Regional NSW council leads the way in 3D printing our housing future

A western NSW council is leading the way in innovative housing solutions, with the NSW Government backing the push to roll out the state’s first 3D-printed houses.

Aboriginal Sustainable Homes (ASH) will work in partnership with Contour3D to transform a vacant block of land in Dubbo into two two-bedroom duplexes.

The innovative step was made possible by Dubbo Regional Council’s decision two years ago to allocate land specifically for a 3D-printed prototype and to test the technology.

Mayor Mathew Dickerson explained that one councillor brought forward the proposal that was unanimously supported in mid-2022.

“The idea was to reserve four blocks of land in a council-owned housing estate, and we just thought it made so much sense given that we’ve got a housing crisis,” he said.

“As we progressed forward, we needed to get our planning staff on board to make sure they could actually process a DA [development application] and then the opportunity came up for an amenities block that needed to be replaced.

“We thought it made a lot of sense to use 3D printing and it actually became a bit of a spectator sport watching the process.

“I think it really captured the imagination of many people and the proof was in the pudding.”

The project involved 25 tonnes of concrete over 149 sqm, the printing was completed in just 25 hours and the final product came in under the allocated budget.

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.”

Construction of the first 3D-printed social home in New South Wales is scheduled to start in late September and is expected to be completed within 16 weeks as opposed to the roughly 40 weeks required by traditional methods.

Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said a more widespread rollout could form part of the solution to address the housing crisis.

“Utilising modern methods of construction like this 3D-printing technology is critically important to delivering social and affordable homes sooner, especially in regional and remote areas,” she said.

ASH managing director Brad Draper said it was an exciting project to be involved in.

“As an Aboriginal company, we are proud to deliver these quality homes that will have far-reaching benefits for residents long into the future,” he said.

“ASH has a strong track record in working with the AHO [Aboriginal Housing Office] and we look forward to delivering another successful project for the local community.”