A Sunshine Coast building company is tackling the state’s growing housing crisis head on by providing affordable and innovative housing options to rural and regional Queenslanders.
Yandina-based Oly Homes, which this year celebrates its 50th year in business and is a finalist in the upcoming Sunshine Coast Business Awards, has unveiled a secondary construction yard in Chevallum to cater to the growing demand for modular, factory-built commercial and housing projects.
Oly Homes managing director Dale Funston said modular homes would help ease the rental crisis with the State Government last week announcing it would now allow Queenslanders to rent out granny flats.
The change, which came into effect on 26 September, allows homeowners to rent secondary dwellings for the next three years under the emergency planning changes. It is expected the amendment will create housing for thousands of Queenslanders.
Mr Funston said it was wonderful news that those struggling to find affordable housing could now access these secondary dwellings.
“The Sunshine Coast is grappling with its worst-ever rental crisis,” he said.
“For those people looking at renting out their granny flat, not only is the property occupied and they are receiving income, but now they can help someone in the community that needs housing for their family.
“That is so important. As someone who has worked in the construction industry for 52 years, I know firsthand the responsibility the building industry has to assist in providing adequate housing in a timely manner.
“At Oly Homes we have an ability to provide almost instantaneous housing options and we are open to talking to people who may be considering investing in a granny flat or smaller home. We pride ourselves on being the movers and shakers in the modular housing industry by pushing the envelope in what can be achieved in modernised modular building.
“We are well versed with the different councils and regions across the state and can provide adequate advice and guidelines.”
Oly Homes design a wide range of modular, factory-built homes and buildings that are constructed, delivered and installed on-site in around eight to 10 weeks.
The organisation, which boasts a combined 300 years of experience, also prides itself on not just providing vital housing, but contributing to economic infrastructure for people living in remote and rural centres.
“The second yard that has just opened at Chevallum will assist us in working on commercial and large-scale housing projects in those centres to assist the housing crisis,” Mr Funston said.
“Infrastructure means more people in those areas, which in turn means more capital and more job creation.
“These are areas that people tend to overlook because there is no housing available. There are many challenges facing these areas in regards to construction, including supply chain tardiness and disruption, higher material and labour costs, as well as a limited workforce.
“If we can provide housing that gentrifies those areas, we are making a difference state-wide economically and providing adequate housing options.
“We are providing a solution. A solution that generally takes around eight to 10 weeks from build to completion and full on-site installation.”
