GOVERNMENT plans to ensure long-term investment in public infrastructure and increase the supply of affordable homes will make a “significant difference” to Jersey’s construction sector, according to the managing director of one of the Island’s main building merchants.
Normans’ Martina McGibney said that Jersey’s building and construction sector “continues to operate in very challenging conditions”, citing post-Covid rises in raw material prices as an example.
The industry has seen the collapse of a number of major firms in recent years, including Style Group, Camerons, JP Mauger and Kalmac.
Employment in the construction sector has dropped by 9% over the past two years – equivalent to around 500 workers.
But Ms McGibney expressed optimism, and said she felt that the government’s ‘Investing in Jersey’ programme “will bring significant opportunity to the Island”.
Unveiled in August, the programme sets out how the Government will invest in housing, schools, roads, water and drainage systems, coastal defences, public buildings and shared community spaces over the next 25 years.
Ms McGibney said: “They’re looking at more affordable homes for Islanders, modern schools, improved youth facilities and then also looking at higher education campuses, which is all great news.”
She also highlighted the “community-focused elements” such as play areas and sports infrastructure, as well as planned investment in roads, water and drainage networks.
The Government has said the initiative is underpinned by the newly established Jersey Capital Investment Fund, which is “designed to protect key infrastructure projects from short-term political pressures and economic volatility”.
Ms McGibney said the fund would make a “significant difference”.
However, the Chamber of Commerce Lee Madden said that the business lobby group remain concerned about the health of the industry – so much so, that they had sought an urgent meeting with the Chief Minister to discuss a number of recommendations to improve the sector spanning planning reform, capital spending and other “confidence-building measures”.
Writing in the October edition of Connect magazine, Mr Madden said: “I am pleased to confirm that the chief minister has agreed to meet… to discuss these recommendations in detail. This is a welcome step, but words must now be matched by visible action. The Chamber expects to see tangible progress and results by December 2025.”
Ms McGibney was reflecting on the health of the industry and what lies ahead as Normans – which was founded in 1840 as a cooper supplying barrels for Jersey’s fishing industry – marks its 185th anniversary.
To mark Normans’ milestone year, local professionals, builders, landscapers, and DIY enthusiasts have been invited to attend a special trade show event today. The free event, which will start at 12pm at the Grand Hotel, will see suppliers from the UK showcase the latest in construction technology, tools and building materials.
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