Attorney Generals Response to Essential Services Clarification

Recently, Strata Community Association (Qld) wrote to Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath raising several specific body corporate problems that have arisen due to the COVID-19 restrictions. We have subsequently written to the Department of Housing, who oversee the QLD Building and Construction Commission, to clarify how the Government’s Directions impact the work of tradespeople at schemes.

Read on to learn about the response received and the interpretation of SCA (Qld).

It is our understanding from the AG’s correspondence that caretakers are able to work at a scheme if they comply with social distancing measures. The current Direction in place in Queensland does not define essential services and only lists non-essential services. Therefore, there is uncertainty around whether only one worker (whether that be a caretaker or a tradesperson) is allowed in a residential dwelling (due to the 2 people restriction), and we sought clarification as to any distinction between emergency and general renovation works. We also queried certain legal requirements in regards to payments of contractors and will inform members as soon as we have answers to these questions. In light of the vague response, we are now pressing the query again in case a full lock down as currently the case in NZ will be put in place at some point.

This information was first published by Strata Community Association (QLD) on 6 April 2020.