Builders warn of "catastrophic economic ramifications" if the harshest pandemic restrictions the industry has faced continue.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
North East building sites have been affected by this week's five-day Victorian lockdown in a way not experienced last year.
Master Builders Victoria chief executive Rebecca Casson said the situation was "incredibly disappointing".
"Especially given our sector's very strong safety record and particularly the border areas who have done such a great job of adapting to new safety measures among so many changes to border crossings," she said.
"We know that builders in Albury-Wodonga and the whole border region are very busy at the moment, and a long-term lockdown could ruin the economic recovery that our industry has led."
Ms Casson said the only worksites able to continue related to critical infrastructure projects, with exceptions also made for emergency housing repairs.
"For the first time, our wider industry will be almost completely stopped," she said.
"It's a step beyond the stage four restrictions we endured through much of 2020."
IN OTHER NEWS:
Several Border building companies contacted by The Border Mail confirmed work had halted on their Victorian sites, but NSW projects continued.
Builders have been ringing the Master Builders Albury-Wodonga office to clarify the rules.
NSW builders have been advised not to travel into Victoria to work during the lockdown.
It includes "essential infrastructure and essential services that are required to maintain or protect human health, safety and wellbeing (whether provided by a public or private undertaking), and including construction, maintenance and repair of such infrastructure or critical repairs to any premises where required for emergency or safety".
Ms Casson said her group had asked the government about financial assistance for businesses for the days of work missed.
"If this lock down was to go on any longer than five days, there would be catastrophic economic ramifications across Victoria," she said.
"We are urging everyone in our industry to follow the rules over the coming days so we are best placed to open back up on Thursday.
"However, there are still many questions that remain unanswered for border residents.
"This makes it very hard for people in our industry who are trying to do their bit to keep our communities safe and keep our economy going."