MASTER Builders WA has asked for the building and construction industry to be classified as an essential service.
Executive director John Gelavis said doing so was of critical importance as maintaining building and construction activity was one of the most effective ways of injecting money into the local economy during the crisis.
“Our industry is one of the largest providers of jobs in the state and is responsible for around 8.9 per cent of the states workforce,” he said.
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READ NOW“A shutdown on construction sites in WA will have devastating impact on the economy and the well-being of 121,000 Western Australians employed in the sector and 40,000 small businesses.
“Unlike other forms of expenditure, the bulk of the money spent on building is retained and recycled within the WA economy and assists recovery”.
Mr Gelavis said the WA building and construction industry was implementing social distancing and risk mitigation policies.
“Local WA businesses such as builders, subbies, suppliers and manufacturers are the lifeblood of the WA economy and we call on the government to keep them in jobs by keeping our industry building, he said.
Mr Gelavis has previously asked for other measures to support the industry, which would apply should it continue to operate.
These included waiving all stamp duty and a $40,000 First Home Buyers Grant until 30 June 2020 to super-charge the housing sector and immediately deliver a tangible and immediate boost to the building industry and the broader economy.
“It would also help to activate the Federal Government’s $17.6 billion package; builders will be encouraged to take advantage of the expanded instant tax write-off and investment incentives if they are confident that they will have a pipeline of work,” he said.
Mr Gelavis said fast-tracking government spending on social and transport infrastructure spending would also maintain confidence within the industry, keeping projects going, continuing the release of new ones and giving assurance on the pipeline of work.