To support the New South Wales construction and development industry, Mr Stokes announced the NSW Government would continue doing everything it could to ensure as many people as possible kept their jobs while also remaining safe from the virus.
As of 2 April, new rules introduced by the state government stipulate that construction sites, including trenchless ones, are allowed to operate on weekends and public holidays to keep the sector running.
“The construction and development sectors, which make up almost 10 per cent of NSW’s economy, will be vital in keeping people in jobs and keeping investment flowing over the coming weeks and months,” says Mr Stokes.
“In NSW there are almost 400,000 people employed in the property and construction industry and we are committed to doing everything we can to keep each of them in work, but most importantly, to keep them safe and healthy.”
“The [construction and development sectors] will be vital in keeping people in jobs and keeping investment flowing into our state over the coming weeks and months,” he says.
Social distancing measures remain in place
The move allows workers to abide by social distancing rules while keeping construction projects progressing by allowing work to be spread across more days of the week, while also reducing significant losses to productivity and jobs.
On 24 March 2020, the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 was amended to enable Mr Stokes to issue orders that override normal planning controls during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the health and safety of workers and the wider community.
Now, the Environmental Planning and Assessment (COVID-19 Development – Construction Work Days) Order 2020 is in place and will continue until the COVID-19 pandemic is over or the advice of NSW Health changes.
The NSW Government says compliance with this order will be monitored and reviewed in case of any adverse impacts on the community or to public health.
A flow on effect
With the NSW Government’s legislation changes demonstrating its support for the continuation of infrastructure developments, the water sector remains positive its vital works will not be negatively affected either.
As an essential service, the maintenance, operations and rehabilitation of water and wastewater pipes will also continue to take place alongside infrastructure developments, allowing for job security of water sector workers and reliable water services to the public.
Accelerated planning for projects
To further support the construction industry, Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes and Treasurer Dominic Perrottet announced on 24 April 2020 a new Planning System Acceleration Program.
The first 24 projects to undergo the fast-tracked assessment process as part of the NSW Government’s industry support will have the potential to deliver almost 9,500 new jobs and inject more than $7.54 billion into the state’s economy.
“By fast-tracking assessments, we will keep people in jobs and keep the construction industry moving as we ride out the COVID-19 pandemic and set our sights on economic recovery,” says Ms Berejiklian.
This article was featured in the June 2020 edition of Trenchless Australasia. To view the magazine on your PC, Mac, tablet or mobile device, click here.
For more information visit the NSW Government website.
If you have news you would like featured in Trenchless Australasia contact Journalist Sophie Venz at svenz@gs-press.com.au