News Articles for Michael McGowan

The ABN Group managing director says the government should be directing more resources at the housing sector.

WA's homebuilders are rediscovering stability after several tumultuous years, although land availability and labour remain concerns.

The state government has turned to the private sector to build a manufacturing facility for housing components to speed up and increase residential supply.

The state is leading the country in home completion growth, after recent data assessed whether Australia was on track to achieve its National Housing Accord target.

The boss of WA's housing construction peak body says measures to attract skilled migrants are helping, but the federal government needs to do more.

Home Group has recorded the most home starts in the state for the second consecutive year, as WA's dwelling commencements lift by 45 per cent.

The building commissioner is set to receive a broader suite of powers under new laws flagged by the state government amid a review of the contracts legislation.

It was Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA chief economist Aaron Morey who summed up industry feelings on the budget best, when he said ‘thank god for rocks and royalties'.

Companies utilising alternative construction methods are playing a part to alleviate the state's housing shortage.

Dwelling commencements are improving, but still have a long way to go to meet federal government targets.

The Premier says funding to support the use of modular and prefabricated homes should expedite the delivery of housing.

ABS data shows new home approvals in WA defied national trends in November.

Homebuilders are tackling challenges head on in a bid to meet a growing demand for housing.

The construction industry has welcomed an extension of a subsidy program that attracts skilled workers to the sector.

Industry has welcomed the state government's changes to the metropolitan region scheme, which aim to lessen the approvals burden on projects.

Western Australia is building more homes than last year, but the rate of completions is dropping.

The Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre says there should be more incentives for workers in the building and construction industry if WA is to meet it housing targets.

The state government has upped the property price and income limits for its Keystart home loans, a move widely welcomed by industry stakeholders.

The state has the highest increase in dwelling approvals of any state, as the nation bounces back from decade-low levels of home building.

Resources royalty reliance and a lack of action on payroll tax were among the key observations from business groups digesting today's state budget – the first from Treasurer Rita Saffioti.

The state government has committed $843 million for affordable housing and homelessness initiatives in the upcoming 2024-25 budget.

Perth builders are increasingly embracing alternative construction methods.

WA has reported its second lowest dwelling starts since records began in 1969, but housing completions are improving.

The head of the Housing Industry Association in WA says the state is in a good position to smooth its peaks and troughs.

A shortage of existing housing stock is one reason behind the uptick in renovation activity.

Property industry groups have backed the state government's raft of planning reforms, including the medium-density code policy, which was reworked after receiving mixed reviews.

An increase in the rate of home completions could signify a new start in the market, the Housing Industry Association claims.

Treasurer Rita Saffioti is confident a $10 million government loan package designed to free up hundreds of WA homes “stranded” in the building process will not interrupt the housing market.

The building industry will be required to undertake mandatory inspections of high-rise apartments and commercial buildings from 2026, in the most significant industry reform in more than a decade.

WA leads the nation in the rate of increase in housing and unit approvals, with an 11 per cent uptick in October.

The homebuilding sector has a strong outlook, but there are still challenges to overcome.

The state government has expanded the stamp duty rebate to apartments under construction, in a bid to bolster supply.

The Dale Alcock-led group has started on more home builds than any other WA builder, while BGC has seen a dramatic drop in home starts.

A rise in failed builders has led to more indemnity claims, but taking on the stalled work can be fraught.

A planning policy over residential property in some western suburbs has led to multiple tribunal disputes.

The state government has flagged a reversal of recently announced medium density planning reforms, with many single dwellings to be excluded and other changes to be deferred.

The state government sign-off will allow for up to 1,000 apartments to be built on the historic Subiaco precinct.

Recent data shows a 5 per cent increase in the number of homes completed in WA in the March quarter.

The volume of houses and units approved reached 994 in WA last month, as approvals fall to levels not seen since the 1980s.

There's growing interest in alternative building practices and methods during the state's housing shortage.