Regional Queensland driving housing sector recovery
Published: 12 June 2012
The April 2012 regional Building Approvals, released recently by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, indicate a definite recovery in regional Queensland, as the south east continues to struggle, according to Master Builders, Queensland’s peak body for housing and construction.
Master Builders Director of Housing Policy, Paul Bidwell, said that Queensland approvals in the April 2012 quarter told a reasonably positive story, with house approvals rising by 13.2% and total dwelling unit approvals rising by 3%.
“These latest figures provide us with an indication of how individual regional areas in Queensland are faring – and it is certainly an interesting story.
“While the south east flounders with next to no growth, all regional areas recorded healthy improvements in residential activity levels, with Mackay topping the charts with a 92.2% rise in house approvals.
“Things are definitely looking up in regional Queensland and there is no doubt the resources boom is playing a role in boosting activity in those areas.
“Despite the poor performance of Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast areas, Master Builders remains convinced that a recovery is on the way.
“We have anecdotal evidence of solid sales during April, which indicates some last minute activity associated with the Building Boost Grant, and should lead to increased activity during the coming months as these sales translate into building approvals.
“The April 2012 Housing Finance figures also support this view, with loan commitments for owner occupied housing rising by 2% (seasonally adjusted).
“While there is evidence that the housing sector recovery is slowly gaining momentum, it continues to remain vulnerable to wavering consumer confidence and other issues that are currently impacting negatively on the cost of building.
“We’re particularly concerned about the impact of the carbon tax and how escalating costs will further exacerbate the price divide between new and established housing.
“We’re urging all levels of government to consider key reforms and stimulus measures aimed at the building sector that will boost consumer confidence and activity levels and address issues, such as the impact of the carbon tax on new home building.”
Percentage change – April quarter 2011–April quarter 2012
|
Total houses % change - April qtr 2011-April qtr 2012 |
Total residential building % change - April qtr 2011-April qtr 2012 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Brisbane – West Moreton | 0.5% | -7% |
| Gold Coast | -0.3% | 8% |
| Sunshine Coast | 3.8% | -20.3% |
| Darling Downs – South West | 64.2% | 49.6% |
| Wide Bay-Burnett | 29.1% | 30.1% |
| Fitzroy – Central West | 13.9% | 47.3% |
| Mackay | 92.2% | 118.8% |
| Northern – North West | 12.2% | -3.3% |
| Far North | 75% | 60.9% |
Media enquiries:
Julie Russell, Manager – Corporate Affairs via email or phone (07) 3225 6436 or 0414 083 191.
