Councils across South Australia’s south-east have green-lit building approvals worth millions of dollars in recent months as government incentives hit their mark in boosting local industry.
Key points:
- Almost $17 million in building approvals was approved by south-east SA councils in December
- A Mount Gambier builder says it’s been “chock-a-block”
- He says government incentives are a major factor to the increase
Mount Gambier-based Dycer Constructions has seen a significant increase in demand for jobs off the back of the federal government’s HomeBuilder scheme.
Managing director Shane Dycer said “it’s chock-a-block”.
“I think with the government incentives the building industry has been inundated with people that have tried to get their funding, which is really good,” he said.
Mr Dycer said his company was continuing to receive inquiries about new developments.
“I don’t think people [builders] can take on much more and it needs to be spread out a bit further,” he said.
“Waiting times are going to start getting longer and longer, which is a little bit of a concern for someone who wants to get out of where they are and build a new home.
“Looking at how it is at the moment, on the residential side, most guys are pretty much booked out until the end of this year, the middle of next year.”
Mr Dycer said he had some concerns about the backlog and potential supply issues.
“The only thing that will worry me about it all is a tradesmen shortage in the area,” Mr Dycer said.
He said timelines were being pushed back, with applications that would normally be approved by council within a month now taking “six to eight weeks”.
“A job that might have taken six months, is now like a 9-12 month job, just because everyone has to wait their turn to get their trades.
“If you haven’t got certain products … anything that’s been imported at the moment, or anything that’s a little bit different, you might as well double your wait time.”
Mr Dycer said the construction boom had flow-on effects for the community.
“It’s just provided so many job opportunities and so much turnover in our local area that everyone should benefit,” he said.
“When the government’s schemes are going to roll-out for the schools and the public amenities, sporting clubs and stuff like that, I just think it’s fantastic for our community.
“I think the money being spent in the regions is fantastic. It supports everyone here buying local and building a better community for Mount Gambier and the surrounding districts.”
Councils keeping busy
Five of the region’s councils cumulatively approved 79 development approvals in December, totalling almost $17 million.
Most of the applications have been for new dwellings, garages, pergolas, sheds, and agricultural infrastructure.
The City of Mount Gambier approved 53 applications totalling more than $13 million.
Just over $1 million was approved for six developments in the Tatiara District Council area.
Naracoorte Lucindale council officers approved 12 developments in December, totalling about $824,000.
Just under $1 million for six development applications was approved for the Kingston District Council.
The Wattle Range Council approved just two applications valued at $750,000.
The Grant District Council approved 34 applications in December, but did not disclose their financial values.
The ABC contacted the Robe District Council but did not receive any information on current development approvals.