SHUTDOWN OF WESTERN SYDNEY CONSTRUCTION WILL COST ECONOMY $32MILLION PER DAY

29 July 2021

Business Western Sydney is calling for the end of the complete ban on construction work in the 8 ‘ultra-lockdown’ local government areas that is costing the economy $32 million a day and putting 80,000 jobs at risk.

The 8 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Blacktown, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Liverpool and Parramatta are still subject to a complete ban on all outdoor construction work. 

“Western and South Western Sydney provides the muscle for Sydney to operate effectively. It is the home of construction jobs and construction workers. Locking out these workers from working in largely outdoor settings defies logic,” Business Western Sydney Executive Director, David Borger said.

“There are approximately 80,000 construction workers who live in the locked down LGAs – 33% of Greater Sydney’s construction workforce. That’s 80,000 workers who do not have the ability to work from home in front of a computer screen who are now lining up for financial support instead of building our city.

“By completely halting all construction in the locked down LGAs, we run the risk of thousands of workers, sub-contractors and business owners completely going bust.

“We estimate that the shutdown of the construction industry in the eight LGAs will cost the economy $32 million per day.

“The Parramatta CBD is a ghost town at the moment. Now is the best time to be getting on with major construction projects like Parramatta Light Rail and Parramatta Square. Having so few people around yet delaying construction on these outdoor projects makes no sense. 

“By implementing rapid antigen testing on site and ensuring that only outdoor work is completed will assist in minimising risk on these construction sites,” Mr Borger said.