Modular housing put forward as alternate solution to home shortage before 2032 Olympics

Modular housing professionals are calling for Queensland to build more movable homes ahead of the 2032 Olympic Games, to get ahead of the expected housing shortage across the state.

Around 40,000 additional apartments are estimated to be needed before the Olympics in less than six years, with developments such as the Olympic Athletes Village expected to bring forth only a fraction of that amount.

Meanwhile, current building times will leave the state with an estimate of 11,100 fewer hotel rooms than what is needed for visitors by the time of the games.

Head of Australian housing company Modular Construction Masters, Terry Gordon, told the Australian Financial Review there were benefits to easy-to-build homes not being properly considered.

“We build aircraft, cars, medical equipment and all technology in factories except our homes,” he said. “We’ve got to change the way we look at things.”

Around 40,000 more apartments are expected to be needed before the Olympic and Paralympic Games, while estimated hotels might be 11,100 rooms short. Picture: John Gass

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Modular housing companies claimed their methods could reduce half the time and cost for home builds needed across the state.

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Modular Construction Masters modelling claimed up to half the time and cost could be saved by building these flexible homes overseas, then transporting them to Australia when ready.

Mr Gordon’s team suggested Australian-built modular homes would still eat into the demand for builders within the country, while offshore construction could be cheaper while still meeting Australian compliance standards.

“I see a lot of value in the higher-density products, residential apartments, and affordable housing accommodation for essential workers,” Mr Gordon said.

By the time of the games, around 4.5 million people will be living in South-East Queensland, with demand rapidly outpacing housing supply. Picture: Liam Kidston

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“With the rezoning in some metro areas, we have the opportunity to build quality and quickly, and then student accommodation as well.”

The population of South-East Queensland is expected to hit 4.5m by the time of the games, and is estimated to reach up to 5m by 2036.

According to KPMG analysis of Australian Bureau of Statistics data, the state’s population had jumped by 2.2 per cent since 2020, above the 1.5 per cent national average.