New builds in Geraldton explode under government stimulus grants

Local builders are preparing for a building bonanza in 2021 as government stimulus grants have led to an explosion of new homes about to be built — injecting millions of dollars into the local industry. According to City of Greater Geraldton monthly building statistics, only three new dwellings were approved by the council in November 2019, with an estimated value of $614,429. This year, more than five times that amount — 17 new dwellings — were approved in the same period, worth an estimated $5.85 million. Not only were more projects approved, they were also bigger. The estimated average build cost rose by just under $140,000, from $204,809 to $344, 402. McAullay Builders co-owner Manny McAullay said business had exploded and over the next 12 months he expected to lay concrete slabs in the double digits. “We won’t be taking on any smaller jobs. It’s all new builds,” he said. Mr McAullay said the State and Federal Governments’ stimulus packages were behind the boom. He said he started preparing his trades for a big year as soon as he heard the news, telling them to “put a couple more people on”. The $20,000 State Building Bonus, for new builds, launched in June, was extended in October to give builders and landowners more time to get paperwork approved and lay their slabs. Consumers have also been eligible for $15,000 and $25,000 Federal HomeBuilder grants for new builds, off-the-plan homes, and substantial renovations. Premier Mark McGowan said: “This extension of the construction period will allow that work to continue. Creating a pipeline of construction work will continue all the way through to 2022, providing certain-ty to the whole industry.” As a result of all the activity in the market, Mr McAullay said build times would likely be a little longer than usual. But he said he and his brothers — co-owners of the business — were being careful not to bite off more than they could chew. “We don’t want to substitute quality for quantity,” he said. “We can’t fit everyone in and some people might just have to miss out ... It’s not just us — every builder in town is chocked.” Master Builders Mid West regional manager Paul Kerr said he was delighted to see the State Building Bonus grant extended, which would be great news for builders and their clients. The MBA is calling on the Federal Government to adopt a similar extension for its stimulus grant.