The Housing Industry Association (HIA) and the many thousands of builders and tradies who work and live either side of the densely populated NSW/QLD border can now breathe a sigh of relief after the Queensland Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk announced she will start relaxing the border restrictions. 

“Builders can now resume work and deliver the new homes and renovations critical to both state’s economies,” said Toni Bull, Executive Director HIA – Gold Coast/Northern Rivers.  

Toni Bull HIA

Toni Bull, Executive Director HIA – Gold Coast/Northern Rivers. Photo: HIA

“When border closures started at 1am on 8 August there was little notice provided to builders and tradespeople.

"The housing industry was given no time to prepare properly for what was a major logistical blow to normal business movements.

"There was a clear underestimation of how mobile the home building industry is and how many businesses would be impacted.  

At a Glance:

• NSW / QLD border restrictions to come into effect October 1, 2020
• 'Border Bubble' expansion will lift the burden for builders and tradies
• Much needed economic activity will increase for the building sector

“The Queensland Governments announcement today, that they will open the borders to the areas of NSW bordering on Queensland is welcomed by HIA, as the burden the closures were having on our members and their customers was becoming unbearable. 

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“The complicated and inconsistent rules that previously governed who could work over the NSW/QLD border was untenable and needed to be sorted or done away with. 

“There was also difficulty in moving building materials and supplies, on top of the movement of labour, forcing some projects to come to a halt meaning staff were facing the threat of being laid off, thankfully mass layoffs may be averted due to this announcement.  

“With the Gold Coast region in particular feeling the pain of losing jobs in tourism, ensuring home  building can continue in a sensible and managed way will help to ensure critical jobs and economic  activity for the region is maintained, HIA is glad the Queensland government has recognised the importance of the sector and has chosen to open the borders.” 

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