Construction sites shut down across Victoria's locked-down LGAs

The Victorian construction industry has been shut down for two weeks over "widespread non-compliance" in response to the violent protests outside the state's CFMEU headquarters in Melbourne.

Due to violent protests, the Victorian Government has shut down all construction sites across 'locked down' local government areas. The demonstrations were held against the government's mandate for construction workers to have had at least one Covid vaccine by 23 September. The shutdown will be in place for two weeks for construction sites in metropolitan Melbourne and the City of Ballarat, City of Greater Geelong, Mitchell Shire and Surf Coast Shire, provided the regional municipalities do not emerge from lockdown sooner. An amnesty will be put in place to ensure a site's safe closure and conduct urgent repairs.

The government is concerned about the risk of transmission and geographic spread.

All sites will need to demonstrate compliance with Chief Health Officer Directions before going back to work, including the need for workers to show evidence to their employer of having had one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine before returning to site on 5 October. From 11.59 pm 23 September, all construction workers require at least their first dose of the vaccine. Before workers return to site, they must comply with this new requirement.

State Treasurer Tim Pallas said "We've been clear: if you don't follow the rules, we won't hesitate to take action – we have seen widespread non-compliance across the industry and that's why we're taking necessary steps to protect every single Victorian."

"We put the industry on notice just a week ago, we have seen appalling behaviour on site and on our streets, and now we're acting decisively and without hesitation."