State Government budget needs to drive activity

MASTER Builders this week welcomed the State Government’s budget initiatives but cautioned that more work needed to be done to ensure a consistent and well-managed pipeline of building projects for Queensland.

While $10.2 billion has been allocated to capital works, a large chunk of this has been shaved off for the Cross River Rail.

That still leaves a good sprinkling of spending on schools, health facilities, and other projects including the Cairns Convention Centre and the Townsville stadium.

Master Builders deputy CEO Paul Bidwell questioned why the government allocated money but consistently underspent by an average of $1.7 billion annually for the past six years.

“The government needs to ensure it spends all of the money it’s allocated, as well as show that it is prepared to pursue new opportunities to unlock investment,” Mr Bidwell said.

Mr Bidwell welcomed the extension of the $20,000 grant for first home buyers, which will now run until the end of December.

“We are confident that it will stimulate more demand from first home buyers,” Mr Bidwell said.

The housing strategy will also boost construction across the state with 656 social and affordable dwellings to be constructed in 2017/18, with about 4000 new dwellings over five years.