Residential construction work has resurged on the back of low-interest rates and government incentives, leading the economic recovery and setting a solid foundation for upcoming economic figures. The Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed in preliminary data that the total value of residential construction work rose by 5.1 percent in the March quarter— the equivalent of $19 billion (US$14.7 billion)—with renovations and detached house building leading the charge. It is the biggest increase in around six years and is over 4 percent higher than last year. Work done in Western Australia and Queensland rose 14.4 percent and 10.2 percent, respectively, leading to the home construction surge. Housing Industry Association economist Angela Lillicrap said renovations done in the March quarter was the highest on record and she expects it to remain elevated through the year. “HomeBuilder has been a key driver of this surge in activity, but other factors are also significant. …