The Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC) released its new Focus on Industry series report, Building the Dream: The future of Western Australia’s construction industry, at a well-attended launch event this week.

The report delves into the key challenges facing WA’s construction industry, providing valuable insights into the sector’s future and its potential contributions to the state’s economic, social and environmental landscape.

Approximately 250 government representatives, stakeholders, academics and industry leaders gathered at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre to hear the report’s findings presented by lead authors Professor Alan Duncan, BCEC Director, and Dr Adam Crowe, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Curtin.

The event commenced with a Welcome to Country by Karen Jacobs, Indigenous Economic Solutions Principal, followed by opening remarks from David Scaife MLA, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Planning; Lands; Housing; Homelessness.

A panel discussion, hosted by Nadia Mitsopoulos, ABC Radio Perth Journalist and Presenter, featured experts: Tiffany Allen, Construction Training Fund CEO; Kaylene Gulich, WA Treasury Corporation CEO; Michael McGowan, Housing Industry Association WA Executive Director; and Luke Parker, OP Properties Founding Director. Professor Melinda Fitzgerald, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, concluded the formalities with a Vote of Thanks.

Thank you to Professor Duncan, Dr Crowe, the BCEC team and all involved in the successful launch of this insightful report. Read more about the findings in our media release.

L-R: Peter Bouhlas (Bankwest, Homebuying General Manager), Professor Melinda Fitzgerald, Nadia Mitsopoulos, Kaylene Gulich, David Scaife MLA, Professor Alan Duncan, Dr Adam Crowe, Karen Jacobs, Tiffany Allen, Michael McGowan and Luke Parker.
Dr Adam Crowe presenting report findings.