A MOUNT Gambier building company says the industry remains active in the Limestone Coast and is yet to feel the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Social-distancing restrictions have now been in place for several weeks and many businesses across the region are feeling the pinch.
However, Dycer Constructions has avoided any major disruptions to its daily operations and company director Shane Dycer remains thankful the industry can proceed as per normal in unprecedented times.
The region’s construction industry has enjoyed a strong six to 12-month period, according to Mr Dycer, keeping tradespeople in work and busy, despite the current state of the economy.
“We do a majority of commercial construction, but we also do residential and both sectors are still really busy,” he said.
“We probably cannot get enough guys to do the work to be honest, the sub-contractors are flat out and we are still pricing work for other projects, which is fantastic.”
However, Mr Dycer said the next three months would be an interesting time as building projects come to an end.
“At this point all we can be is really positive and speaking to other people within the industry, everyone is still of the same opinion that hopefully in a couple of months time the work is still there,” he said.
“With people not working and industries shutting down it is obviously putting a strain on things, but the construction industry have not really seen that impact yet.”
He said at this stage there were a number of regional projects on the horizon, provided they get given the go-ahead.
“There are projects coming, people have been earmarked for work and we have priced things, but until they get the final tick, that’s the concern for everybody,” he said.
“Because if there is a downturn, then maybe some of these jobs – even though you know they will happen at some point – might not happen this year.”
While admitting there could be difficult times ahead, Mr Dycer hoped everyone would remain positive.
“I’m just hoping we can all get through this and in the coming months, with government subsidies coming in and people getting back to work, that should stimulate things,” he said.
“With the local guys it all stays here, so if we are busy and our sub-contractors are busy, then the local suppliers are busy and everyone gets their piece of the pie.”
In terms of the impact it has had on the everyday work-life of tradespeople, he said a few changes had to be made, but it was largely business as usual.
“We have staggered lunch breaks and smoko breaks in the morning because you can only have a certain amount of people in the crib rooms,” he said.
“It’s the same rules for everyone and we’re just trying to make sure we do our bit by following all our procedures and the guys have been really good with that.
“Everyone in the construction bubble is aware they have to do the right thing because if we start having breakouts they will shut sites down as well.”
