Copper theft crisis threatens to derail Australia’s housing projects

An Aussie electrician says rampant copper theft is compounding delays in new home construction, as tradies are increasingly targeted by brazen thieves looking to cash in on valuable materials.

Jay Kinnell, an electrician working to alleviate Melbourne’s housing shortage, has revealed he’s been hit by copper wire theft five times this year alone, causing project delays and financial strain.

Kinnell told Yahoo News that thieves are regularly stripping copper from half-finished homes in the middle of the night, adding further pressure to an already stretched industry.

“Aircon guys get swamped, but electricians probably have it the worst because our cables are worth the most amount of money, and it’s the easiest thing to pull out of a house,” he said.

The most recent incident occurred at a construction site in Preston, in Melbourne’s northeast.

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He shared his frustration on social media. Source: @jay.the.sparky/TikTok

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While builder’s insurance typically covers the theft, Kinnell said he often has to redo the work at a discounted rate to help out builders impacted by the crime.

“We’re operating at a partial loss, but it definitely leaves us with a ‘break-even’ repair,” he explained, expressing his frustration with the impact of the illegal behaviour.

Copper theft is a growing problem across Australia, with construction sites being prime targets due to unsupervised materials left overnight.

Just last week, CCTV footage captured a thief disguised with a box over his head stealing $40,000 worth of copper wire and equipment from a construction site near Ballarat, Victoria. Last year, thieves dressed as tradies were caught on camera stealing copper from a Queensland construction site.

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Alleged copper thieves were caught on CCTV last year as they rob an Energex site. Authorities say it’s a recurring issue across Queensland. Source: 9News

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Another tradie in Coffs Harbour, NSW, lost $300 after thieves ripped out piping from under a home.

The Australian Institute of Criminology estimates that metal theft costs Australia over $100 million annually, with Queensland experiencing a threefold increase in the crime since 2020. Copper is commonly stolen from vacant homes, construction sites, and infrastructure, leading to major disruptions, potentially exacerbating the housing crisis as builders grapple with rising expenses and project delays.

According to industry experts, thieves generally steal copper because of its high scrap metal value, selling it at unregulated scrap yards and online marketplaces for cash.