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Patricia Anne
Area Service Representative
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We have certainly had a memorable first quarter of this year! As you would all be well aware, there have been only a few workable days since Christmas due to wet weather. This situation went from bad to worse on the 15th of February. Mackay experienced its worst floods in recorded history. More than 635mm of rain fell in a few hours. This rainfall and high tides combined to create widespread flooding and extensive damage in most areas. We weren’t alone. Throughout January and February floods caused widespread damage across North Queensland. The reconstruction needed locally as a result of flood damage, has meant even greater pressure on an already over stretched construction industry. An influx of ’preferred builders’ from the south entering our region invited by insurance companies eager to get started on rectification work, has brought a new level of stress and agitation to many local builders. I understand that some of these ‘preferred builders’ are offering local sub-contractors and labourers remuneration increases in excess of 50%! Such a loss of key personnel and the ever increasing costs of building materials may cause some builders to reduce their customary margins, in order to contain the overall cost of a project. My advice is – “don’t sell yourself short” as too many builders in the past have been in trouble for pricing below their costs!
You have professional knowledge and a responsibility to your own business to make a reasonable profit. Such is paramount to the health of you and your family. Members who heeded the warnings from HIA benefited from lessons learnt after similar experiences in other parts of the country. Contractors and Builders seeking advice need only contact HIA. As a number of members would already be aware, amongst the litany of documentation required by the insurance companies to tender for flood repair work, are several documents pertaining to OH & S. As a part of its commitment to improve safety practices in the industry and to satisfy legal requirements, HIA has unveiled a package to assist members with OH&S issues.
The labour shortages, slumping housing affordability, rental and mortgage stress due to increasing interest rates are all relevant issues. In response to HIA’s intensive lobbying, the new Federal Labour government has committed some funding to the housing crisis. They have adopted a number of HIA’s policies and programs aimed at increasing the supply of affordable housing. Home Super Saver Accounts, the National Affordable Rental Scheme and industry led training are specific examples of adopted HIA programs that will assist our industry now and in the future. This is no small feat.
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