The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) welcomes the announcement of an extension of the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾Builder program, which further demonstrates the Morrison Government has listened to the new home construction sector and responded.
As well as extending ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾Builder until the end of March 2021, the Federal Government has pushed out the construction commencement deadline from 3 months to 6 months, and increased property price caps for new builds in the key markets of NSW and Victoria, which are both welcome refinements to the program.
The Chief Executive of AFPA Ross Hampton said, “The Morrison Government’s quick action on COVID-19 coupled with the introduction of ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾Builder has effectively saved the livelihoods of thousands of Australians. This extension and refinement means the housing construction sector will continue as the engine room for growth and jobs in Australia’s economy, and that includes the timber products sector.”
“The program coupled with State Government complementary stimulus measures have been effective in increasing consumer confidence, bolstering new home and major renovation demand, and underpinning many regional jobs and families across Australia.”
“Many of these new houses are being built from Australian timber framing produced from our sustainably managed forest plantations. Not only are Australians who demand timber framing, for their new homes getting a great product, they are supporting an industry which is planting the trees needed for the homes of the future, and with it, a whole supply chain of regional jobs and communities. That is why timber framing is the ultimate renewable.”
“We will continue to work with the Morrison Government to make sure that ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾Builder continues to be effective and does the job it is intended to do,” Mr Hampton concluded.
The original media release is here:
