Reed Construction Data (formerly Cordell) has reported that continuing on from last month, the standout activity involved a blend of progress and emergence from major state/federal sponsored works. Indicators of intent/sentiment have demonstrated positive signs for the private sector to take the strain once stimulus based activity diminishes. These include surging supply applications emulated by recent ABS data releases, continued fortification of planning/approvals channels by multiple states and recurring growth in capital expenditure nationally – especially for “Building & Structures”.
NSW/ACT:
Reporting of BER school projects mainly centred on architects. Due to the large workload, Reed Construction Data's contacts indicate that Principal Architects may subcontract to local regional architects.
Aside from BER projects, prior funded school project tenders are being invited, including toilet upgrades and Design Development and Construct contracts for halls, Covered Outdoor Learning Areas (COLAS) and canteens.
QLD/SA/NT:
Rounds 1 and 2 of the BER School projects are moving along steadily, some schools from the 3rd round are already out to tender or place registrations of interest to encourage builders to lock in their time and commitment.
Some Architectural Practices have felt a sense of frustration over BER projects due to tight timeframes, changing of specifications midstream and a lack of some building materials holding up construction. The impact of the BER projects on the private market has also become a concern with those practices that are not involved with BER.
For round 2 of the BER schools program, some construction managers have avoided usual advertising of expressions of interests from builders. They have opted instead to send out personalised letters inviting them to work on the BER school projects.
VIC/TAS:
Funding for BER has been fast-tracked by the State Minister for Planning for those schools that had not yet received financial go-ahead while the BER projects continue steadily in all stages, from tender to construction.
WA:
BER school projects are progressing well with tenders being advertised for packages of schools (Gov’t/Private).
Generally, the construction community in WA have been extremely positive in recent periods in line with the Gorgon project being met with approval; new housing subdivision are being developed in the area for this project. Also while there is a feeling of optimism in the construction in WA, larger councils have been looking into land grabs in an effort to resist amalgamation.