In a UDIA NSW survey of its members, one third of housing construction sites are still closed due to current restrictions.  A quarter of developers surveyed expect to make large cuts to their workforce if restrictions remain past August.  For some developers 100% of their workforce live in the 8 lockdown LGAs and are therefore unable to work.

Developers across Greater Sydney say that on sites that are open, they are operating on average at half capacity.  Over half of developers surveyed already have a vaccination promotion policy in place.

Exacerbating the risk of significant job losses is that major developers expressed concerned about the financial support available from either the NSW or Federal Government and were unclear how to access it, with almost half stating that government support will not help their businesses, 35% were unsure and only 22% think that government support will help.

“There is a great sense of urgency to address this issue, particularly for those builders who are facing a significant cash flow impact, contracts are subject to increasing complications as they head toward sunset dates and delay costs are increasing at two to three times, due to lags in reaching delivery milestones.” said Steve Mann, CEO UDIA NSW.

“UDIA urges the NSW Government to take immediate action on the following three recommendations:

• Extend the essential workers list to include critical construction jobs that can be done in a COVIDsafe way;
• At the end of the August lockdown period, those who are double vaccinated, should be able to leave locked down LGAs and work.
• NSW Government to do more to communicate the financial support that is available to the industry, to minimise job losses through uncertainty.

Our industry is essential to the economy and every day that we are unable to generate revenue and employ thousands of workers, will further cause a drain on the state and damage local communities.” added Mr Mann.

ENDS

Media Enquiries:
Deanna Lane 0416 295 898 or dlane@udiansw.com.au.
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