Deposits for a new housing project in one of Queensland’s fastest-growing areas, Ripley, have doubled, thanks to the Australian Government’s successful extension of the HomeBuilder scheme.
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack visited the bustling Ipswich area to see first hand how the HomeBuilder scheme has been helping local jobs and families.
“HomeBuilder is a key part of the government’s economic recovery plan for Australia and is expected to support the construction or major rebuild of around 15,000 homes,” Mr McCormack said.
“This is in addition to the 27,000 homes the scheme is already expected to support, bringing it to a total of around 42,000 homes.”
The HomeBuilder scheme has been extended from November, 2020, until March 31, 2020. It provides eligible owner-occupiers with a grant to build a new home or substantially renovate an exisiting home. This includes a $15,000 grant for building contracts and an extended deadline for applications to be submitted.
Senator Paul Scarr said the HomeBuilder scheme allowed the Australian Government to focus on jobs and support southeast Queenslanders.
“The HomeBuilder scheme is helping to power the local economy, grow jobs and give locals a great opportunity to get into their first home,” Senator Scarr said.
“It’s no wonder so many families are choosing to live in Ripley. This part of Queensland is quickly becoming one of the most exciting regions as more families move to the area for affordability, lifestyle and jobs.”
A total of 2495 new homes were approved in the Ipswich region over the past 12 months.
Almost half of those – 933 new homes – were in the past quarter, according to figures from the City of Ipswich.
Sekisui House Australia Queensland state sales manager Scott Blaney described the impact of the HomeBuilder grant as “remarkable”.
“The Federal Government’s HomeBuilder grants have opened the door for buyers wishing to enter the proeprty market or upgrade to a new home in one of Ripley’s most sought-after communities in Queensland’s booming western growth corridors,” Mr Blaney said.
“Total deposits are approximately 115 per cent on the previous year. People who probably thought they would never be in a position to buy and build their own home have been given the opportunity to do so thanks to the HomeBuilder grant.”
The Ripley housing project received 53 deposits from June 2019 to February 2020. Since the Homebuilder grant was introduced, 114 deposits have been made from June 2020 to February 3, 2021, of which 72 applicants were grant eligible.
Sekisui House Australia Construction Manager Stephen Turello said the scheme also kept 2,248 of their workers employed.
“We have seen an incredible surge in buyer interest, off the back of the Federal Government’s HomeBuilder stimulus and have had the capacity to build in line with demand, which ultimately, keeps people in jobs.”
MEDIA CONTACT: Senator Scarr – Lauren Day 0403852090
