Victoria’s peak building industry body, the Master Builders Association (MBA), has had a strong response this week from builders keen to participate in the Federal Government’s planned social housing stimulus

package.

Master Builders executive director, Brian Welch, said about 60 local building businesses had expressed interest in submitting projects which would help achieve the Victorian target of 5,000 new units of social housing by Christmas 2010.  

“At this stage, about 60 companies have identified approximately 1,700 dwellings which could

potentially be purchased as part of Victoria’s $1.5 billion share of the $6 billion social housing stimulus

package,” said Mr Welch.

“Due to the global financial crisis, thousands of builders across Victoria have been unable to secure

funding for viable building projects despite having a planning permit and good business plans. 

“By increasing the number of pre-sales for construction-ready development projects, the Government’s

social housing stimulus package should be able to get many of these viable building projects off the

ground. 

“For every million dollars spent on building and construction, $2.9 million dollars is generated in other

industry sectors of the Victorian economy.  This includes materials manufacturers, transport

companies, hardware wholesalers and retailers.”