CSQ predicts shift in Rockhampton region building boom

Construction industry experts have predicted the Rockhampton region’s building boom will become more manageable over 2023/24 and skills like plumbers, concreters, carpenters and joiners will be needed to deliver major projects.

Generic home construction photo.

Construction experts have predicted Rockhampton and Central Queensland’s residential building boom will calm and labour and materials shortages will ease, but different skills will be needed to keep up with major projects.

Construction Skills Queensland met with industry leaders in Rockhampton recently to host a consultation session on the future of the industry, what activity is planned and resources required for the upcoming projects.

The Rockhampton region has sustained record growth in construction training in recent years as 1135 new trade apprentices have enrolled and CSQ has funded 3470 construction courses.

The residential building boom seems to have cooled and a more manageable environment is expected for 2023/24.

According to building approval data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics for November 2022, dwelling approvals have dropped over the quarter by 14.3 per cent.

For Livingstone Shire Council local government area, 20 new dwellings were approved during January 2023 compared to 11 new dwellings for the Rockhampton Regional Council area.

“Rockhampton has worked through a record volume of residential building projects over the last 24 months,” CSQ general manager Sean Cummiskey said.

“We have seen a high-stress, high-pressure building environment for builders and their trades with material and labour shortages delaying projects and adding to costs right across the region.

“The good news is that we are safely moving into a more sustainable period of ongoing activity as the residential pipeline empties but major projects continue to provide plenty of demand for skilled construction workers.”

CSQ predicts the industry will now shift as jobs become in demand for major projects such as the Rockhampton Ring Road and Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area.

These projects however will require different types of skills with roles like concreters, plumbers, carpenters and joiners.

“CSQ is predicting a decade of elevated construction activity and demand for skilled labour, so we are taking a ‘long game’ approach to attracting new participants to the industry, as well as developing and retaining the existing workforce,” Mr Cummiskey said.

“Skills shortages are a real threat to Queensland being able to realise the full potential presented by major works such as renewables projects and the Olympics.

“We are specifically looking to boost the numbers of young people and women considering a career in construction in the coming years as an essential workforce growth strategy.”