The Queensland Productivity Commission’s Interim Report into construction productivity might not make front-page headlines, but for those of us in the trenches of property development, homebuilding, and investment, it’s a potential game-changer.
Yes, the numbers are sobering. Productivity in our sector has dropped 9% since 2018.
That means we now need 9% more labour to produce the same output.
But here’s the kicker: had productivity held steady, Queensland could have delivered 77,000 additional dwellings.
That’s not just a missed opportunity, it’s a wake-up call.
For homebuilders, this report validates what many have been feeling: approvals are slow, regulations are layered, and costs are climbing. But it also offers hope.
The Commission’s reform agenda, spanning procurement, land use, building regulation, and labour market operation, could streamline the entire development process. Imagine faster approvals, clearer building codes, and smarter sequencing of government projects.
For investors, the message is equally compelling.
The report highlights that the construction industry isn’t inherently unproductive, it has just been hamstrung by overlapping challenges.
With reforms in motion, we’re looking at a sector poised for resurgence.
And in a market where housing demand continues to outpace supply, productivity gains translate directly into opportunity: more projects, faster delivery, and stronger returns.
At Metropole, we see this as a pivotal moment.
The Commission’s findings confirm what many of us have long known: the challenges are real, but so are the solutions.
This isn’t just another report, it’s a call to action.
If Queensland embraces these reforms, we’re looking at a construction sector that’s faster, smarter, and more responsive to the needs of our communities.
That means more homes delivered, more investment unlocked, and more confidence across the board.
For developers, it’s a chance to build with greater certainty.
For investors, it’s a signal that Queensland is serious about creating a more agile and productive market.
And for homebuyers, it’s the promise of a future where housing supply can finally keep pace with demand.
The construction industry may have lost ground, but this is our moment to reclaim it.
