The Western Australian government will provide up to AU$4 million in funding to support the recommissioning of the Austral brickworks in Cardup, aiming to tackle supply constraints driven by unprecedented housing demand across the state.
The shuttered facility, operated by parent company Brickworks, was mothballed in April 2023. Once operational, the restart is expected to boost Western Australia’s overall brick supply by 10 to 15 per cent, delivering approximately 17 million Maxibricks per year.
Under the state agreement, the AU$4 million funding package comprises a AU$3 million upfront contribution for essential repairs and maintenance, alongside two AU$500,000 performance incentive payments tied to resuming operations by March 2027 and reaching the 17-million brick target within 12 months.
The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation is also assisting with licence updates, including a potential 10-year extension for the plant.
Since the Cardup site was closed, state housing commencements have surged past 24,200, including roughly 19,500 detached homes, a rise of more than 50 per cent. The state maintains the nation’s highest proportion of double-brick residential construction, putting immense pressure on building supplies.
“This AU$4 million in funding will support the recommissioning of the Cardup brickworks and boost brick supply in Western Australia by 10–15 per cent,” said WA Treasurer Rita Saffioti.
Manufacturing Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said the initiative will support local jobs while helping ease trade delays.
The measure complements other state housing programs, including AU$49 million in Housing Innovation Fund grants and $48 million toward advanced manufacturing facilities for modular and prefabricated homes.
Industry bodies have strongly welcomed the move. Master Builders Western Australia CEO Matt Moran called it a pragmatic decision that offers greater certainty for builders facing cost and supply pressures, while Housing Industry Association Executive Director Michael McGowan noted that increased local availability will help reduce construction delays across the state’s substantial housing pipeline.
