Here you will find the latest state-wide news, advocacy and industry insights from Master Builders Western Australia.
For industry news across the nation, click here to visit the Master Builders Australia newsroom.
Master Builders Australia commends the Australian Labor Party for its commitment to maintain the current settings for negative gearing and capital gains tax.
“The Opposition Leader’s pledge that Labor will not restrict negative gearing or increase capital gains tax should they win government at the next federal election is good news for the building industry, the economy and the community,” Denita Wawn, CEO of Master Builders Australia said.
Commitment to quality workmanship and innovation were the big winners at the 2021 Master Builders-Bankwest Excellence in Construction Awards.
John Gelavis, Executive Director of Master Builders WA shares his views on the 7.1% decline of the building approvals in Australia in an interview with The Property Tribune.
The building and construction industry gathered at a gala event in Broome recently to recognise the best residential and commercial builders in the Kimberley-Pilbara region for their construction excellence.
Master Builders WA welcomed the announcement today of the extension of the HomeBuilder construction deadline.
Housing Minister Michael Sukkar and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg announced today an extension of the construction commencement deadline under the HomeBuilder program and now all HomeBuilder applicants will have 18 months to commence construction from the date the contract was signed.
Master Builders Association of WA (Master Builders) congratulates Premier, Mark McGowan and the WA Labor Government after an historic election victory on Saturday.
“Master Builders acknowledges the great Government support the building and construction industry has received in remaining operational during COVID-19, but also receiving significant stimulus, which has saved many small businesses across the state”, said John Gelavis, Executive Director of Master Builders, WA.
Master Builders WA has released a five-point policy wish list ahead of the state election to help Western Australia build its way to economic growth.
Executive director John Gelavis said state and federal grants had set the building industry up to be a driving force in COVID-19 recovery but the sector depended on the next state government to minimise obstacles to success.
Today’s announcement by the Premier to apply a 5 day lockdown in the Perth metropolitan area,
Peel and the South-West regions is an important step to stop the spread of COVID-19.
“After discussions with the Premiers office and Master Builders, I am pleased to confirm building
and construction sites will continue to operate through the WA state lockdown, however masks
must be worn at all times and practice good hygiene and social distancing” said John Gelavis,
Executive Director of Master Builders Association of WA.
Master Builders WA welcomes new board members for 2021 under the leadership of re-elected President David Crothers, of Geraldton builder Crothers Construction, and newly elected Vice President Michael Van Dongen from Encon. Master Builders executive director John Gelavis said places on the board and councils were hotly contested this year from both metropolitan and regional WA, which showed strong member engagement and recognition of the successful work of the association during COVID-19.
The latest building approvals data released for October has skyrocketed as the building and construction industry leads the COVID-19 recovery saving many jobs and helping the local economy.
Master Builders WA Executive Director John Gelavis said the skyrocketing 103.7% per cent increase for WA dwelling approvals for October 2020 compared to October 2019 and 98.2 per cent increase on the previous quarter demonstrates the state and commonwealth stimulus is having the desired results, which will lead to more local jobs, greater levels of home ownership and deliver a thriving local economy.
The appointment of trailblazer Paula West to the Building and Construction Industry Training Board is a positive move towards diversity, says Master Builders WA executive director John Gelavis.
“Master Builders WA nominated Paula West to join the industry training board and we are delighted by her appointment,” Mr Gelavis said.
Western Australia’s strong economic recovery validates the State Government’s focus on building homes and infrastructure, says Master Builders executive director John Gelavis.
“Today’s mid-year economic review justifies the State Government’s decision to support the building and construction industry to keep operating through COVID-19 and lead the way back to economic growth. I am delighted our industry has been able to repay the favour by supporting the WA recovery,” Mr Gelavis said.
Probuild construction company has won top honours at the Master Builders Australia awards for the magnificent new Ritz-Carlton development.
A month after winning the title of best state project at the Master Builders WA construction awards, the $500 million Elizabeth Quay landmark followed up with two prestigious national prizes.
Master Builders WA welcome the decision by the Commonwealth Government to extend the Federal HomeBuilder program.
“Master Builders has been calling for a HomeBuilder to be extended for months and this extension from the Federal Government comes after the WA Government used its discretionary powers to recently extend the construction commencement period.
Master Builders WA welcomes the McGowan Government decision to use its discretionary authority
to extend the Federal HomeBuilder construction timeframe, easing bottlenecks anticipated by the
industry
Government projects are among the biggest and most important for the building industry so Master
Builders welcomes Premier Mark McGowan’s announcement today of the 2020 WA Industry
Participation Strategy and jobs pipeline.
The Towers and Ritz-Carlton development has triumphed in this years’ Master Builders-Bankwest Excellence in Construction Awards. The $500million Elizabeth Quay landmark including 379 apartments, 205 five-star hotel rooms, restaurants and commercial and retail space has won the state’s top construction award. Awards judge Glenn Smith said Probuild achieved an impressive level of skill throughout the complex and large-scale project.
Master Builders Western Australia has presented the first awards for women in the male-dominated construction industry to three impressive leaders.
The inaugural Women Building Australia awards were introduced in three categories, judged on positive contributions to the industry through leadership, inclusion and commitment to excellence.
Premier Mark McGowan’s announcement today to extend the construction period for the highly successful Building Bonus stimulus by six months has not only kicked a goal but delivered a best on ground performance in AFL grand final week for all West Australians.
Following the Federal Budget where the building and construction industry was front and centre, the State Budget followed suit backing the $24b WA building and construction sector by investing heavily in the construction of transport infrastructure, healthcare, education, housing, social housing, community facilities and maintenance work, which will create jobs and economic activity.
The Kalbarri Skywalk visitor services and a coastal home at Jurien Bay are highlights of this year’s Master Builders-Bankwest Building Excellence Awards for the Mid West region.
Judges travelled 2500km across the region from Geraldton to Carnarvon and through wildflower country such as Three Springs and Mingenew to see the best new building projects.
Master Builders welcomes today’s election commitment from the Liberal Party to promote opportunities for young people in the building and construction sector.
“Apprentices are the key to a sustainable future workforce. Greater investment in skills, mentoring and training support is essential to satisfy the growing demand for construction and trade skills and to avoid the labour shortages seen in past growth cycles,” executive director John Gelavis said.
Reforms to ensure payment protection for all construction workers are supported by Master Builders WA but changes should be phased in to give builders time to adjust to new obligations.
“Everyone in the building contract chain should be paid for their work in full and on time,” Master Builders WA executive director John Gelavis said.
The Building Bonus boost announced by the WA Government today will help to keep building activity buoyant and builders say the next step is to give the program more time.
Master Builders executive director John Gelavis welcomed the extra $30million funding for the successful program and said an extension would allow builders to meet the high demand.
Activity in the new build market is increasing in response to Federal and State Government stimulus, leading to revised forecasts for home commencements in Western Australia this year.
The top home winner in the 2020 Master Builders-Bankwest Building Excellence Awards for the Great Southern proves quality doesn’t have to come with a high price tag.
Regional awards judge Charlie Baggetta said the Best Country Home award went to Poett Building Co for a house in the Willyung area which was far from the most expensive among this year’s entries.
Copper theft has long been a problem on building sites and builders welcome WA Government moves to regulate sales of the metal.
Master Builders WA executive director John Gelavis said today’s announcement by Police Minister Michelle Roberts on plans for copper regulations to match gold and silver, followed by wider legislative reforms, came as a relief for builders.
The WA Government today delivered a lesson in economic recovery by investing $492 million in education centre upgrades and builders are keen to begin their school work.
Master Builders WA executive director John Gelavis said builders approached the McGowan Government with a suggestion for statewide infrastructure projects in March and the roll out of WA Recovery Plan announcements showed the call had been heard.
The $110.9 million Kimberley Recovery Plan gives assurance of continuing work for the building industry and will create jobs for local tradies and apprentices.
Master Builders WA executive director John Gelavis said the WA Government had listened to industry calls for investment in local infrastructure across the state.
“Powering up government projects such as upgrading education centres and launching infrastructure work will give the local building industry a boost,” Mr Gelavis said.
The WA Recovery Plan is a confidence boost for the building industry and will help to keep tradies and apprentices employed.
Master Builders WA executive director John Gelavis said the $5.5 billion plan ticked a lot of boxes for revitalising the economy.
The building approvals data released today shows the COVID-19 crisis is starting to impact residential building activity.
Master Builders WA Executive Director John Gelavis said the 8.9 per cent fall in dwelling approvals for May reinforced the need for the housing stimulus measures being implemented by the State and Federal Governments.
The coronavirus crisis put a halt to the South West building awards in March but the event has been triumphantly relaunched in a new, online format.
The tickets were sold, the trophies polished and new outfits hanging ready to be worn for the Master Builders-Bankwest Building Excellence Awards when gatherings were banned just days ahead of the gala affair on March 21.
Three months on, the event has been reimagined as the first Master Builders online awards ceremony. Instead of the original plan for a celebration in Bunbury, builders logged on from home towns as far north as Waroona, east to Darkan, looping around to Manjimup and Pemberton then south to Augusta and everywhere between to celebrate the region’s best projects.
Property Council WA and Master Builders WA welcome the co-operative efforts of WA’s politicians who have joined forces to achieve historical planning reform.
Working together, a combination of MPs from the Government, Opposition and the crossbenches, agreed to lower the threshold for the State Government’s major projects fast-tracking planning initiative from $30 million to $20 million. In the regions, projects worth as little as $5 million can be fast-tracked under the scheme, which is designed to eliminate red-tape and generate job-creating projects.
The McGowan Government’s housing stimulus package, including a building bonus and social housing economic recovery package, is a gamechanger that will turbocharge the residential and construction industry in WA. This is a massive lifeline for our embattled building sector and brings much-needed relief to the industry and the many small businesses within it. “Today’s announcement follows a two and a half month advocacy campaign by Master Builders WA to save housing jobs and create much needed activity in the WA economy, so we are delighted the State Government has listened and acted,” Master Builders WA executive director John Gelavis said.
The Morrison Government HomeBuilder scheme is a lifeline and brings much-needed relief to the Western Australian housing industry and the many small to medium businesses within it. Master Builders WA executive director John Gelavis said the scheme followed a three-month advocacy campaign to save jobs and recharge building activity by the Master Builders movement.
WA Premier Mark McGowan has invited Master Builders WA Executive Director John Gelavis to represent members and the building industry on the new State Recovery Advisory Group.
“The $25billion building and construction industry is vital to Western Australia. Master Builders has extensive experience and resources both locally and nationally to provide expert advice on the key elements required for our state’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mr Gelavis said.
Construction industry groups have joined forces with the WA Police Force to launch the Partnership Against Crime Taskforce (PACT) with the aim of curbing theft on Western Australian construction sites.
The signatories to the PACT Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) are the WA Police Force, security specialists Braven Group Services, Master Builders WA (MBAWA), the Urban Development Institute of Australia WA (UDIA), and the Civil Contractors Federation WA (CCF).
A simplified planning system will protect jobs and create opportunities as WA recovers from COVID-19 and beyond says Master Builders Executive Director John Gelavis. “Master Builders has spent years promoting a clear, strong and functional planning system so we welcome the reforms put to Parliament today.”
Master Builders WA says the WA Government’s decision to dip into funds for a $150million housing support package for tradies and builders has come at the perfect time.
Executive Director John Gelavis said bringing forward the jobs stimulus which was due to start in July is the move Master Builders had been asking for in recent correspondence with the government.
Changes to procurement regimes for construction projects overseen by the WA Government are welcomed in as part of a push to modernise procurement processes for goods, services and works.
Master Builders WA executive director John Gelavis congratulated Finance Minister Ben Wyatt on his resolve to cut red tape by introducing the Procurement Bill 2020 to Parliament and following up with the release of new guiding principles for managing government building projects.
The Housing Industry Forecasting Group has released a new report revealing a sharp decline in residential dwelling commencements for Western Australia, with the number predicted to be at the lowest levels since 1982.
Master Builders WA Executive Director John Gelavis said the figures showed the grim effects of
COVID-19.
Master Builders Association of WA today launches a state advertising campaign to promote the housing industry and display homes and villages. Executive Director John Gelavis said the campaign aimed to reboot the building industry by encouraging potential home buyers to visit display homes now that restrictions have eased and move their plans forward
Today’s announcement by Premier Mark McGowan to ease restrictions on display homes to 10 at a time is wonderful news for the residential housing industry and the home buying public and is welcomed by Master Builders Association of WA.
Master Builders applauds the State Government for supporting the young men and women within the building and construction sector, hosts and group training organisations by announcing a $24.5 million support package.
Master Builders WA welcomes todays announcement by the State Government of the
deferral of the National Construction Code (NCC) 2019 for Western Australia.
Master Builders welcomes the announcement today for amendments to planning and development regulations to assist the State during the current pandemic.“The amendments to planning regulations, giving the Planning Minister authority to temporarily override requirements and conditions with local planning schemes is warmly re ceived by industry,” according to Master Builders Housing Director Jason Robertson.
Master Builders is calling for local councils across Western Australia to match the City of Stirling’s efforts to ease the pressure on businesses during the COVID-19 crisis.
“Stirling has introduced several measures to assist businesses, the building industry and ultimately their residents during this unprecedented situation,” said Master Builders housing director Jason Robertson.
The State Government announcement that the construction industry will continue to operate despite intrastate travel restrictions is the declaration of support Master Builders has been seeking. “Coronavirus is a health crisis first but an economic one second. Master Builders thanks Premier Mark McGowan for giving the building and construction industry the clarification it needs to continue,” executive director John Gelavis said.
Master Builders Western Australia joins industry groups across the agriculture, livestock, transport, building and construction, electrical, communications, hospitality and property sectors in voicing strong concern regarding the State Government’s proposed new industrial manslaughter laws.
The proposed new offences are set out in the Work Health and Safety Bill 2019. The bill, introduced in November, is currently before the Legislative Council of Parliament.
Master Builders has created a plan for the WA building and construction industry to help minimise the economic fallout of COVID-19.
“Coronavirus is a health crisis first but an economic one second. Care for our community is the priority in these anxious times but keeping people in jobs and small businesses going is also important,” executive director John Gelavis said.
Master Builders Association of Western Australia welcomes the Federal Governments second
stimulus package containing welcome measures to support the viability of businesses, particularly
the viability of small businesses (including sole traders) and non-profit-organisations to keep people
in jobs.
Master Builders has a deep and long-standing commitment to safety. We understand what works and what doesn’t in the construction sector because we have been at forefront of improving safety standards, awareness and training for decades.
The State Government’s COVID-19 economic package is a relief for small businesses, but Master Builders WA Executive Director John Gelavis says some may need more help to stay afloat.
“The State Government has given some respite to the building sector by targeted support for small businesses because there are more in our industry than any other,” Mr Gelavis said.
The Federal Government’s $17.6 billion stimulus package should bolster economic resilience in the face of the coronavirus challenge.
Master Builders WA executive director John Gelavis welcomed the leadership demonstrated by the economic support, which will be a relief for many small businesses in the state.
The coronavirus health threat is a fast-evolving situation which is likely to affect the West Australian building and construction industry in the months ahead. Master Builders is assisting members to be prepared by offering information and support.
Master Builders WA has been presenting awards for housing excellence for 40 years and a range of high-class, unique and innovative homes have been honoured in this anniversary year. Executive director John Gelavis said hundreds of properties with a combined value of more than $250million were entered in the Master Builders-Bankwest Housing Excellence Awards for 2020.
Respected builder David Crothers has been elected President of Master Builders Western Australia. Executive Director John Gelavis said Mr Crothers brought an abundance of professional knowledge as Managing Director of Crothers Construction and a decade of experience on the Master Builders board to his new position as President.
Master Builders Association of Western Australia welcomes the recent announcements of major projects planned for the North West.
Master Builders Executive Director John Gelavis said building and construction was an important industry for WA and it was encouraging to see government-led infrastructure work visibly rolling out across the North West, increasing activity in the sector and delivering much-needed jobs and economic growth.
Building approvals data released today has given the housing industry reason for optimism.
Master Builders Housing Director Jason Robertson said new Australian Bureau of Statistics figures for December 2019 showed encouraging signs regarding house prices, housing investor lending and first home buyer lending.
Building innovator Robert Torrance has been awarded a Member of the Order of Australia for his outstanding service to the West Australian construction industry in the Australia Day Honours.
Builders turned a red dirt quagmire at Kalgoorlie into a glossy showroom and an Esperance coastal block into an elegant multi-level home in two of the region’s greatest transformations this year.
The State Government announcement to invest in additional public housing and Keystart is a muchneeded boost for builders and those desperately trying the access social housing. Master Builders WA Executive Director John Gelavis said the $125 million investment in 300 public housing dwellings, $6 million in social housing refurbishments, $19.2 million for 200 shared equity homes and extension of the raised Keystart income limits for an extra six months are important policies to help builders get through to the end of the building slump.
The fall in apprentice numbers in recent years has sparked concerns about a future skills crisis but Master Builders WA is resisting the decline by championing the skills of the next generation.
Master Builders Apprentice of the Year awards celebrate new talent in the industry and are open to trainees in construction trades such as plumbing, carpentry, bricklaying and electrical work.
More than 90 per cent of Western Australia’s building businesses are small and family owned so reducing the payroll tax burden for these employers will bring them welcome relief during the ongoing construction industry decline.
Master Builders WA Executive Director John Gelavis welcomed the payroll tax cuts announced by the McGowan Government today, saying small building businesses across the state were prime generators of jobs and deserved support, especially in these tough economic times.
Talks between the Federal and State Governments to strike a Perth City Deal have been welcomed by Master Builders WA as a lifeline for the struggling construction industry.
Master Builders Executive Director John Gelavis said the deal would put focus on the important areas of housing, infrastructure and jobs.
The stamp duty relief for new apartment buyers announced by the WA Government today has been welcomed by the Master Builders Association of Western Australia.
Executive Director John Gelavis said the tax break would remove a major obstacle for buyers and promote multi-storey apartment construction.
The call for the Federal Government to forgive old loans for social housing and release money for new construction in WA has the full support of the Master Builders Association of Western Australia.
Housing Director Jason Robertson says WA Treasurer Ben Wyatt’s proposal to drop the debt and lift spending on social housing projects has the potential to kick start the economy.
Wider access to Keystart loans and the State Government’s new Opening Doors advertising campaign will help builders survive the housing slump, says Master Builders WA Housing Director Jason Robertson.
Builders in the Geraldton region are defying the industry downturn by showing impressively high standards of quality and innovation at the regional building awards.
Judges of the 2019 Master Builders-Bankwest Building Excellence Awards, presented at Geraldton Grammar School on October 12, said anyone looking to build an original and top-class home in the Mid West region was spoilt for choice.
A preconception-busting aged care centre and a unique bush home in Albany have won the top prizes in the 2019 Master Builders-Bankwest Building Excellence Awards for the Great Southern.
Regional awards judge Charlie Baggetta said the range and quality of building work in the area was impressive. Judges assessed houses valued from under $200,000 to $1.5million and commercial projects ranging from $1million to $3million.
The total value of projects entered in the awards came to almost $59million.
Industrial manslaughter laws are not a proactive measure to improve safety and will not stop worker deaths, say Master Builders Western Australia.
The new strategy to improve WA’s planning system announced by the State Government today has been praised by the building industry.
New building industry forecasts released today by Master Builders suggest Western Australia is beginning to recover.
Master Builders Association of Western Australia welcomes today’s commitment by Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge to inject more energy into the Perth City Deal.
Builders suffering a prolonged industry slump are hoping the McGowan Government’s announcement of the route and station locations for the Morley-Ellenbrook Line is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Master Builders congratulates the State Government for supporting the implementation of the recommendations of the Shergold-Weir report to provide confidence and certainty to the industry and all participants in the building supply chain.
Master Builders Western Australia wants to see governments do more to fast track infrastructure projects to accelerate growth in the state economy.
We commend the McGowan Government for its efforts to date in rolling out congestion-busting transport infrastructure and the Morrison Government for its commitment to fund urban infrastructure and transport infrastructure, but more needs to be done to get projects out the door and construction commenced.
“The announcement by APRA that the mortgage serviceability test is to be relaxed is great news at a time when the Western Australian market is trying to recover and the State Government has introduced its housing stimulus program through Keystart.
New Australian Bureau of Statistics figures reveal a continued downward trend in residential construction, supporting the decision by the State Government to assist builders and first home buyers through the Keystart program.
Builders under stress due to the West Australian housing slump are urging the major banks to pass on the latest interest rate cut fully and immediately.
Home builders have welcomed the official start of the temporary increase to Keystart income limits in the hope of seeing an end to the housing slump.
The State Government’s move to boost the powers of the Small Business Commissioner has been endorsed by Master Builders.
Judges travelled more than 10,000km to see the finest new buildings in the North West and chose the Port Hedland harbour facility and a tropical resort-style home in Broome as top award winners.
Master Builders congratulates the McGowan Government on achieving a return to surplus ahead of schedule and looks forward to an increase of confidence in the building sector.
Master Builders Executive Director John Gelavis said the association had been calling for greater levels of investment in the state both at a state and federal level, so major investments like this will create certainty, boost activity in the sector and create much needed jobs.
Embattled builders have welcomed the State Government decision to increase Keystart income limits in the hope of seeing an end to the housing slump.
Federal budget initiatives will promote economic growth across the country but Master Builders say more investment is needed in WA due to a major decline in construction work.
The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics figures reveal the residential construction market in Western Australia is continuing downward.
Master Builders support the State Government’s aim to secure the long-term supply of locally skilled workers to the building industry but warn that builders have trouble taking on apprentices during hard times.
Changes to national right of entry regulations have been welcomed by Master Builders WA as being clearer, fairer and more closely aligned to state rules.
Imagine a grand Colorado ranch house fused with a stylish Hamptons holiday home then shifted across the world to a rural property near Waroona and the result is the 2019 South West Best Country Home.
A building where boulders merge into stone walls suggests a medieval castle rather than a country house but the WA Top Home of the year combines the best of both.
The McGowan Government’s commitment to greater infill development and housing around transport corridors and Metronet precincts has been praised by the Master Builders Association of WA for providing clarity on the intended direction of housing across the state.
The Master Builders Association of Western Australia has applauded the McGowan Government’s move to improve long term planning for major facilities across the state.
New Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show the residential construction housing market is still weakening nationally, with total new dwelling approvals falling by 8.4 per cent during December.
New Australian Bureau of Statistics figures reveal the downward trend in the residential construction market is getting worse, with the number of new building approvals at a five-year low.