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Moov Modular completes the South Grafton modular housing project for Northern Rivers and Anglicare.
The Bimble Avenue Community Housing Development in South Grafton officially opened today, delivering 24 new modular homes through a joint initiative by Northern Rivers Housing and Anglicare North Coast. The project was manufactured and installed by New South Wales-based builder Moov Modular. (main image: Moov Modular’s 24-home community modular housing project in South Grafton for Northern Rivers Housing and Anglicare North Coast.)
In conversation with Built Offsite, Moov Modular Managing Director Nicholas O’Neill outlined the project’s scope, delivery process, and the growing demand for modular housing in regional areas.
The development includes a mix of one-bedroom homes and duplexes designed to meet general and accessible housing needs. All homes were constructed offsite and installed using Moov Modular’s repeatable, kit-based system.
According to O’Neill, the homes were completed and installed within a six-month period, including delays over the Christmas shutdown.
“We were contracted around August or September last year and were on site by late October,” said O’Neill. “Completion came through in May. For 36 dwellings, that’s a solid outcome.”
The project was almost fully tenanted within two weeks of completion, which O’Neill says reflects strong unmet demand in the area.
“There’s clearly a significant need for well-designed, affordable housing — especially in regional areas,” he said. “Both Anglicare and Northern Rivers were focused on delivering something practical and scalable.”
Hybrid system supports flexibility and speed
Moov Modular’s system uses steel floor bases, timber wall frames and a pre-planned installation methodology that allows it to adapt to site and project conditions. For the Grafton site, the team employed screw pile foundations installed by a local contractor, and completed the homes using offsite-manufactured frames and trusses.
“It’s a hybrid approach,” said O’Neill. “We ship frames up from our Central Coast suppliers, but we also bring in local capability when it makes sense. That flexibility is what allows us to maintain control over timeframes and costs.”
Two of the homes were designed and built to accessibility standards, supported through targeted funding.
“We designed those features early and used some external tools and grants to get the specifications right,” said O’Neill.
While the company is licensed to deliver full construction services, its focus is on modular, offsite manufacturing for community and government housing providers. The Bimble Avenue development is the latest in a pipeline of projects the company has underway, including specialist disability accommodation and several retirement-focused developments.
“We’ve chosen not to pursue B2C. We’re targeting the community and government sectors because that’s where the need is, and where modular is most effective.”
Demand for repeatable models grows in regional markets
Moov Modular was appointed following a competitive internal tender process run by Northern Rivers Housing. O’Neill said the relationship has strengthened throughout the build and has led to further work with both housing providers.
“It was a new process for both sides at the start. But it worked — and it’s led to more projects.”
The modules were manufactured at Moov’s facilities in the Central Coast and Hunter Valley and transported to site for installation. Despite several site challenges, including a hailstorm, flooding and a severe storm, the homes were completed on schedule.
The development will be formally opened today with attendance from state and local government, and Homes NSW representatives.
O’Neill said the company was continuing to adapt its supply model to meet growing demand, but would not be investing in its own roll-forming equipment at this stage.
“We’ve looked at it, but right now it makes more sense to focus on refining our systems and drawings. Flexibility is still our priority.”
Built Offsite understands Moov Modular is currently scaling up its operations in response to multiple regional housing opportunities, with repeatable designs forming the basis for quicker delivery.
“We’re not locked into a single method,” said O’Neill. “We can adjust the system depending on the site and the client.”
While the broader modular sector in Australia continues to evolve, O’Neill says projects like Bimble Avenue show that volumetric construction can be viable for social housing when appropriately matched to site and planning conditions.
See: Moov Modular
