Local Government Victoria has issued a bulletin calling for widespread cooperation among local councils to consider extending operating hours on construction worksites in their municipality during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

This follows Master Builders Victoria’s call for expanded hours of operation from the City of Melbourne, who responded by accommodating more flexible operating hours on a temporary basis for commercial, large residential and mixed-use development construction work.

The bulletin cites the example set by the City of Melbourne, noting a rapid approval process to help keep projects moving forward, as well as a summary of revised hours of operation: 

• Weekdays: 6am to 8pm (and up to 10pm for internal fit out works that are not externally audible, such as plastering, painting)
• Saturdays: 7am 5pm (and up to 10pm for internal fit out works that are not externally audible, such as plastering, painting.)
• Sundays: 10am until 4pm for limited activities related to crane works that are unable to be completed during standard hours.

“The building and construction industry is having to adapt to a rapidly changing environment and, given this unprecedented situation, we are very pleased that the City of Melbourne has stepped up to be more flexible,” Rebecca Casson, CEO of Master Builders Victoria said.

“We sincerely appreciate the spirit of cooperation being demonstrated by Local Government Victoria,” Ms Casson said.

Master Builders Victoria has also written to the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) to request similar cooperation.