- Expressions of interest open until 15 July 2021
- Proposals must commence within six months and deliver timber to local market
- Up to $2M on offer to expand or upskill workforce, or upgrade or purchase sawmilling equipment
Building and construction across Australia entered a boom following substantial focus and funding into the sector.
While home building has been a factor in keeping Australia’s economy one of the strongest and enviable in the world, it has caught people short: labour and materials shortages causing issues.
One concern causing homeowners-to-be was the looming HomeBuilder and other state grant deadlines. Those materials and labour shortages meant the start time for many builds might not have met the deadlines required by the grants, leaving people thousands out of pocket.
Governments subsequently acted, extending the deadline.
South Australian response
The state has been looking to address the housing timber shortage, with one initiative already under the belt.
“The EOI [expressions of interest] process follows the recent announcement of ForestrySA tenders which will see all log of sawmill quality being provided to the processing industry for value-adding here in regional South Australia.
“No logs of sawmill quality will be exported as a result of these tenders, in a strong sign of ForestrySA’s support for the local industry.”
David Basham, Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development.
Proposals made as part of the EOI process will have up to $2 million made available to increase the supply of house building timbers.
Minister Basham said, “This EOI process is looking for innovative options and projects that will result in the manufacture of additional building timbers in the short term to support the construction of homes in South Australia.”
The EOI process is looking specifically for proposals that see the workforce upskilled or expanded, or sawmilling equipment upgraded or purchased to provide efficient delivery of additional building timber.
“Proposals must be able to commence delivering additional timber to the local market inside six months, with preference given to proposals able to start delivering within three months.”
The EOI process will close on Thursday 15 July 2021.
