It is no wonder Australia’s construction industry could not see the forest for the trees.

Only a year ago, it was unimaginable a massive surge in building demand would lead it to the brink of crisis, with a critical shortage of building materials causing crippling delays and cost blow-outs.

Timber supplies were the first to be hit as Australia and other nations around the world, grappling with the impact of the pandemic, pushed the button on economic stimulus programs focused on housing construction.