Covid-19 coronavirus Delta outbreak: Builders are back in action under level 3

The building industry will be back on the tools under level 3 restrictions starting today but it is still a hard road ahead for the embattled industry.

Classic Builders director Peter Cooney said it would be good to get back in action.

"It's back to business for us for the construction side of things, with level 3 protocols."

Cooney said construction would be slower under level 3 because not as many people would be allowed on sites but he felt the mindset towards lockdown was more positive this time around.

"That lockdown wasn't so long was a bonus for us. We went into it a lot wiser, more prepared."

Cooney said the road ahead wasn't going to be easy.

"When things close down nothing gets built, nothing gets done, nothing gets paid.

"It's a perfect storm. We've had a shortage of land supply, housing costs going through the roof, shortage of supply and sub-trades. With Covid on top, it couldn't be worse.

"Everyone has fallen behind. The only thing to do is get back to work."

Classic Builders director Peter Cooney. Photo / File

Phil Macfarlane, from Rotorua's VIP Plumbing and Gas Fitting, said he and his team were ready to get to work.

"They're finding themselves a bit bored at home. So they're keen to get back into it, which is cool."

Macfarlane said while he and his colleagues had completed some emergency work under level 4 lockdown restrictions, things had been slow.

"It is obviously quite tough for us because getting supplies has been very hard. That's been quite tricky and time-consuming.

"Level 3 is going to be hard again and that's simply because of the protocol we have to adhere to from the safety side of things."

Macfarlane said he was doing a lot of work organising work for level 3.

"It takes a lot to understand what we can and can't do and what the boys have to do."

When looking to the future, Macfarlane was both optimistic and realistic.

"I hope it doesn't hurt the business in the long term. There's always something out there for us. In our industry, with the emergency repairs people need, we're fairly safe.

"But between now and Christmas, people won't be spending as much and that could hurt the business."

Rotorua Chamber of Commerce chief executive Bryce Heard. Photo / File

Rotorua Chamber of Commerce chief executive Bryce Heard said there was a lot of pressure on the building and construction industry.

"Building, in particular, is in demand because of the housing shortage. So there's an immense amount of pressure. It's hard getting builders, it's hard getting tradesmen and it's hard to get materials."

According to Stats NZ analysis, just over one in 10 working-age adults employed in the Bay of Plenty worked in the construction industry as their main job in the year to March.

Rotorua MP and National Party spokesman for small businesses Todd McClay said there were 294 businesses registered in Rotorua over the last six months who would not be eligible for the Government's support packages.

Rotorua MP and National Party spokesperson for small businesses Todd McClay. Photo / File

McClay said the number was based on results of an online search of the New Zealand Companies Register for businesses with addresses in Rotorua incorporated between February 17 and August 17, 2021.

"There are many examples of tradies and shopkeepers who face ongoing restrictions to trade while their bills continue to add up," McClay said in a press release on Monday. "Just because a business isn't trading doesn't mean they don't have to pay their rent, rates, insurance and other related costs.

"The Government should make sensible changes to the scheme so that new businesses established before the level 4 lockdown, who meet the criteria of a 30 per cent reduction in turnover, are eligible to apply for assistance from the start of the lockdown restrictions."