A bombshell new report warns Australia’s tradies are being pulled gold-rush style to one state capital - and the rest of the country will be left paying the price in a fresh, unplanned housing crisis.
The report, commissioned by Rohrig Constructions and authored by veteran industry expert Dr Alan Patching, warns the massive builds required for Queensland to pull off the 2032 Olympics are driving mass migration of builders from all directions to Brisbane and surrounds.
First look at Brisbane Arena ahead of the 2032 Olympics.
The impact goes beyond the availability of tradies elsewhere, with every worker heading north also needing housing - potentially creating an even bigger housing crisis.
Construction workers in a file picture from protest march to Parliament House in Brisbane. Picture: Liam Kidston
Infrastructure Australia has flagged a shortfall of up to 300,000 construction workers by next year alone - more than double the workforce gap identified just twelve months ago.
The squeeze is already showing in costs, with Brisbane construction prices forecast to jump around 10 per cent a year over the next two years, compared with 5 per cent in Sydney and 4 per cent in Melbourne.
Olympic and Paralympic symbols at South Bank, Brisbane. Picture: Liam Kidston
Dr Patching warned the mass demand could see a new breed of fly-in, fly-out worker emerge - project managers, civil engineers and specialist tradespeople commuting between Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane each week. Unlike traditional FIFO workers, they can’t be housed in mining camp-style dongas - they’ll need real housing in one of Australia’s most strained rental markets.
“Queensland may ultimately face a situation where one of its biggest housing challenges is accommodating the workforce needed to solve the housing shortage,” Dr Patching warned.
“Historically, we’ve seen labour and investment gravitate towards major mining regions. What we’re potentially seeing now is a similar phenomenon emerging around South-East Queensland.”
The 2032 Delivery Plan will see new and upgraded venues, including building the mass athletes’ village in the heart of the inner city at the RNA Showgrounds. Picture Queensland Government
Rohrig Constructions national operations manager David Vokes. Source: Supplied.
Rohrig Constructions national operations manager David Vokes said the real issue wasn’t whether Queensland could continue building, “it’s what happens elsewhere if a growing share of Australia’s construction capacity is increasingly drawn into one market”.
“Housing, infrastructure and investment projects don’t exist in isolation. They compete for the same people, resources and delivery capability, meaning pressure in one market can have consequences well beyond its borders.”
This comes as households are already squeezed hard with three rate rises by the RBA and inflation at 4.2 per cent, according to the latest residential market analysis by JLL Research Manager Will Silk, who warns that “reduction in construction cost inflation would be particularly beneficial, helping to unlock stalled projects and support new home development” - relief that looks unlikely any time soon.
A new venue is the 25,000 National Aquatic Centre in this image shared by the state government early this year. Picture Queensland Government
An Indoor Sports Centre with 12 courts was planned for Moreton Bay as part of the 2032 Olympic venues. Picture Queensland Government
The Queensland Tennis Centre is set to be upgraded by 3,000 seats with 12 new courts. Picture Queensland Government
Mr Silk said population growth and chronic supply shortages across major cities meant housing demand was consistently outpacing supply.
Mr Vokes warned organisations with major projects in the pipeline to secure delivery partners now and take a portfolio approach to procurement - or risk being locked out entirely.
“In an increasingly constrained market, the projects that secure delivery capability over the next 12 months may be the projects that are ultimately delivered by 2032.”
There are now just six years until the Olympic torch is due to reach Brisbane.
A new venue is the Redlands Whitewater Facility for the Olympics. Picture Queensland Government
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