SENTIMENT TURNS

OCT 2010

THERE are signs of improvement across the nation’s construction sector with a slight increase in positive sentiment, according to international property and construction consultants Davis Langdon.

The Davis Langdon Construction Sentiment Index has inched up by two points to reach 63 compared to six months ago. The research canvasses the views and sentiment of approximately 1800 construction related business across the country.

Davis Langdon managing director Mark Beattie, says an encouraging proportion of industry participants reported increased levels of new business from the private sector.

“The industry continues to face a reoccurring set of obstacles and a mixed outlook in terms of workload, however, labour force capacity constraints are not as prevalent,” he says.

The survey indicated that civil, resource and health sectors would be the best performers over the next 12 months.

Civil and resource was nominated by 72 percent of respondents as the likely best performing sector, as was health and aged care which was tipped by 66 percent of respondents.

In the growth state of WA, 71 per cent of respondents anticipated an increase in workload over the next 12 months while Queensland recorded just 10 per cent.