Two major hospital upgrades in the Riverina, largely funded by the NSW government, are in danger of being delayed due to a Victorian-based company being unable to send its workers across the border under rules created by the state's health department.
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Exasperated owners of a Bundalong scaffolding-bricklaying business, Jason and Amy Burns, have been sub-contracted to work on the $430 million Wagga hospital redevelopment and the $50 million Tumut hospital upgrade.
But they cannot access permits for their employees to work on the projects following the tightening of border closure rules a fortnight ago.
"We've got highly-skilled tradesmen who have been working for us for 12 years doing tier one projects for all that time, sitting at home this week," Mrs Burns said.
"They can't get to the work sites because Wagga is outside the bubble and vice-a-versa our boys who live at Mulwala, Corowa and Howlong can't get to any of our jobs in Victoria.
"They are all full-time workers and get moved around depending on what stage the various projects are up to.
"These jobs are tendered for months and months in advance.
"We are now screaming out for workers in Wagga and Tumut."
The company was involved in the Shepparton hospital upgrade and worked around the clock in response to pressure from the Victorian government to complete the job to assist in the early fight against COVID-19.
It is now feeling the same heat from those in charge of the two Riverina hospital projects.
"These are jobs with deadlines and obligations to complete within a certain time," Mrs Burns said.
"We are now getting the hurry-up from (head contractors) and we want to protect the great reputation we've got for finishing jobs on time.
"It's not like we are going off to build a two-storey house for someone who can wait."
Mrs Burns said the "one size fits all" solution from the state government was flawed.
"If our workers were travelling from a hotspot in Melbourne you would understand, but they're not," she said.
"We've got no cases and the areas they need to travel to have no cases."
Member for Wagga Dr Joe McGirr was shocked to learn of the situation.
"I am very concerned about this issue and we have been in touch with Jason from Oasis Scaffolding and Bricklaying, so I can take the Burns's concerns to the government," he said.
"I have also contacted the Murrumbidgee Local Health District to ask about any possible impacts on the redevelopment projects at Wagga and Tumut hospitals."