The world’s best and brightest in housing manufacturing are being invited to help build high-quality homes for NSW using Modern Methods of Construction (MMC).
An Expression of Interest (EOI) is now open for businesses to establish or expand a manufacturing facility in NSW to produce prefabricated building components or large-scale modular housing, specifically for higher density housing types, including developing designs from the mid-rise pattern book.
Through the Modern Methods of Construction Industry Expansion Program (MMCIEP), the Government is inviting businesses with expertise in advanced manufacturing, prefabrication and modular construction to invest in NSW and help transform the way homes are built.
The program aims to grow local manufacturing, strengthen supply chains, create skilled jobs and accelerate the delivery of more homes across the state.
“This is a call to action for the world’s best manufacturers. If you have the expertise to build faster, smarter and at scale, we want you to help us build homes in NSW,” said Planning Minister, Paul Scully.
“Modern methods of construction will help us deliver more high-quality homes while reducing waste, lifting productivity and growing local manufacturing.”
The Government says it will consider supporting the development of the facility through financial support, through the provision of suitable land, by agreement to purchase output from the facility, including housing and other public facilities, as well as considering alternative proposals where these represent value for money for taxpayers and will support the development of a sustainable industry in NSW.
“This isn’t just about building more homes; it’s about building them better, faster and cheaper,” said Minister for Building, Anoulack Chanthivong.
“We’re backing innovation and scaling up modern methods of construction with the reforms and certainty industry has called for.”
The EOI is the first stage of a two-stage procurement process, and proposals will be assessed on commercial readiness, demonstrated capability and capacity to deliver at scale.
Today’s launch follows the opening of the Housing Innovation in Construction Fund and Housing Innovation Network Grants Program, representing almost $4 million in investment to help grow the local MMC sector, commercialise new technologies and bring more innovative manufacturers into the NSW housing market.
The Government is also investing $1.6 million to establish a new regulatory framework and introduce a certification system for MMC, formally recognising prefabricated buildings in NSW law and integrating MMC into the planning approvals system, as well as reforming procurement to open up more opportunities for MMC projects in NSW.
Together, these reforms are designed to give industry the confidence to invest in NSW, expand manufacturing capability and build a sustainable pipeline of modern construction projects for years to come, the Government said in a statement.
Damien Crough, who is Executive Chair of prefabAUS – the peak body for MMC in Australia since 2013 – welcomed the initiative and congratulated the Government on its commitment to growing the MMC industry.
“By supporting manufacturers to invest, innovate and scale production, NSW is creating the conditions to deliver more homes, faster, while building sovereign capability, creating skilled jobs and positioning the state as Australia’s leader in industrialised construction,” he said.
The EOI closes at 9am AEST on Monday, 3 August. Businesses can access the EOI documentation and apply through the NSW Government’s tendering portal.
