27 May 2020
Your latest regular update. We'll continue to bring you the information you need, as it's available. Today we'll talk about our calls for a $40,000 new home owners' grant and the extensive coverage our campaign has received, our brand new COVID-19 cleaning guide, and latest commentary from CSQ and their view on where stimulus should be spent...
This COVID-19 member update is unlocked and free to all in the interests of the building and construction industry. Did you know members have exclusive access to information and our team of experts who are on hand to assist in a range of ways? Need more specific COVID-19 advice relating to contracts, WHS, employment conditions or the relief measures? Members can contact us or learn how to join so you can speak with our experts and get free advice.
*Due to the changing nature of COVID-19, this information may no longer be correct. Please check state and federal government information for up-to-date guidance.
Why a lifeline for new homes is so important
We've ramped up our calls for a $40K new homeowners' grant, with our latest campaign hitting the media on Monday, 25 May.
The need for action to deliver a much-needed lifeline and supercharge the state’s stalling economy has never been more dire.
The latest report from Master Builders Australia, commissioned by Ernst & Young, supports Master Builders Queensland’s calls for swift and urgent stimulus measures to counter the looming crisis faced by the building industry.
The report reinforces the major benefits a new homeowners’ grant would create as part of the broader package of stimulus.
We anticipate more than 2,270 new homes to be built, which would provide vital support for almost 200 construction businesses, many of them small businesses.
The grant alone could create almost 12,000 jobs (3,000 direct and almost 9,000 indirect) and a boost of more than $3 billion to the Queensland economy.
We are pleased Annastacia Palaszczuk MP is open to the idea, but to minimise delays and reduce uncertainty for homeowners, we need a decision ASAP.
Extensive coverage
Our campaign has received some fantastic media coverage, with CEO Grant Galvin interviewed by media outlets across the state.
The Courier-Mail, 7NEWS Brisbane, 9 News Queensland , 10 News Queensland and ABC News along with many others picked up our story and supported our calls for a $40,000 new homeowners' grant to boost residential construction.
COVID Q&A: New cleaning guide & FAQs
Do I need to disinfect every surface?
No, you only need to clean surfaces that are touched.
Are there cleaning methods I shouldn’t use?
Yes, avoid cleaning methods that may disperse the virus or create droplets, such as using pressurised air, dry cloth and dusters.
In response to the many questions we are receiving about cleaning, we’ve prepared a new COVID-19 cleaning guide based on Safe Work Australia guidelines.
Implementing appropriate cleaning and disinfecting measures for your workplace is a key way to protect your workers and others from the risk of exposure to COVID-19.
Use this handy guide to understand the difference between cleaning and disinfecting, what your workers should wear, how often you need to clean and disinfect, and which surfaces to target and prioritise; as well as answer the most common cleaning and disinfecting FAQs.
Bridges or Buildings?
Our latest campaign for stimulus has also called on the Queensland Government to address what has been an ongoing imbalance of expenditure between civil projects and public buildings – with expenditure traditionally weighted towards civil.
In his latest commentary, Construction Skills Queensland's Robert Sobyra explores this issue further and talks through the type of projects that government will invest in and whether the stimulus will work.
It's an interesting and thought provoking read that explores which areas of the building sector are most vulnerable, why the current round of stimulus is 'the wrong way around' and the risks associated with infrastructure stimulus.
Resources
We're trying to make it easier with loads of resources available:
- Health Disclosure Form (clients) – use this when visiting clients and private premises
- Health Disclosure Form (visitors) – use this form for visitors coming to your site or business
- Notice to supply to clients – use this to confirm for clients you are authorised to attend
- Notice to clients (product selections) – provide this notice to your clients to confirm that they are required to visit suppliers to make product selections as per their building contract
- COVID-19 site sign – use this to educate your workers on the guidelines
- COVID-19 site sign (public) – use this to reinforce to the public and workers on the measures you are taking
- Keep your distance checklist – use this to ensure you are following all the recommendations
- COVID-19 entry authorisation sign – use this for sites without constant supervision of visitors entering at the gate. Visitors can use this as a health self-assessment
- Digital banner (PDF or JPEG) – use this banner in your advertising and newsletters to demonstrate to customers and stakeholders that you are following the COVID-19 rules.
- Display Village Visitors Notice – use this notice in your display home to notify visitors of relevant rules and measures you've implemented.
- COVID-19 cleaning guide & FAQs – use this cleaning guide to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in your workplace.
We're here for you
We've got the information you need on:
- Contractual information for site shutdown or program delays
- How to deal contractually with a product delay
- Safety & hygiene practices
- Employment conditions
- Common employment FAQs
- Relief and stimulus packages
- Mental health and well-being
Help and advice
As usual, our staff are here to help. Whether you've got a question about protecting your business contractually, an employment or a health and safety question, our specialists are here and available to talk you through the options - get in touch.
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