Construction Training Fund<\/a> program should be expanded to prioritise these areas,\u201d Professor Duncan said.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe report also found that if every spare bedroom across the state was added together, it would amount to 1.45 million bedrooms across WA. Even if every dwelling with at least one unused bedroom were to use one of those rooms for another purpose, that leaves 675,000 spare bedrooms as vacant capacity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe extraordinary rate of vacant housing capacity points to two major issues in Western Australian housing,\u201d Professor Duncan said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe first is that we are failing to use our current housing stock efficiently, and the second is that the diversity of housing stock remains inadequate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cImproving the diversity of available housing options in WA and reducing transactions costs from stamp duty will encourage more \u2018rightsizing\u2019 among homeowners, which will release vacant housing capacity and improve the efficiency with which WA\u2019s current dwelling stock is being used.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The report also shows the high attrition of WA\u2019s construction sector workforce to other industries, particularly the resources and manufacturing sectors, and to other states, particularly Queensland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRetaining skilled workers and new trainees is especially challenging for WA\u2019s building and construction industry given the lure of other industry sectors, and this is why relocation and apprenticeship packages need to be designed to incentivise retention and prevent skills leakage,\u201d Professor Duncan said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cContracting practices need improvement to protect both consumers and builders, and the government should pilot new contracting approaches for public projects and invest in off-site and modular construction to diversify housing options.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Report co-author Dr Adam Crowe from the Curtin-AHURI Research Centre at Curtin University said the construction sector has an important role to play in WA\u2019s net zero transition through the sustainability of its practices, and the progressive reduction of its carbon emissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe environmental performance of WA\u2019s construction industry over time has seen a steady and consistent decline in aggregate carbon emissions since 2007,\u201d Dr Crowe said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The report highlights green construction as a priority if WA is to meet net zero, with the government needing to encourage investment in low and zero-carbon building processes and incentivise reduced carbon and recycling materials. Training the workforce in sustainable construction methods is also essential for meeting climate goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cStrengthening local procurement and supply chains can help local businesses compete for contracts and the government should lead by example, setting high environmental standards for its buildings and procurement processes,\u201d Dr Crowe said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The report also recommends clear energy efficiency standards and mandatory energy performance disclosures for new developments. Carbon market mechanisms should be flexible and focus on actual emissions reductions rather than shifting high-carbon production elsewhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe delivery of sustainable housing by the construction sector can have a significant continued influence on carbon emissions reductions,\u201d Dr Crowe said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt must not be forgotten that how the state\u2019s building and infrastructure assets are used throughout their life cycle also contribute to the achievement of the state\u2019s emissions targets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA strong, efficient and innovative construction industry is integral to the state\u2019s future economic, social and environmental success.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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