HomeBuilder: Wyndham revealed as nation’s HomeBuilder capital

More than $50m in federal funds will help western suburbs families build a home. These are our hot spots.

Melbourne’s outer west is the nation’s HomeBuilder grants capital.

More than $50m in federal cash is expected to be spent helping build houses for Wyndham families after it was revealed as the nation’s HomeBuilder capital.

New State Revenue Office figures tracking HomeBuilder applications across Melbourne’s municipalities to January 31 show the western suburbs growth area is poised to receive $50.9m in $15,000 and $25,000 grants, more than any other in the country.

Other Melbourne council areas tapping the government credit card are Melton, earmarked to collect $42.755m, Casey, $38.695m, Hume, $35.15m, and Whittlesea, $26.445m.

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Regionally, Greater Geelong’s builders and tradies will be in high demand with grants worth $33.52m expected to head to the region’s new housing construction, and an additional $7.17m on the cards for renovations.

Greater Bendigo could see $20.025m in federal funds for new builds, Ballarat, $17.67m, and Baw Baw Shire, $10.82m.

Master Builders Victoria chief executive Rebecca Casson said the grants would also provide a “crucial social benefit” as they created opportunities for young apprentices in growth corridors like Wyndham.

Western suburbs apprentices could benefit substantially from the program.

“This activity, and the flow-on effects, are what our industry needs to lead Victoria’s economic recovery and build a future-ready state,” Ms Casson said.

Volume home builder Burbank Group managing director Jarrod Sanfilippo said areas with the most HomeBuilder applications would see benefits “for years to come” as “businesses of all sizes benefit from the construction boom”.

HOMEBUILDER NEW BUILD HOTSPOTS

Wyndham – 2128 applications ($50.9m)

Melton – 1769 applications ($42.755m)

Casey – 1619 applications ($38.695m)

Hume – 1462 applications ($35.15m)

Greater Geelong – 1394 applications ($33.52m)

Whittlesea – 1101 applications ($26.445m)

Greater Bendigo – 825 applications ($20.025m)

Ballarat – 734 applications ($17.67m)

Cardinia – 576 applications ($13.96m)

Baw Baw – 446 applications ($10.82m)

Source: State Revenue Office Victoria

However, she advised builders, tradies, suppliers and their customers would need to be patient and understanding as the rush for HomeBuilder created some “short-term supply issues for materials and labour” in hot spot areas.

Raja Saleem, wife Sadah Shahzad and their four children Xainab, 13, Hashir, 12, Sarah, 3, and Muhammed, 1, are among the more than 2000 people to apply for a grant in Wyndham.

The HomeBuilder grants program brought forward their plans by about a year, with construction to start next month on their first home, a four-bedroom house to be built by Burbank in the Jubilee estate.

A render showing the Jubilee estate’s Urban Square precinct.

“We are using the money for our upgrades, we can now get airconditioning and are looking at an alfresco area where the kids can play,” Mr Saleem said.

The figures also show the grants will help fund hundreds of renovations in affluent and suburban areas, with $5.085m in the wings for renos on the Mornington Peninsula, $4.345m for Moreland and $4.4m for Kingston.

HOMEBUILDER RENOVATION HOTSPOTS

Greater Geelong – 296 applications ($7.17m)

Mornington Peninsula – 209 applications ($5.085m)

Moreland – 179 applications ($4.345m)

Kingston – 176 ($4.4m)

Whitehorse – 175 applications ($4.275m)

Darebin – 160 applications ($3.87m)

Knox – 157 applications ($3.795m)

Yarra Ranges – 153 ($3.825m)

Moonee Valley – 153 applications ($3.725m)

Banyule – 151 applications ($3.645m)

Monash – 139 applications ($3.365m)

Glen Eira – 122 applications ($2.95m)

Source: State Revenue Office Victoria

Final figures for the program are unlikely to be confirmed until April; the numbers could rise.

Applications might also be rejected if construction does not commence within six months, or if costs exceed the program’s $750,000 cap for contracts signed last year, or $850,000 for between January 1 and March 31 this year.

Extensive construction is expected to continue across Melbourne for the next 18 months.

Applicants must also not earn more than $120,000 as an individual or $200,000 as a household.

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Originally published as HomeBuilder: Wyndham revealed as nation’s HomeBuilder capital