WA spends $4 million to reopen second brick plant
Western Australia will pay up to $4 million to reopen a brick plant and boost production by 15 per cent.
Western Australia's government will fund the reopening of a second brick manufacturing plant to ease a critical shortage slowing home construction. Austral Bricks shut its Cardup facility in mid-2023, leaving Midland Brick as the sole maker.
Since then, the number of detached homes starting construction has grown by more than 50 per cent, but brick supply remains tight. The state will give $3 million to restart the plant.
An extra $500,000 is available if operations resume by March. Another $500,000 is available if Austral produces at least 17 million bricks in the first year.
Industry leaders say the boost will help but won't immediately solve the problem. Housing Industry Association WA warns homeowners face another 12 months of delays as brickmakers work through the backlog.
- Up to $4 million
- Government funding
- $3 million
- Base allocation
- More than 50 per cent since closure
- Construction growth
- Up to 15 per cent
- Production increase target
Why it mattersBrick shortages have stalled home building across WA; reopening a second factory should ease wait times and potentially lower construction costs.
AustraliaWestern Australian home buyers and builders waiting on construction projects should see relief within a year, though delays will persist in the short term.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
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