Pre-fab homes prove popular

IT MAY have generated few headlines, but a housing revolution is slowly but surely taking place in small communities across Cape York Peninsula.

Pre-fabricated and transportable homes, created in Cairns, are becoming increasingly popular for both government departments and indigenous councils.

Business Week recently reported on CEC winning a $4.4 million to supply pre-fabricated homes for Kowanyama.

In the past three years, fellow Far Northern builder Gateway Constructions has developed a range of homes in conjunction with architect Gabriel Poole.

They have supplied homes to such places as Kowanyama, Coen, Bamaga, Hope Vale as well as Mossman closer to home.

They are now negotiating for a contract to assemble up to ten homes on Thursday Island in the Torres Strait.

Their homes include ranger stations throughout the Cape, teachers' accommodation at a Bamaga and Hope Vale as well as general residences in other communities.

Gateway MD Jim Margach said pre-fabricated homes made sense given the hassles of basing construction crews in remote areas.

"We were in Hope Vale Monday morning with a transportable and we left by Thursday night,'' he said.

Homes are moved to coastal communities by boat or barge, or on inland roads by truck.

Mr Margach said there was a big emphasis on being environmentally friendly, with homes made from plantation timber.

Building homes from timber allows for natural ventilation or 'breathable walls', cutting down on the need for air-conditioning.

Homes are typically made from timber, with galvanised steel posts, 19mm timber walls making them secure and cyclone proof.

"We actually see it as the way of building in the future,'' he said.

"A large percentage of people are going away from masonry as this type of building is much more comfortable.''

Gateway Constructions recently won a Australia Green Smart award from the Housing Industry Association.