Modern Methods of Construction Taskforce

The NSW Government Modern Methods of Construction Taskforce (the MMC Taskforce) was established in November 2023 to help drive, shape, and demonstrate the use and potential for off-site manufacturing in NSW Government housing projects.

The taskforce is focused on providing advice, feedback and facilitating dialogue on:

Applying MMC to deliver faster quality social housing (including teacher and police housing) in NSW.
Demonstrate how MMC can generate increased demand for the supply of MMC homes in social and other types of housing.
Identify challenges to innovation and adoption of MMC across the sector.
Define how MMC can be successfully integrated into the housing system in NSW.
Advocate for the use and adoption of MMC to deliver more homes in NSW.
Advocate for the growth and capacity building of the MMC industry and its workforce.

Taskforce members

The taskforce is co-chaired by Michael Wheatley, A/Head of Housing Portfolio, Homes NSW, and David Haller, Board Director, prefabAus. Members include peak bodies representing housing and homelessness, construction, manufacturing, communities, residents, and local government.

All taskforce members

Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU)
Association of Australian Certifiers (AAC)
Australian Institute of Architects - NSW
Australian Institute of Building Surveyors (AIBS)
Building Products Industry Council (BPIC)
Building 4.0 Co-operate Research Centre (Building 4.0 CRC)
Community Housing Industry Association (CHIA) NSW
Engineers Australia
Faith Housing Alliance
Frame & Truss Manufacturers Association of Australia (FTMA)
Housing Industry Association (HIA) NSW
Housing Now!
Business NSW
Homes NSW
Local Government NSW
Master Builders Association (MBA) NSW
Planning Institute of Australia (PIA)
prefabAUS
Property Council of Australia - NSW
Shelter NSW
NSW Teachers Federation
Think Brick Australia
Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) NSW

Industry working groups

Working groups were established to address key challenges and opportunities identified by the taskforce.

The working groups will report to the taskforce and allow opportunities for interested industry partners to contribute to the overall ongoing work of the taskforce.

Key themes for working groups

At the initial launch, participants have identified 4 key topics and challenges to address:

More homes

Provide a consistent, transparent, visible, and reliable pipeline.
Efficiencies are achieved through standardisation, repetitious designs and visibility of a long-term pipeline.
Factories have consistent overheads, so a clear “pipeline” is most important.
Consider different models using a hybrid modern method of construction and traditional construction.

Planning and regulation

Work with regulatory bodies to streamline planning and building regulations to accommodate MMC whilst ensuring safety and quality standards.
Work with local and state governments to provide certainty through the planning system. This could be through a pre-approved or regularised plan. To ensure that there is a fast, efficient, and risk-averse approval system to give confidence to investors and other financial institutions.

Building the industry

Delivering demonstration projects to inform a broader program and enable certainty of investment.
Considering collaborative contract models to reflect MMC.
Create more accessible procurement methods.
Looking for opportunities to build capacity of the MMC industry through training and apprenticeships.

The journey to adoption

Collaborate across the nation to build confidence in and knowledge of MMC. With exemplar projects demonstrating quality design, and consistent standards and certification.
Create high quality design and deliver higher sustainability performance and communities people love.

Taskforce updates

Updates and key insights from quarterly taskforce meetings

Taskforce launch – November 2023

The taskforce was launched on 27 November 2023 at Meadowbank TAFE by NSW Premier Chris Minns, and the Minister for Housing and Homelessness, Honourable Rose Jackson. The Minister highlighted the urgent need for more housing and the potential of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) to boost economic growth and job creation.

Michael Wheatley outlined housing needs and the role of social housing.

Homes NSW introduced MMC objectives to deliver quality social housing faster.

Damien Crough from prefabAUS discussed MMC benefits and the industry roadmap.

The Building Commissioner of NSW reviewed the complex framework, and efforts to develop a unified Building Act for safe, compliant homes.

Taskforce members were split into four groups: more homes, planning and regulation, building the industry, and the journey to adoption. The key insights from these groups can be found below.

Focus areas	Key insights
More homes	Provide a consistent, transparent, visible, and reliable pipeline. Achieved efficiencies through standardisation, repetitious designs, and visibility of a long-term pipeline. Hybrid models of MMC and traditional construction to build capability, awareness and understanding.
Planning and regulation	Engage regulatory bodies to ensure safety and quality standards. Engage local and state governments to provide consistent, efficient, and risk-averse planning approval systems in place.
Building the industry	Demonstration projects to increase awareness. Accessible government procurement methods to increase participation of suppliers. Government sponsored training programs to support industry growth.
Journey to adoption	Create high quality designs, deliver higher sustainability standards, and develop communities people love. Collaborate nationally and internationally to ensure consistent quality, standards, and certifications.

Taskforce meeting Q1 – 14 March 2024

The MMC Taskforce held its first meeting on 14 March 2024 at the Institute of Applied Technology Construction Centre in Kingswood on Dharug Country.

Homes NSW CEO, Rebecca Pinkstone outlined her vision for Homes NSW and MMC opportunities.

Michael Wheatley provided an overview of workstreams and feedback from the November 2023 launch.

Members discussed key focus areas: more homes and the journey to adoption, and creating a consistent MMC pipeline. David Haller led a conversation on metrics for taskforce success.

Members offered strategic suggestions on tenant outcomes and the housing crisis, showing alignment with program goals.

After the meeting, members toured the Institute to learn about collaborations between vocational education, industry, and universities, which provides fast-track training for skills in demand and micro-credential programs in emerging industries, including these needed for MMC.

Focus area	Key insights
More homes	The need for flexible and adaptable designs for intergenerational homes. Looking internationally for inspiration and lessons learned, such as housing in Japan and the ability to deconstruct. Clarity is required around pipeline of work – type of work, workers, locations, and providers of the pipeline. Issues pertaining to secondary and multi-dwellings need to be addressed.
Journey to adoption	Innovative industry training and education to support young builders. Developing studies to demonstrate efficiencies needed to encourage adoption. Innovative and creative designs to reduce social stigma. Building “beautiful” homes. Tenant engagement to ensure housing is fit for purpose.
Measures of success	Demonstrate versatility of MMC to support efficient delivery. Expected reduction in warranty repairs and costs. Streamlined builds reduce wait time and homelessness. Regulations to support: Consistent quality output in design and manufacturing. Quality check points by relevant qualified professionals. Standardisation to encourage recognition by financial providers.

Taskforce meeting Q2 – 26 June 2024

The MMC Taskforce held its Q2 meeting on 26 June 2024 at Dexus, Sydney CBD on Gadigal Country.

Michael Wheatley provided an overview of the work streams: Small homes, Northern Rivers, Teacher and Police Housing, and research and development (R&D) with Building 4.0 Cooperative Research Centre (CRC).

Daniel Hill updated the taskforce on progress, including concept designs, site selection and approvals. Feedback from the May Sydney Build Expo panel was also discussed.

Angus Abadee from the NSW Building Commission updated on reforms noting draft consultation planned for late 2024.

Professor Mathew Aitchison from Building 4.0 CRC, presented R&D findings to date and strategy for sustainable change.

Members discussed success metrics for the MMC program and were divided into groups to address challenges and actions for success.

The session concluded with agreement on the importance of collaboration between government and industry.

Focus area	Key insights
More homes	Engage and develop case studies and learnings from tenants and industry participants. Identify the key challenges faced by the construction industry, which MMC can help to address.
Planning and regulation	Create understanding of MMC to grow knowledge and increase support from financial providers, users, and wider communities. Supportive policy and assessment environment to attract developers. Regulations designed to ensure consistent quality in the marketplace.
Building the industry	Government policies and initiatives to support the growth of industry capabilities and the construction lifecycle. Design principles need to align with the construction methods. Training plans need to encompass broad skills to ensure cohesive sites and product delivery.
Journey to adoption	Engage with Community Housing Providers to ensure their needs are incorporated into the program and share insights and outcomes on how to adopt MMC. Engage in consultations to establish training opportunities, including initiatives designed for tenants and communities. Opportunity to define and refine language to ensure consistency and understanding across industry, government and the community.

For more information email Homes NSW Modern Methods of Construction team via homesnsw-hp-mmc@homes.nsw.gov.au