Master Builders Victoria (MBV) can confirm that there have been some cases of COVID-19 emerge in Victoria’s building and construction industry. 

Each case is being efficiently managed, consistent with the sector’s COVID-19 Industry Guidelines that were implemented at the start of the pandemic.

MBV CEO Rebecca Casson said a construction project in Box Hill has seen a significant outbreak, where at present, 20 trade sub-contractors have tested positive.

The Panorama construction site on Whitehorse Road has now been listed as a Tier 1 exposure site on August 30 and 31 from 6.30am to 4pm.

Anyone who visited the site on those two days is urged to get tested as a priority.

Ms Casson said there have also been reports of two cases from small scale building projects with no further community transmission as yet.

“The Box Hill site is currently under active outbreak management by the Department of Health to ensure proper deep cleaning of the site,” she said.

“The site has now been closed and the company is co-operating fully with Health officials.”

Ms Casson said the Victorian building and construction industry’s collective and demonstrated commitment to COVIDSafe worksites had kept cases low in the sector.

“So far, the building and construction industry represents just 0.72 per cent of all COVID-19 cases in Victoria, with only a small percentage being on-site transmissions,” she said.

“However, the new Delta variant continues to present challenges.

“Since the Victorian Government’s recent announcements, it has become abundantly clear that the key to recovery is the vaccination of our broad community and, more specifically, Victoria’s 320,000 building and construction workers.”

Ms Casson said MBV is currently working with the Victorian Government to develop the vaccination framework for the industry so that it can, once again, take a lead in delivering a comprehensive response to COVID-19.

She said the building and construction sector was uniquely placed to deliver an industry roll-out of vaccination initiatives.

“As part of our ongoing work with Incolink and others, the agreement with the Commonwealth Government to access COVID-19 vaccinations - specifically for workers in our industry - is vital,” Ms Casson said.

“We will be the first industry in Australia to deliver on-site vaccinations with the aim of delivering a minimum 30,000 by year-end.

“We need to do everything we can to support our workers to get vaccinated, particularly those in our culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

“Despite the devastating impacts of COVID-19, the Victorian building and construction industry continues to show its extraordinary strength and resilience.”