McHugh Steel submits application for new Bundaberg factory

A major factory which would make a massive dent in the building supply shortage impacting construction projects across Australia has been proposed for Bundaberg. See the designs.

A proposed factory development would go some way to addressing a shortfall in building supplies seriously impacting many construction projects across Australia. See the designs.Â

Steel manufacturer McHugh Steel hopes to expand its operations once a development application for a new factory gets the council green light.

A material change of use application was recently lodged with Bundaberg Regional Council on behalf of McHugh Steel proposing a new factory be built on Eva St and Enid Ethel Drive.

The new facility would allow the company to fabricate steel house frames and roof trusses for the home building industry.

This would be a new avenue for the company, which has focused on manufacturing steel sheds and buildings.

The development is proposed to be 5594 sqm in size and would include a two-storey office space.

“This proposal stems from the recognition of a market opportunity brought on by Covid related material shortages and lack of availability of imports,” the proposal says.

“The factory would service the domestic housing market, project home builders, and the commercial and industrial market.

“When operational it is proposed to manufacture approximately 15 house frames per week, amounting to approximately 3800 tonnes of product per annum.”

The site for the facility would encompass 12 lots on Eva St and Enid Ethel Drive at Kensington, with the proposed project adding to the many pegged for the area.

“It is intended that such facility be purpose built and utilise specialised production machinery so as to provide a complete service from design, to final fabrication all within the Enid Ethel Drive works,” the application states.

The new facility would allow the company to enable the fabrication of steel house frames and roof trusses for the home building industry.

“This would be a major new industry for the Bundaberg region and a major employer.

“Operational activities include drafting, detailing, and computer input to machines that roll-form framing which is then assembled manually and mechanically into frames and trusses.

“These are taken, boxed and bound in preparation for loading onto transport and distributed.”

The development is proposed to be 5594 sqm in size and would include a two-storey office space.

“Housed within the building would be five steel framing machines, producing steel frames and trusses for up to 15 houses per week. We estimate the output of steel production for 12 months would be in the order of 3800 tonnes for annum,” the document says.

“The building (fabrication works) would also accommodate an assembly line of 40 producing tables where frames and trusses are screwed together by a workforce of 20.

“Approximately 1200 tonnes of steel stock will be stored for use within the building.”

Originally published as McHugh Steel submits application for new Bundaberg factory