Work could grind to a halt – suppliers
The building industry is struggling to get supplies out of Auckland and could be in pain if Auckland remains in lockdown for more than another two weeks, a construction industry leader says.
The Building Industry Federation, which represents building material suppliers, says the Government has decided not to issue exemptions to allow most building materials past Auckland’s border.
This has raised fears that construction sites coming out of level 4 lockdown in the rest of the country might grind to a halt if they can’t get necessary materials like steel mesh or gib board.
Dean Kimpton, chairman of the Construction Sector Accord, confirmed the industry had raised the issue, but the Government had decided to put public health first.
Exemptions were being made for materials for projects that were of national significance.
‘‘Yes there is concern. The issue is that Auckland is a point of entry for imports and it’s a manufacturing centre for a number of construction materials, particularly the residential sector.
‘‘If Auckland remains at alert level 4 for longer than another two weeks, than yes, I think it will become increasingly critical.’’
Building materials are already in short supply due to postpandemic shipping disruptions.
Kimpton said work was being done to see where materials stockpiled around the country lay.
‘‘We don’t quite have a feel for what the stockpile or material supply is outside Auckland at this stage. Definitely, there’s a number of parties thinking that through.’’
Julien Leys, chief executive of the Building Industry Federation, said the Government had made assurances that it was working with the accord and would release products if necessary.
But he was worried the issue was far more serious than was being portrayed. Many of New Zealand’s manufacturers of steel mesh and other key building products were based in Auckland.
‘‘The direct consequence is that a lot of construction work that is allowed under alert level 3 may not proceed,’’ he said.
‘‘Auckland is a point of entry for imports and it’s a manufacturing centre for a number of construction materials.’’ Dean Kimpton
Construction Sector Accord chairman