The National Reconstruction Fund will invest $120 million into a $240 million advanced manufacturing project north of Perth, expected to produce 2,000 apartments annually once fully operational. The announcement also includes a $20 million grant from the Western Australian government and a $100 million equity investment from Wesfarmers, the retail conglomerate that owns Kmart, Bunnings and Officeworks.
The Built Living project, commencing before the end of the year, will use advanced manufacturing to construct residential apartments at scale. According to government projections, the method will deliver apartments up to 20 percent cheaper and up to 50 percent faster than conventional building techniques.
Industry Minister Tim Ayres commented on the initiative:
Australia needs to build more homes, but we also need to build more capability. This project brings advanced manufacturing into the housing supply chain, lifting productivity and helping deliver more homes for Australians.
What will this project deliver?
Once fully operational, the facility will have the capacity to manufacture 2,000 apartments annually, addressing Australia's housing shortage through faster and more cost-effective production methods than traditional construction approaches.
Shark attack survivor marks recovery milestone
Leah Stewart, who was attacked by a shark at Sydney's Coogee Beach on June 13, has expressed gratitude to those who supported her through her recovery journey. In a message posted to her fundraising campaign, she wrote:
After what has been an incredibly difficult few months, I'm so happy that I've progressed enough to build some independence, and I can finally see some light after all of this.
Stewart sustained severe injuries in the attack, including the amputation of one arm, and spent time in a medically induced coma before undergoing multiple surgeries. According to international news reports, her fundraising campaign has reached approximately A$558,000, with the money supporting her rehabilitation and care for her daughter.
How is Stewart's recovery progressing?
Stewart is continuing extensive rehabilitation following the attack, with further recovery and support efforts still underway. Her message to supporters signals meaningful progress in her physical and emotional healing after the traumatic incident.
Penguin vaccination program expands against bird flu
Authorities in Victoria have begun vaccinating little penguins on Phillip Island against the H5 strain of bird flu. The island, located south-west of Melbourne, is home to a 5,000-strong colony of the species, which returns to the same burrows along the same paths each night, making them ideal candidates for the vaccination effort.
According to recent updates on the vaccination program, approximately 1,000 first doses have been administered on Phillip Island, with a second dose planned in three to four weeks. The vaccination initiative is being described as a two-dose rollout requiring about 10,000 doses in total to protect the penguin population.
The campaign was triggered by the discovery of a seal that died from bird flu, marking the first confirmed mainland mammal fatality from the virus in Australia. This development prompted rapid mobilisation of the vaccination effort to protect vulnerable wildlife populations.
What makes this penguin program significant?
Victoria's penguin vaccination program is targeting more than 5,000 little penguins across Phillip Island and St Kilda, with individual birds being microchipped as part of the process. According to wildlife authorities, the bird-flu vaccine rollout is unprecedented in scale for wildlife and is believed to be the world's largest wild-bird vaccination program to date.
What happens next?
The penguin vaccination program will continue with second doses administered in three to four weeks following the initial inoculations. Stewart is expected to continue her rehabilitation journey with ongoing support from the community and medical professionals assisting in her recovery.
Key Facts
- The Built Living project will invest $240 million into advanced manufacturing capacity to produce 2,000 apartments annually north of Perth
- Leah Stewart, shark attack survivor from June 13, has raised approximately A$558,000 through her fundraising campaign for rehabilitation and family support
- Victoria's penguin vaccination program represents the world's largest wild-bird vaccination effort, targeting over 5,000 little penguins with microchipping and a two-dose vaccine schedule
- The first confirmed mainland mammal death from H5 bird flu in Australia prompted the urgent launch of the penguin vaccination initiative
