Bondy transforms housing industry with affordable modular dwellings
Bond University alumnus, John Christie is transforming the Gold Coast housing market with the introduction of affordable, modular dwellings.
Christie set up ModnPods in 2016, providing modular and container-based building options for residential and commercial customers.
The Labrador company initially provided buildings to customers in New Zealand, Fiji, and across Australia but in a booming Gold Coast property market Mr Christie is now focusing his attention closer to home, as he told the Gold Coast Bulletin recently.
In a city where the median house price stands at $622,000, a modest home for just 5 per cent of that - BYO land - sounds tempting.
Prices began at $31,000 for an open plan 20-foot unit, which could be upgraded to include a bathroom with toilet, shower and vanity, for $35,000. Prices for a 40-foot unit began at $50,000, including one bedroom and a kitchen. Two-bedroom units cost $55,000.
Mr Christie said all the units were certified to meet Australian standards, came fully-assembled, and once council-approved were able to be placed on land as a secondary dwelling.
“I’m really basically trying to build up the Gold Coast first,” he said.
“I would like to be the leading manufacturer for affordable housing, specifically granny flats, and then break into the commercial industry.”
Mr Christie said he was motivated by the desire to provide an affordable housing option.
“On the residential side, I saw the housing prices rise. The really noticeable ones were Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast.
“I personally want to help out and contribute something, and I want to keep it affordable.”
Mr Christie, a Bond MBA graduate, has worked closely with the University’s Transformer program during the development of ModnPods.
He said Transformer provided him with access to marketing support, and legal and contracting advice.
Mr Christie said he was also keen to prove that entrepreneurs did not have to leave the Gold Coast to make their business a reality.
“There’s quite a few people starting them (businesses) here, I think it’s a little more difficult, but you don’t have to go to Sydney or Melbourne. I loved the Gold Coast, I wanted to stay here.”
He was also encouraged by the opportunities available for entrepreneurs through events like the global start-up competition Pitch@Palace, founded by HRH Prince Andrew, Duke of York, in 2014.
The Queensland and Northern Territory regional final of Pitch@Palace will be held right here at Bond University on 27 November. If you’re an entrepreneur with a fabulous idea you want to showcase on a global stage – enter Pitch@Palace by 7 October.