Michael Ferguson,Minister for Infrastructure and Transport
Elise Archer,Minister for Building and Construction
The Tasmanian Liberal Government is continuing to back industry and today we convened a Civil, Commercial and Residential Construction Industry Forum of more than 30 peak bodies and other key stakeholders to engage on relevant COVID-19 matters.
While there has been tremendous growth in these crucial sectors over recent years, COVID-19 is providing some longer term uncertainty for businesses, contractors and employees.
Representatives from residential and commercial construction, along with civil contracting and many other allied sectors such as plumbers, electricians, painters, architects, landscape architects and building surveyors joined the Industry Forum.
Each sector has been affected by COVID-19 and all have been working with purpose to ensure their businesses and workplaces are compliant with social distancing and increased hygiene requirements.
While many indicated work is continuing across their sectors, there was a general observation by industry representatives that a number of private sector projects have been delayed or even cancelled in the medium term.
The Government has already announced a number of stimulus measures, including bringing forward public infrastructure funding to help support these sectors, but we fully understand more will need to be done. We will continue to work with industry on ways that we can assist and provide longer term certainty of upcoming public sector projects across government and government-owned businesses.
We are focused on engaging with these sectors by hearing their concerns and suggestions and making sure Tasmania remains a strong place in which to invest and build.
