The Property Council of Australia has welcomed the announcement by the NSW Government that construction sites can resume to full capacity with appropriate vaccine requirements in place for LGAs of concern from this Monday September 27.
Property Council of Australia NSW Executive Director, Luke Achterstraat said the announcement was a significant boost for the property and construction industries who have shown their resilience by making sites secure, rescheduling projects and implementing COVID-safe plans.
"Returning construction sites to full capacity - with appropriate safeguards in place - will provide a shot in the arm for our state's recovery as the COVID pandemic continues to impact swathes of the economy," Mr Achterstraat said.
Mr Achterstraat said the property and construction industry led the economic recovery following the 2020 lockdown, and with one in four people in NSW drawing their wage directly from this industry, today's decision provides employment security to workers across the state.
"Resuming site capacity will also enable NSW to build the homes our state so desperately needs, the public transport our growing population demands, and the hospitals we know are critical to our states wellbeing and prosperity."
Mr Achterstraat said the property and construction industry were the first to roll up their sleeves.
"Our industry not only answered the Government's call but blazed a trail for vaccine acceleration that others can now follow. This announcement is a huge endorsement of our safety priority and ability to innovate in challenging times," he said.
"Now we can focus on the course for an economic roadmap forward, with the potential for a housing-led recovery."
"We know that Sydney's housing challenge is not meeting the Government's own target of 42,000 new homes per year. The removal of the 50 per cent cap on worksites is an important step in easing the handbrake on housing supply," he said.
"Jobs and homes have never been more important to NSW residents, and the property and construction industry stands ready to safely deliver both."
