News | 20 November

To: CCF Victoria staff, members and stakeholders.

Good afternoon.

We are all waiting for announcements to be made by the Premier this Sunday, on the further easing of COVID-19 restrictions. This is following the 21st straight day of no recorded “positive” COVID-19 cases in Victoria.  As these announcements are made on Sunday, I will provide all CCF members an update of these measures, together with announcements being made in the State Budget next week, that impact on our industry.    

All eyes are now focused on South Australia’s outbreak in Parafield and the closure of the South Australian border.  This is clearly a challenging time for many of you in regional towns on the border, or for businesses that rely on cross border activity.  I will endeavour to keep you abreast of the latest information as announcements are made on this closure and the measures to be adopted for businesses crossing the border, as they are released.

I want to use today’s CEO Update to expand on my recent invitation to participate in Positive Plans – Positive Futures that was featured in my last CEO Update on the 9th November.

This morning I had the opportunity to participate in WorkSafe’s Mental Health Improvement Fund (MHIF) forum.  In engaging with the regulator and other leaders covering a broad cross section businesses, it was alarming to hear the following statistics:

  • 13.3% of current WorkSafe accident claims in the workplace for the last financial year period (2019/20) are metal health claims;
  • It is projected that 33% of new workplace accident claims over the next decade will cover mental health issues;
  • Based on Beyond Blue statistics, today one (1) million people are diagnosed with depression and two (2) million with anxiety;

These are staggering statistics and it is clear, that the impact of mental health injury at work is profound.  It impacts not only on businesses and fellow workers, but on families. 

We have done a fantastic job over the years focusing, managing and reducing the physical harm to people that can be caused in the workplace …. BUT NOW … this must also transcend to preventing psychological harm caused by unresolved personal conflicts in the workplace. 

This will require strength of leadership and a significant cultural change in the workplace.  However, as responsible employers  I know this is a challenge “you are up for” and that “you want to be part of the solution”.  How can CCF help and support you in this regard?

CCF Victoria’s Positive Plans – Positive Future’s is a project designed to support business owners and senior leaders in the civil construction industry to lead the development and implementation of a mental health action plan in their organisation.

With support from WorkWell’s Mental Health Improvement Fund, CCF Victoria is will work with key leaders and senior managers in your business to develop a practical approach to creating a mentally healthy workplace, that is planned and sustainable.

Key topics covered by Positive Plans – Positive Futures include:

  • How to develop a Mental Health Action Plan for your business.
  • Creating Mentally Healthy Workplaces (for Senior Managers).
  • Managing work-related stress and mental health.

Thank you to those civil contractors who have already expressed interest in our Positive Plans – Positive Futures initiative.  If you are interested in participating and gaining access to a range of events, professional development programs, subject matter experts and an evaluation of the impact and value of your plan, please complete this brief Expression of Interest on the CCF Victoria website, or contact our Project Officer, Adrian Panozzo at Adrian.panozzo@ccfvic.com.au for more details.

Until my next update on Sunday …. keep well – keep safe.

Kind regards

John Kilgour

CEO, CCF Victoria

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