Is there a re-emergence of concrete pre-cast in Australian housing?

Pre-cast concrete was extensively used in Government housing during the 1960s in Australia. However, its subsequent use has been minimal due to its poor public image. It has often been associated with poor socio-economic groups, poor performance, high initial costs, and generally unattractive designs. Although many of the perceptual 'barriers' persist in the Australian housing market, there appears to be an increasing awareness of the potential advantages of pre-cast housing. Technological advances are largely able to address the problems of performance and design. The barrier of cost remains, however, with evidence suggesting that this situation is changing. For instance, the last eighteen months have seen a vigorous attempt by Government to make construction sites safer, particularly forcing house builders to adopt stricter safety measures surrounding 'working at height'. Such measures coupled with the rising costs of more sophisticated light weight cladding systems, traditionally viewed as cheaper construction alternatives, have forced the overall price of wall systems upwards. Consequently pre-cast concrete systems are increasingly becoming viable alternatives. This paper specifically axamines the cost differential between pre-cast concrate and light weight wall systems in the Australian housing market. This is illustrated by reviewing the cost models of three case studies of recently constructed houses using pre-cast concrete as the main wall system. The cases clearly demonstrate the low cost differential between systems in the current economic climate. Coupled with other drivers, such as trade skill shortages, the diminishing cost barrier suggest that pre-cast concrete housing systems may again appear as significant contributors to Australian housing.