“We're putting roofs over people's heads at a time there is such a pressing need,” Phil says after the recent completion of the 65-unit expansion of the Queens Walk complex.

“It’s great to see the homes coming out of the ground and know we’re helping to tackle a real need. You can see the difference these projects make – it’s giving something back to the community and setting people up for a better future.

“There's a real satisfaction knowing that you're supporting the solution.”

Phil started with Fairbrother as a labourer about 17 years ago, before completing his apprenticeship and moving to estimating construction costs and project management roles.

Phil’s current role is to help projects stay on track, ensuring the teams have the resources they need, and helping to solve challenges before they affect delivering the project on time and on budget.

“It’s about making sure the people on the ground have what they need to do their jobs well,” he says.

“Bringing all the team together and working collaboratively to deliver a really positive outcome for the community.”

And that collaboration paid off, with the team able to complete the Queens Walk expansion within budget and ahead of schedule, delivering 65 new high-quality social and affordable rental homes that blend seamlessly into the existing site.

“The best outcomes come from working closely with everyone involved,” Phil says. “It’s about being smart with how we build.

“It saves time, reduces costs, and helps us focus on what really matters – delivering quality homes faster.”

Housing Choices Tasmania managed the expansion project, and Homes Tasmania provided a $22.5 million grant for the development, a $4 million grant for enabling infrastructure and site works and a $7 million repayable loan to Housing Choices Tasmania.

New social housing developments such as the Queens Walk expansion are delivering two significant outcomes for Tasmanians, Phil says.

They provide much needed, new homes for Tasmanians. In addition, the projects play an important role in training the next generation of builders and strengthening the state’s construction industry.

“These projects are great learning environments,” Phil explains. “Our apprentices get exposure to every type of construction – such as timber, concrete, cladding – all in a short timeframe.

“They see a project from start to finish and gain the skills they need to build Tasmania’s future.”

Beyond Queens Walk, Fairbrother is currently working on a range of other housing developments in partnership with Homes Tasmania and community housing providers, which will deliver even more new social housing homes for Tasmanians.