HomeBuilder scheme to safeguard jobs in building, construction and other industries

A stimulus program to encourage people to build or renovate homes is not only good news for tradespeople and construction companies, but all industries that supply them, representatives say.

A STIMULUS package to incentivise new home builds and renovations is a lifeline not only for tradies and building firms but also associated industries, representatives say.

The Federal Government’s $680 million HomeBuilder package will provide $25,000 grants for people to put towards building a new home or doing a significant renovation of an existing property.

The addition of a $20,000 boost from the State Government for new home builds means eligible Tasmanians could secure $45,000 in assistance.

Liberal Senator and Assistant Minister for Forestry, Fisheries and Regional Tourism Jonno Duniam said the package was a “game-changer” for the industry and a saviour for jobs.

“We were looking at a drop off of at least 40 per cent across the country in housing starts,’’ he said.

“The timber industry has advised us that they were looking at a 50 per cent decline in demand for their product, for sawn timber, for framing and for trusses and products like that.”

Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries Jonno Duniam, McKay Timber sales manager Glenn Britton and Master Builders Tasmania Executive Director Matthew Pollock. Picture: Zak Simmonds

But Sen Duniam said the scheme would address the predicted slide and safeguard jobs in many areas, including industries like timber.

McKay Timber sales manager Glenn Britton said orders and sales had fallen since the coronavirus lockdown after what had been a busy period for construction.

But he said the stimulus would support more people to build within Tasmania which he hoped would enable the company to maintain its statewide workforce of 115.

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“Hopefully with these packages we’ll be able to keep people fully employed and maintain our full workforce,’’ Mr Britton said.

Master Builders Tasmania executive director Matthew Pollock said the package would go a long way to protecting 20,000 workers and 6000 businesses which make up the building and construction industry in the state.

Mr Pollock said there would have been a shortfall of 700 houses being constructed in the next 12 months if support had not been provided.

For renovations under the scheme, homeowners would need to commit to a $150,000 refurbishment to qualify, which federal Labor MP Julie Collins said was problematic.

Labor MP Julie Collins speaks to the media on Parliament House lawns in Hobart on Monday November 4, 2019.

“There aren’t a lot of Tasmanians who will have $150,000 ready to go for a renovation, but there are a lot that would have benefited from more social and affordable housing,’’ she said.

“Hobart’s housing crisis means vulnerable members of our community won’t have a roof over their head this winter and this announcement from the Federal Government does nothing to help them.

“This was a missed opportunity from the Federal Government to help fix Hobart’s housing crisis.”