CQ outperforms state in building and construction

THINGS are looking up for the Central Queensland building and construction industry, after a mix of pressures and successes last year.

THINGS are looking up for the Central Queensland building and construction industry, after a mix of pressures and successes last year.

The Master Builders quarterly survey released this week found that despite a mixed 2012 for CQ, the region had generally performed better than most.

The survey said conditions in the residential and commercial sectors weakened in the December quarter.

However, Affordable Quality Homes director Scott Kilpatrick said there had been an upturn in the market despite last year's volatility.

"Since the election was called three or so weeks ago, the personal home market has come up very strongly," he said.

He said last year was mixed for a number of reasons.

"There's two distinctly different markets, one of which is the personal home market," he said.

"It was very, very quiet ... but because rents are so high because of the lack of housing and the potential projects happening out west, investors from out of town have been doing large scale productions. The majority of the houses built last year were for these investors for the rental market."

The survey identified wage pressures in the region as among the highest in the state, despite a slight drop in the December quarter, with 38% of businesses saying they had to reduce their workforce.

But Mr Kilpatrick was still optimistic.

"Things are going to be back to normal by about Easter," he said.

"I'm very confident we're going to have a very busy Christmas."

Capricorn Enterprise chief executive Mary Carroll said the figures were nothing to worry about.

"It's not too concerning to see a slight fluctuation," she said.

"There are some very exciting projects like business relocations and expansions in areas like the Grace

mere industrial precinct and also on the Capricorn Coast.

"We'll have 250 brand new accommodation rooms in the region. That kind of growth in accommodation and the construction sector is actually in reverse of many regions in Queensland.

"The Treasurer (Tim Nicholls) confirmed with me that the growth of the Central Queensland region will be higher than the state in 2014-15."

Originally published as CQ outperforms state in building and construction