Small-Scale construction changes
Changes to small-scale construction projects including residential construction have happened. Make sure you read these below. All residential construction should adhere to the ACT Building and Construction Industry COVID-19 Requirements document
Residential Construction - In Occupied Residences
- Where physical residential construction had commenced prior to 5:00pm on Thursday 12 August 2021:
- The density limit is up to five people plus one supervisor on the worksite at any point in time. This includes a maximum of two people undertaking Indoor Work at any point in time; and
- There is to be no interaction between workers and residents within the worksite or premises. If residents are at home while work is being carried out, they must remain at all times in a separate area.
- Where physical residential construction had not already commenced prior to 5:00pm on Thursday 12 August 2021:
- No new indoor work is to commence, unless residents move out of the premises and the site becomes an Unoccupied Residence,
- Emergency repair work is permitted to take place.
- New outdoor work may commence, with a Density Limit of up to five people plus one supervisor outside on the worksite at any point in time.
- There is to be no interaction between workers and residents within the premises.
Residential Construction - In Unoccupied Residences
- For residential construction at an unoccupied residence, employers must ensure the Density Limit is the lesser of:
- 1 person per four square metres across the premises/worksite, OR
- Five people plus one supervisor at any point.
- For example, the maximum number of people permitted on a 16 square metre site is 4 people. The maximum number of people permitted on a 100 square metre site is five people plus one supervisor.
Infection control training
Free nationally accredited training is now available to help local businesses be COVID Safe. This training aims to support businesses to re-open safely, reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 and support consumer confidence. Fully funded training places are available in a selection of infection control Skills Sets for customer-facing workers (including business owners and supervisors). Find out more.
COVID-19 Local Business Commissioner
The COVID-19 Local Business Commissioner has been re-instated in response to the ACT Lockdown. The Commissioner, Mr Brendan Smyth, will connect businesses will relevant areas of government so that business can access information on commercial tenancy measures, including financial assistance where eligible.
Where parties are in dispute over a commercial rent relief arrangement, the Commissioner will make an initial assessment of the nature of the dispute. Where the Commissioner can quickly resolve simple disputes, queries or concerns between parties, he will do so.
Where the matter is more complex, the Commissioner will provide guidance to both parties to assist them to gather the information they will need to conduct formal good faith negotiations and undertake professional mediation. The Commissioner will refer more complex matters to the accredited mediation service, on agreement by the parties.
Contact details for the COVID-19 Local Business Commissioner are: Email: LBC@act.gov.au T: (02) 6207 1585
Questions
Please feel free to reach out to President Jane Cassidy or ACT Chapter Councillors. Or Access Canberra via email: ACBusinessTeam@act.gov.au
