MASTER Builders Victoria and the Property Council have welcomed the Victorian Government\u2019s announcement to boost building and construction workforce vaccination rates and undertake a four-week compliance and enforcement blitz to ensure worksites are properly implementing COVIDSafe measures.<\/p>\n
The Victorian Government will prioritise 20,000 Pfizer vaccines and an unlimited amount of AstraZeneca vaccines for building and construction workers to supercharge vaccination rates.<\/p>\n
Directed by the Department of Justice and Community Safety, authorised officers and WorkSafe Inspectors are undertaking a four-week enforcement blitz to audit and assess COVIDSafety on worksites and ensure all sites are complying with government regulations.<\/p>\n
It is expected that Victorian Building Authority officers will join the blitz using Public Health and Wellbeing powers.<\/p>\n
Master Builders Victoria CEO Rebecca Casson backed the initiative which had long been requested by industry.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe building and construction industry is critical to jobs and the economy but it\u2019s just as critical that our industry continues to enforce COVIDSafe measures,\u201d Ms Casson said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile the Treasurer acknowledged that our industry has gone above and beyond to stay COVIDSafe and remain open, it was made clear that the risks in managing the Delta variant are now much higher.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe acknowledge that our industry\u2019s obligation to continue to work comes with significant responsibilities.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone employed in the building and construction industry must take this warning very seriously, otherwise our sector\u2019s permitted worker status will be at risk.\u201d<\/p>\n
Victorian executive director of the Property Council of Australia, Danni Hunter, also backed the new building and construction blitz.<\/p>\n
\u201cHigher vaccination rates and thoroughly diligent compliance with all COVID prevention measures will ensure building and construction can continue to make an overwhelmingly positive contribution to Victoria,\u201d Ms Hunter said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s why we\u2019ve supported the Master Builders Victoria campaign to increase vaccination rates and say to the whole building, construction and property sector `Let\u2019s Get the Jab Done\u2019 and get Victoria moving again.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe government has thrown down the gauntlet to the building and construction industry to reach a high threshold of 90 per cent first dose vaccination before it can re-open at 50 per cent capacity.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut we also need a means to measure this vaccination rate so we have a clear roadmap to increase capacity of the industry.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Casson said that prioritising vaccination access for building and construction workers was a vital step in keeping the sector open and safe.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s why we have launched a campaign `Get the Jab Done\u2019 to encourage every building and construction worker who is eligible to get vaccinated and ensure we can continue to protect jobs and deliver important economic activity for Victoria,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Ms Casson said the success of the sector in preventing the spread of COVID-19 until now showed precautions and measures have worked to keep building and construction sites safe and open.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe recent outbreaks underscore the importance of everyone in the building and construction sector continuing to follow COVIDSafe protocols to keep sites safe and operating.\u201d<\/p>\n
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MASTER Builders Victoria and the Property Council have welcomed the Victorian Government\u2019s announcement to boost building and construction workforce vaccination rates and undertake a four-week compliance and enforcement blitz to ensure worksites are properly implementing COVIDSafe measures. The Victorian Government will prioritise 20,000 Pfizer vaccines and an unlimited amount of AstraZeneca vaccines for building and […]<\/p>\n