Bendigo builders warned to be vigilant on timber

Master Builders Victoria said timber supply shortages meant theft from building sites had increased dramatically recently, with anecdotal reports from parts of regional Victoria.

One local builder said theft from sites had been an issue for several years, but that his business had not experienced an increase.

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MBV executive director of growth and relationships Mell Greenall named Bendigo, Ballarat and Gippsland as among the areas affected.

Ms Greenall said the MBV was basing the warning on an increase in anecdotal reports of theft from members.

She said items such as copper and white goods had always been at risk of theft on building sites, but since shortages hit timber theft was increasing as well.

Ms Greenall urged builders to "be vigilant", and coordinate their delivery schedules with installation to minimise the amount of time goods sat out on site.

She said more and more MBV members were installing security cameras and lighting.

"This is really having an impact on our builders and our tradespeople who are absolutely reliant on those products to keep their business going," Ms Greenall said.

"We know that materials are in short supply. We are seeing those shortages really start to take bite."

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Bendigo builder Murray Wearne said theft of timber from building sites had been an issue for three to four years.

Mr Wearne said theft was mainly from building sites on new estates, where no one was living, often overnight or on weekends.

He said it was normally not big enough to put in an insurance claim, but losses could run from a few hundred to a few thousand.

Mr Wearne said a shortage of timber for builds was still ongoing.

Ms Greenall said MBV was not expecting any relief on shortages soon, as it was a global issue.

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