The WA Government has announced it will provide up to $4 million to support the restart of operations of the Austral brickworks in Cardup to boost domestic brick supply.
Recommissioning of the shuttered facility is expected to boost the State’s brick production by about 10-15% 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.
“This funding allocation reflects the Cook Labor Governments ongoing commitment to ensuring every Western Australian can enjoy the security of having their own home,” said Treasurer, Rita Saffioti.
“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.”
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.
“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,” said Brickworks CEO, Mark Ellenor.
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% over this period – driving strong demand for bricks. Western Australia has by far the highest proportion of new double brick homes being built in the nation, the Government said.
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 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.
