Money is on the table for residents looking to build or renovate their homes, with the government revealing the details of their homebuyers grant today.
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Under the scheme, now dubbed "HomeBuilder", people looking to build or renovate their homes could receive up to $25,000 in dollar-for-dollar assistance.
The grant comes with several asterisks: applicants must spend between $150,000 and $750,000 to be eligible to the program and couples earning over $200,000 or individuals earning over $125,000 are automatically ineligible.
The scheme only applies to residents who would live in the home, and does not apply to investment properties or for additions outside the home such as pools, saunas, or sheds.
Nevertheless, it comes as welcome news to Riverina Master Builders Association president Rowan Towse, who said the grant would bring back jobs for Wagga's tradies.
"From online meetings and conferences I've heard local guys say there's been a loss in confidence, so hopefully this turns that around and we can start building," Mr Towse said.
"Hopefully this keeps the wheels turning, because there has been a concern about work drying up for some builders, so I'm hoping this gets some more contracts over the line."
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Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said the grant was intended to kickstart Wagga's economy, which has been hit hard by the lockdown.
"The building sector is one of the ways that Wagga Wagga, indeed the Riverina, indeed the nation can recover from COVID-19," Mr McCormack said.
"We want to see a tradie-led recovery - we want to see building sites with lots of people in high-vis, lots of hammers, lots of activity happening."
Mr McCormack said he estimates about 27,000 people will take up the government's offer, amounting to well over half a billion dollars in grants.
Wayne Carter Homes builder Wayne Carter said he was looking forward to seeing more extensions and renovation jobs down the track, with many '80s-style Wagga houses being due for a makeover.
Mr Carter said he was starting to feel less gloomy about the future, saying he was looking forward to working with his fellow builders to get Australia's economy ticking again.
"It's been heartening to see we've been recognised as an industry that can help lead the present situation," Mr Carter said.
"It'll certainly put that confidence back into that dinted persona we were starting to feel."
Applications for the HomeBuilder grant open on midnight, and they can be made at a Revenue NSW office.
Kenji Sato
Kenji Sato is a handsome journalist at The Daily Advertiser who enjoys writing flattering bios about himself in the third person. He can be contacted by email at kenji.sato@dailyadvertiser.com.au or by mobile on 0448 927 612.
Kenji Sato is a handsome journalist at The Daily Advertiser who enjoys writing flattering bios about himself in the third person. He can be contacted by email at kenji.sato@dailyadvertiser.com.au or by mobile on 0448 927 612.
