Construction sector set to lose billions in ‘catastrophic’ shutdown We’re sorry, this service is currently unavailable. Please try again later. Dismiss Normal text size Advertisement Major developers and peak building industry bodies have slammed the NSW government’s decision to put the brakes on construction work, labelling it an over-reach that will cost the economy billions of dollars and lead to substantial job losses. Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced on Saturday that construction would be paused for two weeks, in a move to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Industry representatives met with the NSW government on Monday afternoon as part of their daily talks to make the case for a staged reopening over the next fortnight. However, state representatives signalled they wanted a uniform reopening.