Leading industry analyst and economic forecaster, BIS Shrapnel is forecasting national building commencements to be close to flat in 2010/11 and 2011/12.  

The company’s ‘Building in Australia 2010’ report says that as the positive effect of fiscal stimulus programs fades, there will be less upward pressure on interest rates.  

Relatively favourable interest rates will allow apartment construction to become a key driver for economic growth over the next two years.  

“Federal government stimulus programs were largely responsible for the strong 15 per cent rebound in the national value of total building commencements in 2009/10,” says BIS Shrapnel Senior Economist, Jason Anderson.  

“The First-Home Buyer Boost Scheme, social housing and the Building Education Revolution programs were vital to the recovery in the building pipeline, following the 18 per cent plunge in starts during 2008/09.”  

BIS Shrapnel is forecasting support for the building industry from Federal Government spending to fall away during 2010/11 and 2011/12, and Anderson says the effects of this can already be seen.    

“First-home buyer numbers are down by 50 per cent over the first half of 2010, compared to the first half of 2009, and non-residential building approvals have trended down sharply over the past six months,” he says.  

BIS Shrapnel predicts there will be two major drags on economic growth in 2010/11.  

The first is a substantial 27 per cent decline in net overseas migration to 175,000 people, which will constrain retail sales growth.  

The second is a three per cent drop in private sector non-residential construction (non-residential building plus engineering construction), which is considerably worse than the Commonwealth Treasury’s latest forecast for a 7.5 per cent rise.  

“In this environment, we are predicting only two rate hikes by the Reserve Bank of Australia in 2010/11, with the first coming towards the end of 2010,” says Anderson.    

Continuation of relatively favourable interest rates should encourage a recovery in first-home buyer numbers over the first half of 2011. A revival of first-home buyer demand would give residential property markets a second wind, and buoy upgrader and investor demand for new dwellings.  

In turn, BIS Shrapnel expects national home renovation expenditure will show solid growth of six per cent in 2010/11.  

Apartment projects are also expected to deliver a substantial upside for the national economy during 2010/11, and beyond.  

“Prospects for a sustained recovery in residential building activity are heavily dependent on demand in New South Wales and Queensland,” says Anderson. “Stamp duty relief for new dwellings in New South Wales is expected to encourage a strong upturn in starts of apartment projects from 2010/11.  

BIS Shrapnel says part of the rationale for an extended recovery in apartment construction is that developers will have limited opportunities emerging from the non-residential building sector.  

“We are forecasting national non-residential building starts to drop by 14 per cent in 2010/11 and five per cent in 2011/12, reaching the lowest level since 2005/06,” says Anderson.  

“The overall mix of building and construction activity provides a near-term opportunity for developers of residential projects. Softness in non-residential building should result in more competitive tendering and cost benefits for apartment projects.”  

BIS Shrapnel Forecasts by State  

New South Wales  

In New South Wales total building commencements are forecast to grow three per cent in 2010/11 and eight per cent in 2011/12.  

Growth in residential construction is anticipated to be very strong over these years, with new dwelling commencements coming off a very low base.  

Non-residential activity is forecast to weaken.  

Victoria  

Total building construction in Victoria is forecast to be flat over the next two years. Residential construction is expected to hold close to steady.  

However, a mild contraction in non-residential building is forecast.  

Queensland  

In Queensland growth of eight per cent in 2010/11 and two per cent in 2011/12 is forecast for the value of total building commencements. Strong growth is anticipated for residential commencements over 2010/11 and 2011/12, with both detached house and higher density projects contributing to the figures.  

Non-residential commencements are anticipated to weaken notably in 2011/12 as spending on education and health projects winds back to more historically normal levels.  

South Australia  

In South Australia a contraction in total building construction of seven per cent is forecast for 2010/11 before a 17 per cent expansion in 2011/12. Non-residential construction is anticipated to contract in 2010/11 before expanding significantly in 2011/12, supported by a lift in health-related commencements.  

Western Australia  

A 14 per cent contraction in total building construction is forecast for Western Australia in 2010, before flattening in 2011/12. This weakness will be driven by non-residential construction.  

Moderate growth in residential construction is forecast in both years.  

Tasmania  

Total building construction in Tasmania is forecast to weaken by 10 per cent in 2010/11 and two per cent in 2011/12. Non-residential construction will drive the contraction.  

Residential construction is anticipated to hold relatively stable at its current robust level.  

Northern Territory  

In the Northern Territory, growth of 17 per cent and three per cent is forecast for total building construction over 2010/11 and 2011/12 respectively.  

Residential construction is expected to lift strongly, especially in 2010/11. A modest contraction in non-residential construction is anticipated over both years.  

Australian Capital Territory  

Total building commencements in the Australian Capital Territory are forecast to weaken by 14 per cent in 2010/11 and a further 10 per cent in 2011/12.  

Residential construction ran at a very high level over 2009/10. New dwelling construction is expected to weaken moderately over the coming two years.  

Non-residential building was sustained at a very high level over the 2005/06 – 2009/10 period. The level of non-residential construction is anticipated to fall to a more historically normal level over the next two years.