Construction and Maintenance re-start

Please find below more information regarding the re-start of construction and maintenance in the Greater Sydney area. The official Government Health Order that covers the relevant industry information can be found here.

Construction 

Construction re-start 
From the morning of Saturday 31 July 2021, work at constructions sites in Greater Sydney, including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour local government areas (but excluding sites in the Blacktown, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Liverpool and Parramatta local government areas) will be permitted to resume, with each site required to have a  COVID-19 Safety Plan.

COVID Safety Plan 
COVID-19 Safety Plans are mandatory for construction on any site that is not an occupied residence in Greater Sydney. Note: A small construction site means a construction site where 10 people or less attend the site over any 24 hour period. 

It is also recommended by NSW Health that other construction and tradespeople use a COVID safety plan. The TLA recommends all members do this to ensure our industry can remain open. 

Complete the plan in consultation with workers, then share it with them.

Please click here for link to start a COVID-safe plan. TLA also recommends Members register as COVID Safe. Please see details here. 

Western Sydney restrictions 

Until further notice, work at construction sites in the Blacktown, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Liverpool or Parramatta local government areas is not to be carried out unless the work is urgently required: 

• to ensure the safety or security of the construction site 
• to deal with environmental risks 
• to maintain and ensure the integrity of critical plant, equipment or assets, including partially completed works, that would otherwise deteriorate 
• to receive deliveries of supplies that would otherwise deteriorate 
• to maintain public utilities 
• to ensure the safe operation of existing transport infrastructure 
• by or on behalf of NSW Health in response to the COVID-19 pandemic 
• because of an emergency. 

If you live in the Blacktown, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Liverpool or Parramatta local government areas, you are not authorised to leave the local government area you live in to work at a construction site.  

Maintenance  

Renovations, repairs, maintenance, and cleaning 
The rules in relation to the renovation of homes where people are living and repairs, maintenance and cleaning are changing from 31 July 2021.

From 31 July 2021:  

In homes where people are living, these works can resume in Greater Sydney, including the Blue Mountains, Wollongong, Central Coast, and Shellharbour local government areas (except for the Blacktown, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Liverpool and Parramatta local government areas).  

The restrictions that apply to repairs, maintenance and cleaning services will change in Greater Sydney, including the Blue Mountains, Wollongong, Central Coast, and Shellharbour local government areas (except for the Blacktown, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Liverpool and Parramatta local government areas) include:

• In an outdoor area, no more than five persons can undertake work at the same time;  
• In an indoor area, no more than two persons can undertake work at the same time; and  
• If work is occurring in an indoor area on the premises, and other persons (such as members of the household) are present at the premises, the other persons must stay in a separate indoor area of the premises from the persons undertaking the work at all times.

In the Blacktown, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Liverpool and Parramatta local government areas, restrictions on renovations, repairs, maintenance and cleaning services that can be provided in your home will continue to apply until further notice.  

Mask Wearing

In Greater Sydney, when you leave home, you must carry a face mask with you at all times.

You must wear a face mask:

• in all indoor areas of non-residential premises
• at certain outdoor gatherings
• if you are on public transport
• in a major recreation facility such as a stadium
• if you are working in a hospitality venue
• in indoor and outdoor areas of construction sites, except when an exemption applies such as when wearing a face mask creates a safety issue or there is a worksite emergency
• when working in an outdoor area.

Face masks must be worn at indoor or outdoor areas of a fresh food market including:

• Sydney Markets at Flemington Markets
• Sydney Fish Markets.

Sundays and public holidays  

Deputy Premier John Barilaro has also announced that as part of the plan to reopen construction, worksites will be able to operate on Sundays and public holidays for the remainder of the year, up until Christmas, to make up for any time lost. See the media release here.

Non-compliance

From tomorrow, Friday 30 July 2021, NSW Police will have additional powers to close down businesses and worksites where the Public Health Orders are not being observed. In addition, personal fines for not wearing masks as mandated will increase from $200 to $500 from tomorrow.

Please ensure that all COVID safe plans are in place for a safe return to work from 31 July. Financial and other assistance is available. See the COVID-19 Support Package. 

Please contact the TLA team on (02) 9630 4844 or via team@landscapeassociation.com.au should you need assistance.