A small Western Australian town is betting on 3D-printed houses to break a logjam that is stopping businesses from hiring the workers they need.

Gnowangerup, 350 kilometres south-east of Perth, has growing manufacturing and transport businesses but not enough houses to put workers in. Local not-for-profit Harvest has bought land and is partnering with specialist builder Hous3D to print homes on site, ABC Great Southern reports.

Harvest manager Graeme Paterson said the technology would cut construction time to around 10 weeks and bring costs down by 20 to 30 per cent compared with conventional builds.

The housing shortage is hitting businesses hard. Garry Richardson, part-owner of road transport equipment company Duraquip, said 80 per cent of his workforce are sponsored skilled migrants. He said every time the company looks to expand, the first question is where a new employee will live. Caleb Richardson, owner of Auspan, said his factory has more orders than staff to fill them and that more housing would let the town attract and keep skilled workers.

For a town of 1,200 people, the stakes are real. If the first 3D-printed homes come in on time and on budget, Gnowangerup could offer a model for other regional towns watching their populations shrink.

Frequently asked questions

How does 3D-printed home construction work?

A large robotic printer extrudes layers of a concrete-like mixture to build walls on site, reducing labour needs and cutting construction time significantly compared with conventional building methods.

How much cheaper are 3D-printed homes?

According to Harvest manager Graeme Paterson, 3D-printed homes in Gnowangerup are expected to cost 20 to 30 per cent less than conventionally built houses.

How long does it take to 3D-print a house?

Paterson said the technology would reduce construction time to around 10 weeks per home.

Why does Gnowangerup have a housing shortage?

The town’s manufacturing and transport industries have grown, increasing demand for workers, but there are not enough houses to accommodate them. Employers such as Duraquip and Auspan say the lack of housing is the main barrier to expansion.

Sourced from ABC Great Southern. Original article.