Optimism in Bay’s building industry
If you think you’ve noticed plenty of recent activity in the local building industry, you’re right. According to TDC building inspector, Danny Beattie, there are 14 new houses under construction in the Bay right now.
“On top of that, there are three that have just been completed and there are two new rotary cowsheds going up as well,” said Mr Beattie, who estimated the value of the new constructions at between $4 and $6 million.
“There’s no clear trend in the type of person having new homes built. Some are people retiring and moving to the Bay and others are already residents.”
Mr Beattie said that, while some work was being done by tradespeople who came into the Bay from over the Hill, a good proportion of the work was being done by local businesses.
Builders, subcontractors, related trades and suppliers spoken to were also busy and optimistic, some saying that the next six months were looking very promising. One tradesman said he had “jobs booked through to next March”.
“From what I’ve seen, people are spending more, not less, in the face of the downturn,” he said.
Philip Woolf, ITM manager, said that firms in and around the building trade had made commitments to apprentices, so continuity and confidence were important.
Draughtsman/designer Dave Slater said that in his 30-year experience in the Bay it always “more than held its own’ in any downturn. “I’ve got six houses on my books and that’ll keep me busy for several months,” he said.
One builder said that, despite some uncertainty because of the global recession, he had noticed things “starting to move” locally.
“I’ve had more phone enquiries in the last six or seven weeks than I had for most of last year. People obviously understand that now’s a very good time to build that house they’ve been thinking about for a while.
“Interest rates are very helpful as long as you can get over the banks’ lending threshold. I’ve heard that sections are selling too. The building industry infrastructure is all here, in the Bay.”
Neil Wilson
