Building sector on shaky ground as supplies strangled, costs soar

The foundations of the Australian housing construction industry may not be crumbling but are looking decidedly shaky in the face of mounting problems driving some established builders to the wall.

The Federal government’s Homebuilder scheme had provided a temporary stimulus during trying pandemic times but has had the unintended side effect of denting supply of construction materials such as brick, timber and steel.

Some materials costs have go…