A CONSTRUCTION revolution is quietly under way in Wagga, but not everybody is happy with the changes, fearing job losses and undermining of design standards, the Advertiser can reveal.
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But Gavin King, the man behind the city’s groundbreaking modular building firm, Prominda, believes their way of doing things is no threat to traditional construction.
Standing in the living room, Mr King explains how a three-piece module home will be manufactured at Bomen in just 15 weeks, hoisted on the back of a truck and assembled in Lockhart – bolted to the ground – in a further two weeks.
Off-site construction saves time and money, he said, but disagrees the efficiency is destined to put local tradies out of work.
“We are no threat,” Mr King said.
“It’s comparing apples with oranges; there is no way modular building can compete with project homes because they are rarely seen in a suburban setting.”
However, the Wagga branch of the Housing Industry Association (HIA) is concerned about the potential for outsourcing labour, particularly to major cities such as Sydney and Melbourne.
Of particular concern is modular building’s foray into the commercial sector, which the HIA regards as most at risk.
And the city is already seeing the construction of its first commercial project in the $14 million Rules Club redevelopment, which is having its modules manufactured in Sydney.
Rules Club general manager Jack Jolley said modular design came in at 30 per cent cheaper than a project build and it cut down on construction time by six months.
“We checked out the quality and we wouldn’t have done it if the quality was compromised,” he said.
“With the expansion, it’s so far, so good – we haven’t had any problems with it.
“Off-site construction allows more room for any changes you want to make to the design, it’s much easier to change if you want to.”
Mr King, whose business employs local sub-contractors, expects modular building to expand in coming years.
“In the last 12 months, inquiry has really escalated,” he said. “It’s good for Wagga, it’s good for local business because we still need those sub-contractors to put it together.”
Asked whether Prominda would consider expanding into the commercial sector, Mr King said: “Time will tell.”
