NSW Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope visited the University of Wollongong’s Innovation Campus on Thursday, 12 December.
Minister Tudehope was impressed to see the progress of the project which will deliver cyclone-proof buildings to parts of the Northern Territory.
The project has involved a collaboration between a small family business and University of Wollongong (UOW), and $15,000 in support from the NSW Government.
Minister Tudehope said the NSW Government’s $18 million Boosting Business Innovation Program is giving small businesses access to research organisations to help them reach their potential.
Wollongong-based social entrepreneur Ryan Mullaney of Lifting Point Construction Technologies has developed the ‘BuiltQuik’ housing frame system with engineering design support from SMEC.
The BuiltQuik steel frame housing modules are designed to be easily transported and assembled in remote communities with other materials and labour sourced locally to support housing, jobs and skills development.
Mr Mullaney said the BuiltQuik system was designed to provide safe and affordable housing that could withstand category 5 cyclones with wind speeds up to 255+km/h.
“Through BuiltQuik we aim to not only provide secure housing to remote indigenous communities, but also train and empower local residents through their construction,” Mr Mullaney said.