Industry resilience

INDUSTRY AN ESSENTIAL

THE ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE SECTOR CONTINUES TO EXPERIENCE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DISRUPTIONS AS A RESULT OF COVID-19, BUT IS WORKING WITH GOVERNMENTS TO ENSURE ROADWORKS CONTINUE TO PROVIDE SAFE ACCESS TO OUR COMMUNITIES. AAPA’S CARLOS RIAL EXPLAINS. A s the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic become evident worldwide, the immutable message remains: if you can stay home, you must stay home.

While the infinite messaging of practicing social distancing is essential to “flattening the curve”, essential services like road maintenance and construction are not disappearing.

Supporting the continuation of this vital sector will ensure access for our communities is maintained during and post the pandemic.

Equally, minimising supply chain disruptions so drivers can deliver the goods and services we depend on is another consideration.

To that end, road construction businesses are currently in the throes of producing business continuity plans to navigate global changes in trade and economics.

While road construction is continuing across the country, the effects of the corona virus risk disrupting supply chains and threatening the health and safety of workers. This risk however is being managed through responsible actions from industry to maintain social distancing and good hygiene practices.

The flexible pavements industry is a major contributor to the Australian economy and has the capacity to support new jobs and stimulate the recovery effort.

While the sector is undoubtedly facing social and economic challenges, in the seed of every challenge comes opportunity.

The Federal Government remains committed to maintaining the existing infrastructure pipeline and state governments are also promising to prioritise and fast track infrastructure projects, meaning new opportunities for the sector may arise in the coming months.

Carlos Rial, Australian Asphalt Pavement Association CEO, says the association’s main concern lies with the health and wellbeing of its members and the broader community.

With most existing road maintenance and construction projects continuing to operate, keeping thousands in jobs, safety measures are being adopted to restrict the spread of COVID-19, keeping and creating safe jobs and critical community road access.

To keep the essential service of roadworks running, Mr. Rial notes works are being undertaken in a safe manner, with social distancing and hygiene practices implemented.

AAPA’s position on-site safety and social distancing is consistent with advice by SafeWork Australia. Looking ahead, Mr. Rial is confident existing government spend on infrastructure and maintenance will remain.

“Investment in maintaining vital infrastructure across the country is essential to underpin the economy and social wellbeing of our communities,” Mr. Rial says.

While he acknowledges the economy will take a hit in the short term and many businesses will be affected, he sees the roads sector supply chain partners as essential. He says without them, we cannot maintain safe road access in the field.

Mr. Rial has been in talks with government bodies from across Australia and all have confirmed roads and associated roadworks are an essential service. “Under many of the Essential Services Acts across the country it can be interpreted that roads and associated roadworks activities support the essential functions needed during emergent conditions,” he says.

As an essential service, Mr. Rial says roadworks that are delivered safely in line with government advice to restrict the spread of COVID-19, should and must continue to be funded. The road construction sector has been proactive in maintaining social distancing measures on-site.

In a letter written to the Deputy PM, AAPA CEO Carlos Rial outlined how industry was ready to create jobs if a rapid maintenance stimulus package is developed to address a backlog of works.

“We cannot have communities isolated from loss of road access and to maintain the crews that provide this service, roadworks must remain funded,” he says.

For example the Victorian Essential Services Act of 1958 declares transport as an essential service alongside any service specified by order of the Governor in Council.

The NSW Essential Services Act of 1998 also states that the public transportation of persons of freight, including the provision of rail infrastructure for those purposes is an essential service. Alongside this the act classes fire fighting, public health and ambulance services as essential, and these all use road transportation.

AAPA is continuing to approach all state and territory governments, to continue to recognise roadworks as an essential service under these acts.

Mr. Rial says roads are the nation’s arteries and the upkeep of the road network allows for the transportation of freight, access for other essential services and create safe jobs.

The Infrastructure Australia Report of August 2019 highlighted a need for the Federal Government to fund evergrowing road maintenance backlogs across the nation.

“With a maintenance backlog increasing across the country our roads are not in the best condition and are highly susceptible to damage. Now, when jobs are needed, this is the time for road maintenance funding which can hit the ground immediately. Maintenance funding can be delivered immediately, without any red tape” Mr. Rial says.

In a letter written to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Mr. Rial outlined how industry is meeting the challenge to restrict the transfer of COVID-19, and is ready to create jobs if a rapid maintenance stimulus package is created to address the backlog of works.

The letter highlights that investing in transport maintenance will immediately help underpin the economy, with the governments spend hitting the ground without the lag and red tape typically associated with capital projects.

Mr. Rial points out in the letter that every dollar spent in maintenance creates immediate jobs where people can be rapidly repurposed across multiple sectors. This investment will also ensure communities remain safely connected to essential services during, and after, this time of need. Most state governments have flagged their intentions to continue to fund the infrastructure sector. The Deputy Prime Minister has also said in a statement that vital infrastructure projects would go ahead despite the COVID-19 pandemic because of their long-term value to regional communities.

South Australia has fast tracked $120 million worth of infrastructure projects including $52 million for targeted regional road network repair, $35 million to rehabilitate and resurface the South Eastern Freeway and $15 million for Heysen Tunnel refits and safety upgrades.

The NSW Government put out a statement in March stating it was committed to continue the delivery of its vital infrastructure program.

NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrotte said with many sectors now facing unprecedented challenges, the record infrastructure pipeline will continue to sustain tens of thousands of jobs over the coming months.

“It will also continue to have critical downstream economic benefits, driving demand for materials and equipment from local and national manufacturers, and for goods and services in supporting sectors. The continuation of this economic contribution will be a lifeline for many in the months ahead,” Mr. Perrotte said.

“This is a time for the government and industry to work together to sustain our state and nation during this difficult time,” he said.

Mark Bailey Queensland Transport and Main Roads, in an interview with the Courier Mail, said it has never been more important to ensure the government keeps Queenslanders employed, and to explore opportunities to put more people to work on our roads and transport network.

“We are now actively considering all options, including fast-tracking projects, increasing investment, and focusing on projects with a higher jobs-to-dollar ratio,” he said.

While the road infrastructure sector is well poised as a key contributor to the rebuilding of the economy, Mr. Rial says it is essential all works remain safe.

“I trust all AAPA members are working with their staff to ensure we keep Australia running but our people’s health is maintained,” he says.

“COVID-19 is highly contagious. I am confident our industry will continue to implement best practice as defined by health authorities, to ensure our essential service can continue to be safely delivered for the community and also prevent the spread of COVID-19.”

With states now closing individual borders, AAPA is working with all levels of government to ensure crews that work over boundaries can continue, including material supply and works.