The construction industry in Mitchell Shire, Melbourne and other parts of Victoria was shut down for two weeks following a violent protest outside the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union's headquarters.
The closure across Metropolitan Melbourne, Geelong, the Surf Coast, Ballarat and Mitchell Shire was decided on September 20 after the CFMEU building was damaged and riot police were deployed in chaotic scenes in the CBD.
Seymour builder Gerard O’Sullivan said keeping on top of what could and couldn’t be done was challenging.
“The shutdown has taken things to a whole new level and there’s no doubt it will have a significant impact on workers and our clients,” he said.
“Trades are often under time constraints, especially in the back end of the year heading into Christmas.
“Shutting down for a week or two is a significant setback and will put a lot of pressure on to catch up again.”
Mr O’Sullivan said the construction industry had been lucky to be able to work and it was important that it had been able to do so.
“The complete shutdown comes as a bit of shock and a new challenge to deal with both financially and mentally,” he said.
“I was disappointed when the decision was made to shut down the entire industry.
“I know my team and most other local businesses have been doing their best to do the right thing and it feels like punishing everyone for a minor group of people is a little bit unfair.
“But I do acknowledge that we want to keep our community safe and if there was a risk, we wouldn’t want to take it.
“It’ll be tools down for as long as the restrictions say so. We have to do the right thing and we certainly won’t be protesting in Melbourne.
“Hopefully it’s only a short time and we can get back to work as soon as possible.
“Our community is lucky to be supported by State Member for Euroa Steph Ryan who has provided advice and a voice supporting country businesses in parliament on numerous occasions.”
Builder Craig Sherwood said the construction industry suppliers and manufacturers shutting down for two weeks would have a huge impact.
“If they lose two or three weeks, it puts them back a month at least and that’s going to be a problem going forward,” he said.
“I don’t know much about the case numbers in regional Victoria and unfortunately we’ve been roped into the lockdown, which I don’t think is quite fair.
“But we’ve had a pretty good run and we’ve got to suck it up. We’ve been able to work the whole time and it’s pretty hard for our industry to whinge when other people are losing businesses.
“But Melbourne have had it tougher than we have and hopefully it’s only two weeks.
“I’m also happy the building industry has said everyone in the industry has to get vaccinated because it takes the onus off me as an employer.”
State Member for Euroa Steph Ryan said the decision to shut down construction in Mitchell Shire was “nonsensical and reflected the on-the-run decision-making typical of this government.”
“The communication to workers and businesses has been deplorable and shows no understanding of the trade industry,” she said.
“This government repeatedly fails to show any sort of nuance or consideration of regional Victoria.
“Why should our local tradies be subject to the same restrictions as Melbourne despite almost always operating outside and in small crews?
“There has been no consideration of the economic and mental health impact these knee-jerk reactions have on our regional communities that are already being punitively punished based on shadowy health advice.
“The COVID disaster payment does not touch the side for so many businesses in the construction industry.
“If the government wishes to make irrational decisions that threaten livelihoods, they should be footing the bill or at the very least explain how two plumbers outside on a rural property are such an existential threat to our community.”
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