Construction industry moves to 'pilot light' status under Stage 4 restrictions

Victorian Premier Dan Andrews announced restrictions today as part of a Stage 4 lockdown.

Changes affecting the real estate industry include those to the construction sector which will move to pilot light levels. 

For major construction sites that means no more than 25 per cent of the normal workforce onsite.

Small-scale construction will be limited to a maximum of five people onsite.

He said, "To date, we've almost halved the number of people onsite on some of our biggest Government projects. Now we're going to go through project by project, line by line to make sure they are reduced to the practical minimum number of workers."

These workplaces that are continuing to operate will also have additional requirements including extra PPE, staggering shifts, staggering breaks, health declarations and more support for sick workers to ensure they stay home.

Melbourne’s property market will be able to continue to operate under tough, new stage four restrictions.

And property sales in major regional cities such as Geelong and Ballarat will face a similar market to Melbourne, with stage three restrictions to be introduced across the rest of the state from Wednesday.

Under both stage three and four restrictions, only one-on-one private inspections and online auctions will be able to go ahead, allowing buying and selling to continue.

"First, supermarkets, grocery stores, bottle shops, pharmacies, petrol stations, banks, newsagencies, post offices — plus everyone involved in our frontline response — will continue to operate."

"Second, Industries where onsite operations will have to cease for the next six weeks including retail, some manufacturing and administration. These businesses will all need to close by 11:59pm Wednesday 5 August, unless they have specific circumstances that mean they need longer to shutdown safely."

"The third and final list is made up of industries that are permitted to operate — but under significantly different conditions."

"For those businesses that suffer significant losses or need to close as a result of the current restrictions, we will provide support through our expanded Business Support Fund," he added.

Businesses in regional Victoria can apply for a $5,000 grant while those in Melbourne and Mitchell Shire can apply for up to $10,000 in recognition of spending longer under restrictions.

Under the recent Stage 3 restrictions it was announced real estate inspections will be by appointment only and auctions will be conducted remotely.