“The value of residential construction in Tasmania set a record last financial year, cracking $1 billion for the first time, beating the previous year’s $984 million,” says Master Builders Tasmania Executive Director Matthew Pollock, quoting ABS figures.
Mr Pollock said: “This $1.05 billion in new housing construction delivered 2,740 new houses, enough to home 6,576 people.
“New residential construction accounted for $890 million, with work on alterations and additions worth $160 million.
“Residential construction is crucial to our economic recovery, and is helped by the HomeBuilder grant.
“But the three-month building commencement timeframe for HomeBuilder is unrealistic.
“Frenzied demand for HomeBuilder is overwhelming builders, creating production/process bottlenecks that are disappointing home buyers.
“The grant requires that ‘significant commencement’ has been achieved within three months of planning approval – laying a slab or footings.
“It can easily take more than 90 days from planning approval to commencement.
Pull the Trigger
“We call on the state government to pull the trigger on a clause to extend the building commencement timeframe to six months.
Victoria has done it.
“Extending significant commencement will take pressure off the supply chain, ensuring residential construction continues to play a central role in the economic recovery through 2021.”