ALAND chief reacts to construction industry lockdown in Sydney

WESTERN SYDNEY development and construction company ALAND chief executive George Tadrosse has hit out at the clumsiness of the current Sydney lockdowns and the devastating impact it is having on his industry and the families it employs.

"As a prominent Western Sydney developer, I feel it is our duty to highlight the devastating effects this shutdown will cause to so many families and businesses ALAND proudly works with them every day," Mr Tadrosse said.

"The lack of consultation and disproportionate restrictions placed on the affected LGAs (compared with earlier exposure events on the Northern Beaches and Eastern Suburbs) needs to be called out and immediately reconsidered to determine a feasible, fair and sustainable solution.  

"ALAND currently has approximately $925 million in real estate under construction across LGAs impacted by the current construction lockdown, including; Blacktown, Liverpool, Campbelltown and Parramatta LGAs," he said. "This equates to roughly 1450 new dwellings across five major construction sites -- of which, approximately 30 percent of the developments have fully drawn finance facilities and are awaiting occupation certificates.

"Every year, both directly and indirectly, ALAND is responsible for billions of dollars of contributions into the economy of Greater Western Sydney.

"The Premier’s decision will mean that thousands of individuals including tradespeople, project managers and suppliers to our major construction sites across Western Sydney will not be able to return to work, creating ongoing uncertainty for them, and their households. ALAND alone employs 145 direct staff and over 1000 subcontractors on any given day.

"ALAND, like so many other businesses working within the construction industry, have already adapted their construction sites and Work Health Safety plans to accommodate additional COVID-19 precautions. We are confident with ongoing consultation we can continue to operate safely within affected LGAs and urge the government to allow all construction to resume across all of NSW," Mr Tadrosse said.

"We need the government to provide clear answers, conscious decision making and a clear pathway for families and businesses to support economic stability and eventual recovery through these challenging times."

ALAND’s current Sydney-based developments include Schofield Gardens, Schofields; The Hoxton, Liverpool; Paramount on Parkes, Parramatta; and Costello, Edmondson Park.

 

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