WA defies reports of national construction downturn

There are no signs of any contraction in the Western Australian construction industry according to Master
Builders Western Australia.

Releasing the latest quarterly Master Builders Grant Thornton Survey of Industry Conditions, MBA Housing Director Gavan Forster said that the Western Australian building and construction industry was operating at full capacity, with no downturn in sight.

Labour shortages remained a major concern to local contractors.
Mr Forster said that contractors were also being impeded by the poor performance of government agencies, particularly Western Power, in providing the necessary infrastructure for timely construction of building projects.

"Non-residential building activity is likely to reach around $3 billion in WA this year, with a similar level
projected for next year," Mr Forster said.

"Contrary to reports of a national construction downturn, nothing could be further from the truth in WA.

There is so much work in the pipeline that we will be insulated from any commercial building downturn for
some time," Mr Forster said.

A total of 43 WA builders contributed to the survey.