- The Cook Labor Government will provide up to $4 million to support the recommissioning of the Cardup brickworks
- Agreement has been reached with Brickworks to restart the facility
- The facility is expected to produce around 17 million Maxibricks and boost Western Australia’s brick supply by 10-15 per cent
- Strong growth in demand for bricks has been underpinned by increased population growth and homes under construction
The Cook Labor Government will provide up to $4 million to support the restart of operations of the Austral brickworks in Cardup to boost domestic brick supply given strong growth in demand for new homes in Western Australia.
Recommissioning of the shuttered facility is expected to boost the State’s brick production by about 10-15 per cent once operational.
The State Government will provide up to $4 million in assistance, comprising of:
- a $3 million upfront contribution to support recommissioning including repairs and maintenance to the facility;
- a $500,000 incentive payment to resume operations by March 2027; and
- a further $500,000 incentive payment to deliver 17 million Maxibricks within 12 months of the restart of operations.
The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation will also work with Brickworks to finalise updates to the licence including a potential 10-year extension for the operations.
The Cardup brickworks were mothballed in April 2023. Since then, housing commencements have grown to over 24,200 homes. This includes around 19,500 detached homes, up more than 50 per cent over this period, which has driven strong demand for bricks. Western Australia has by far the highest proportion of new double brick homes being built in the nation.
The recommissioning of the Cardup facility is in addition to further measures being undertaken by Midland Brick to increase capacity through its existing operations at South Guildford and Middle Swan.
The Cook Labor Government is also supporting the building industry to boost capacity for other modern methods of construction, including $49 million in grants through the Housing Innovation Fund, including increased production of framing and roof trusses, modular homes and housing components, as well as $48 million for two new Advanced Manufacturing Facilities to boost production of prefabricated medium and high-density apartments.
As stated by Treasurer Rita Saffioti:
“This $4 million in funding will support the recommissioning of the Cardup brickworks and boost brick supply in Western Australia by 10-15 per cent.
“This funding allocation reflects the Cook Labor Governments ongoing commitment to ensuring every Western Australian can enjoy the security of having their own home.
“I want to thank Brickworks for working with us to bring this important facility back online.
“Along with $49 million in grants through the Housing Innovation Fund and $48 million for Advanced Manufacturing Facilities to boost production of prefabricated apartments, this is another way the Cook Labor Government is supporting home construction in Western Australia.”
As stated by Manufacturing Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
“We know that brick manufacturing is critical for our housing sector.
“Today’s funding announcement will support Austral bricks in Cardup to restart operations, supporting local jobs and the delivery of more housing.
“The Cook Labor Government will continue to support local manufacturers. Whether it’s traditional brick homes or innovative modular manufacturing – to build more homes for Western Australians.”
As stated by Small Business Minister Jackie Jarvis:
“Increasing local brick supply will provide greater certainty for the many builders, trades and suppliers working hard to deliver more homes across the State.
“The Small Business Development Corporation will administer the grant, helping to support the recommissioning of the Cardup brickworks and increase the supply of an important building material for WA businesses.”
As stated by Brickworks CEO Mark Ellenor:
“Austral Bricks is pleased to support the Cook Governments request to re-start the Cardup brickworks operations to address current shortages in the WA brick market and improve certainty of supply to the residential building industry and customers.”
As stated by Master Builders CEO Matt Moran:
“Master Builders Western Australia welcomes this pragmatic decision to increase brick supply and provide greater certainty for builders and their clients.”
“Our focus must remain on increasing supply as quickly as possible, while supporting builders who are already dealing with significant cost and supply pressures.”
“Increasing local brick production is an important step, and we will continue working with the StateGovernment and industry on solutions to support builders and their customers.”
As stated by HIA Executive Director Michael McGowan:
“It is fantastic to see Brickworks restarting it’s manufacturing operations in Western Australia at a time when housing demand remains exceptionally strong.
“With a substantial pipeline of work set to deliver more than 20,000 homes for Western Australians, additional brick supply will play an important role in meeting demand and reducing construction delays.
“Increased brick availability not only helps get homes completed sooner, it also provides continuity of work for the trades and businesses that have worked tirelessly over the past four years to deliver the homes our State so desperately needs.”
