements.
"We have been able to do a bit of preparation work in order to secure those sites on Thursday and Friday as we gear up to start work where we can tomorrow," he said.
Mr Vickery said GJ Gardner Homes was committed to obeying all the guidelines and was being careful to adopt every practice required for workers to return safely.
"With new homes we are allowed to have one trade based on a site at a time. And we have to comply with the 4m2 rule. It will effect some progress. But having one trade at a time is better than nothing."
Mr Vickery's admin team was busy on Friday planning a schedule to manage all sites efficiently and safely.
"Jobs will not move as quickly as they would have before. But in this environment we are just grateful to be back."
Mr Vickery said there was considerable paperwork to complete to comply with new restrictions.
"We need QR codes on every site. We also have a register of the people on every site we need to fill out. And we need to have COVID safety plans that are site specific. With multiple sites we need to fill out multiple reports and safety plans that are required."
Mr Vickery said with many trades people not permitted to leave the worst-hit suburbs in Sydney that would have an impact on residential construction.
"A lot of kitchen benchtop suppliers, tilers, plasterers and timber merchants come from there. So that will be a disruption that is felt right across the industry," he said.
Mr Vickery said clients had been very patient and understanding at a time when there was also plenty of pressure on them.
While he was initially concerned about security on building sites he said thankfully there had been very little theft. Strong winds had presented more of a challenge.
Wollongong City Council is also preparing for some outdoor construction works to resume after Saturday.
Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said staff have been working on plans to support crews safely as they restart work on targeted sites.
He said crews have been on the ground throughout the lockdown undertaking essential works that support community safety.
During the last two weeks the council has prioritised targeted works such as pothole and storm water maintenance.
But the change in the Public Health Order will allow it to widen the scope of such work while maintaining an ongoing focus keeping public amenities, bins and parks clean and tidy for members of the community taking the opportunity to exercise outdoors.
"Over the coming days people will see council staff undertaking preliminary work to set up sites where the pause button had been hit," Cr Bradbery said.
"This might include taking delivery of materials and moving equipment back on to site. As this gets underway, I assure the community our attention remains firmly focused on the safety, health and wellbeing of our staff and community."
Cr Bradbery said while the restart of construction works will be welcomed by some, it was still a very difficult time for many.
"We're seeing people struggling through loss of work, parents having to strike a balance between their own work and homeschooling their children, families who are unable to meet face-to-face with loved ones and businesses facing very challenging times to stay afloat,'' he said.
"If there ever was a time to be kind to your neighbours and your community, this is it. We need to band together and do everything we can to reduce the threat of this COVID variant.
"It's terrifyingly contagious and the only way we can beat it, is to follow all the advice of NSW Health, limit the time you spend outside your home and to get tested if you're feeling unwell.''
Read more:
- Wollongong COVID patient hospitalised, Bellambi IGA listed as venue of concern
- From little things relaxing lifestyles come with the evolution of tiny homes
- Dog training academy teaches how to have a happy canine when you can no longer work from home
- Funding support for Illawarra accommodation providers
- The Fraternity Club weathers the COVID storm with drive-thru pizza
- Illawarra Credit Union named Australia's best
- Wollongong's Shanna White appointed Australian and New Zealand Mental Health Association ambassador
- Wollongong founded COVID Facebook page for small businesses in lockdown
We depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.