Housing boom is just around the corner, says MBA

The national construction sector has gone from strength to strength, suggesting that Australia could be heading for a housing boom. Making its predictions about what 2015 has in store, Master Builders Australia (MBA) explained that all signs are pointing toward success in the industry.

MBA's National Survey of Building and Construction revealed that more businesses planned to take on staff during the December quarter of last year, bringing the index to the highest level since the global financial crisis.

In light of this, staff and sub-contractors could find themselves in need of more equipment to cope with demand. Whether it's silenced generators they require or skid steer loaders, Kennards Hire is always on hand to help.

Chief Economist of MBA Peter Jones said there is every reason for those working in the sector to be optimistic at the moment.

"The survey has good news for young people as the index measuring builders' intentions to employ apprentices rising to its highest level in seven years and a third of respondents planning to put on more apprentices in the next six months," Mr Jones noted.

Builders also revealed they expect to see higher levels of activity over the next six months. There is every hope that this will soon return to levels seen before the global financial crisis got underway.

The latest official figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics also point to a rise in residential construction activity across most of the country. In December, dwelling approvals were up in every region with the exception of the Northern Territory and ACT.

Tasmania witnessed the strongest growth in approvals at 4.8 per cent, while New South Wales followed with a 3.2 per cent increase. Approvals were also up in Western Australia (0.9 per cent), Queensland (0.8 per cent), Victoria (0.6 per cent) and South Australia (0.2 per cent).