The Schrinner Council has spearheaded a Brisbane renovation boom, waiving and discounting more than $1.8 million in fees over the past nine months for nearly 2000 residents that kickstarted new builds or renovations.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the savings, delivered by the Economic Recovery Taskforce, supported Brisbane residents in adding value to their homes while keeping demand for the local construction industry firing.
“We know every cent counts during a home renovation and our fee discounts have helped residents stretch their dollar further and have that extra money up their sleeve in the project budget,” Cr Schrinner said.
“With more renovators engaging with local contractors, the economic stimulus has also helped drive demand for tradies, supporting an additional 1000 jobs in the building and construction industry and $100 million to the local economy.
“Residents from 150 suburbs have taken advantage of the discounts, with Bardon, Camp Hill and Paddington the top three suburbs for renovations followed closely by Pallara and Bulimba.”
Housing Industry Australia Queensland Executive Director Mike Roberts said creating jobs whilst helping people to renovate or build a new home has been a win-win for the city.
“The chaos caused by the initial onset of the global pandemic created significant concerns for the economic stability of the region and there was a call for governments to put in place initiatives that would assist in keeping people in work and stimulate the broader economy,” Mr Roberts said.
“Brisbane City Council recognised that stimulating building activity would deliver significant community wide benefits.
“With renovation activity at record levels off the back of so many people spending more time at home over the last twelve months, incentives that assisted projects of all sizes to commence were welcome and Brisbane residents had the opportunity to benefit in a very personal way with improvements to their home.”
Cr Schrinner said residents embarked on a range of major and minor renovation works, with fee discounts supporting new housing and major extensions as well as smaller scale works such as adding another room, garage, pool, deck, carport or shed.
“Teamed with other new initiatives aimed at delivering faster, more efficient assessments – including Council’s House and Home assessment team – the scheme has helped to boost the average yearly application to build or renovate by 37% year on year,” he said.
“It’s not just residents that have benefitted from the scheme, with 57 non-for-profit organisations and community groups saving $350,000 in development application fees.”
The development fee discounts are part of millions of dollars in relief from fees, rent and charges which the Schrinner Council has delivered through the Economic Recovery Taskforce.
Top 10 Suburbs for Renovations:
- PADDINGTON – 56
- CAMP HILL – 51
- BARDON – 50
- BULIMBA – 42
- NEW FARM – 42
- WYNNUM- 41
- PALLARA – 41
- ASHGROVE – 39
- KEDRON – 37
- HAWTHORNE – 37