Building boom means jobs and apprentices
Confident businesses create major development, says Guy Barnett
OVER the past four years the state’s building and construction industry has experienced a boom, with a massive increase in commercial and private developments, employment in the building and construction industry increasing by 6700 jobs and a record number of cranes in the sky, all under a majority Hodgman Liberal Government.
Our Plan to Build Your Future is happening in a literal sense. The surge in business and investor confidence is leading to major developments at both ends of the state and the $2 billion infrastructure investment in major works and capital upgrades is contributing. With the state budget back under control, we have been able to divert more money to public infrastructure upgrades, including to schools and hospitals.
In our first term of government we have made it easier for first home builders to get into the housing market by extending the First Home Builders Grant of $20,000 and reducing the stamp duty on eligible house and land packages.
ABS statistics from late last year showed Tasmanian building approvals for dwelling units for October 2017 increased an astounding 47.3 per cent from the same time the previous year.
Our actions are stimulating the building and construction industry, which is employing thousands of Tasmanians, creating apprenticeships, building more homes, providing better public infrastructure and seeing private enterprises including visitor accommodation infrastructure taking off.
And the Government has a plan to continue to deliver positive outcomes for the construction sector.
According to the ABS, the Tasmanian building and construction industry is employing about 22,800 people. The Liberals have overseen the creation of 6700 building and construction jobs since the March 2014 election, and this figure is in stark contrast to 16,100 people employed in the last year of the Labor-Green Government.
A re-elected Hodgman government will work towards a 25 per cent increase in people employed in building and construction over the next five years. We have set ambitious but achievable targets to increase apprenticeship opportunities and continue to invest heavily in public infrastructure.
We’ve made a commitment on two initiatives to support more Tasmanians into an apprenticeship or traineeship.
The first is an extension of our Payroll Tax Rebate Scheme for apprentices and trainees to 2021.
The Payroll Tax Rebate Scheme already supported more than 300 young Tasmanians into apprenticeships or traineeships and is anticipated to support an additional 3000.
Secondly, to encourage small businesses that don’t pay payroll tax to take on an apprentice or trainee, a reelected Liberal Government will provide annual funding to cover employment costs. This scheme has already supported about 1200 young Tasmanians into work.
The benefits of the building boom will be spread among suppliers, contractors and other specialists, many of which are small businesses.
In late December, I had the privilege of visiting Island Block and Paving, who said they are seeing more builders and companies using their products in housing construction. They have expanded with a new facility in Hobart and hired additional staff over the past 12 months.
These are the kinds of positive benefits Liberal policies are providing to local business. A re-elected majority Liberal Government will look to take Tasmania to the next level and build an even better future for more Tasmanians.