An economic study of housing production and associated works in Australia

This study, using the State of New South Wales as a sample, is an attempt to analyse some of the future problems associated with the Building & Construction Industry in relation to the expanding population in Australia. Research was carried out in regard to the future community requirements for new dwellings and the capacity of the building and construction workforce to fulfil those requirements. As planning for a competent, well trained workforce to meet the estimated future construction work load was considered as most essential, a special study in-depth was made of the workforce as first priority. Further workforce studies were made in regard to the productivity of the industry. Productivity and Building Cost Indexes were established and the percentage change in productivity per worker per annum estimated to establish its effect on future workforce needs. The future supply and demand market trends in housing per annum were estimated and used as a guide for the future workload. The estimates concluded therefrom were reconciled, in terms of town planning, concerning the possibility of their fulfilment, with the availability of sufficient vacant land and built-up areas suitable for redevelopment. Estimates in regard to the future workforce and housing needs were then based on the conclusions made from the foregoing studies.