The NSW Government and Contour3D have completed the state’s first 3D-printed houses in Dubbo, with plans to expand the project. Image: NSW Government.
Dubbo may have cracked the code on solving the country’s housing crisis, and it is garnering the attention of Riverina locals.
Last week, the city became the first in the state to have a house completely built using a large-scale 3D printer. The two printed homes were constructed in less than 20 weeks, with the printing of materials taking less than three weeks. The two-bedroom homes offer social housing for Indigenous people.
The homes were created using about 70 tonnes of Contourcrete, a specially developed 3D-printable concrete mix produced by Contour3D. The concrete structures were printed in just 16 days.
The homes will be ready for residents to move into this month, providing energy-efficient, low-maintenance housing built with recycled, environmentally friendly materials.
This first-of-its-kind build was a partnership between Aboriginal Sustainable Homes (ASH), Contour3D and the NSW Aboriginal Housing Office (AHO).
With the success of the Dubbo housing project, some stakeholders from across the Riverina are calling for it to become a widespread practice.
Wagga City Councillor Richard Foley has been advocating for the Riverina to get on the front foot with 3D-printed houses and said he hoped local governments would take note.
“It’s fantastic to see that a regional council like Dubbo has taken the lead, and it’s something I will continue to push forward to see if we can get it on the agenda,” he said.
“There are real solutions and cost savings here, not to mention how quickly you can get it done.”
Cr Foley works in the construction industry as a plasterer and said the technology would not have a negative impact on local tradespeople.
“We just don’t have people coming up as bricklayers anymore, and it doesn’t put finishing trades or other trades out of work,” he said.
“We are now entering the third decade of the 21st century, and we may need to discard some of the older ways and get on with the future.”
Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said the NSW Government was proud of the project taking shape and she was looking forward to seeing the first tenants move in.
“We’re proud to be the first to use 3D-printing technology for social housing in NSW – and even prouder to see it completed,” she said.
“This is just the beginning. The success of this pilot proves that 3D printing can help us build quality homes faster, particularly in regional and remote areas where demand is high.
“This project shows that the NSW Government is committed to exploring every option to build more social and affordable homes faster, especially in regional and remote areas with strong housing demand.
“This project shows what’s possible when government, industry and community work together to find smart, sustainable solutions to the housing crisis.”
