A PETITION that’s gathered more than 5500 signatures in two days is calling on the ACT government to safely re-open the construction industry for small-scale projects. 

The petition comes after ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr, on Friday (August 27), announced that the construction industry would open for large scale projects and civil construction on September 3, following a final safety check from the ACT chief health officer.

Backed by key stakeholders in the industry including the ACT branch of the Master Builders, Master Plumbers ACT, Housing Industry Association (HIA), the Australian Institute of Architects and the National Electrical and Communications Association, the petition states that small-scale construction can operate safely and with appropriate covid-safe protocols in place.

Led by Master Builders ACT, the organisation said that allowing government, large-scale and civil construction to commence on Friday is unfair and will put the livelihoods of many small businesses at risk.

“Delaying the re-opening of small-scale projects will leave clients and purchasers in limbo, with many facing homelessness or requiring expensive temporary accommodation because of the delay to residential projects,” the organisation said.

In a statement to media, HIA said ignoring residential building will be a detriment to many thousands of small businesses in the territory.

HIA said it fundamentally rejects this approach, and argued that detached housing construction and renovations have operated safely across the nation and responded quickly to the risk of covid last year.

“We don’t accept the characterisation by the chief minister that the current approach is based on risk, as residential sites have proved their capacity to operate safely throughout the pandemic,” said the HIA in its statement.

“It can’t be justified that one sector is ‘safer’ than another, and should therefore be given preferential treatment to reopen. Home owners and home builders need certainty now about when they can get back on site.”