{{ propApi.closeIcon }}
Our industry
Our industry $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Housing industry insights Economics Insights Data & forecasts Tailored research and analysis Advocacy & policy Advocacy Policy priorities Position statements Submissions News and inspiration Industry news Member alerts Media releases HOUSING Online
Business support
Business support $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Become an apprentice host Hire an apprentice Why host a HIA apprentice? Apprentice partner program Builder & manufacturer program Industry insurance HIA Insurance Services Construction works insurance Home warranty insurance Tradies & tool insurance Member perks Toyota vehicles The Good Guys Commercial Fuel savings See all Planning & safety solutions Building & planning services Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) Solutions for your business Contracts Online Advertise jobs Trusted support & guidance Contracts & compliance support Industrial relations
Resources & advice
Resources & advice $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Building it right Building codes Australian standards Getting it right on site See all Building materials & products Concrete, bricks & walls Getting products approved Use the right products for the job See all Managing your business Dealing with contracts Handling disputes Managing your employees See all Managing your safety Safety rules Working with silica See all Building your business Growing your business Maintaining your business See all Other subjects Getting approval to build Sustainable homes See all
Careers & learning
Careers & learning $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
A rewarding career Become an apprentice Apprenticeships on offer How do I apply? Frequently asked questions Study with us Find a course to suit you Qualification courses Learning on demand Professional development courses A job in the industry Get your builder's licence Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Further your career Find jobs
HIA community
HIA community $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Join HIA Sign me up How do I become a member? What's in it for me? Mates rates Get involved Become an award judge Join a committee Partner with us Our initiatives HIA Building Women GreenSmart Kitchen, bathroom and design hub Get to know us Our members Our people Our partners Support for you Charitable Foundation Mental health program
Awards & events
Awards & events $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Awards Awards program People & Business Awards GreenSmart Australian Housing Awards Awards winners Regional Award winners Australian Housing Award winners 2024 Australian Home of the Year Enter online Industry events Events in the next month Economic outlook National Conference Events calendar
HIA shop
HIA shop $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Most popular products National Construction Code Vol 1 & 2 Waterproofing wet areas AS 3740:2021 HIA Guide to Waterproofing HIA Guide to NCC Livable Housing Provisions Top categories Building codes & standards Contracts & documents Guides & manuals Safety products Signage For your business Contracts Online Digital Australian Standards Digital Resource Library Forecasts & data
About Contact Newsroom
$vuetify.icons.faTimes
$vuetify.icons.faMapMarker Set my location Use the field below to update your location
Address
Change location
{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location
{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change location

$vuetify.icons.faPhone1300 650 620

Hunter and Central Coast home approvals escalate

Media release

Hunter and Central Coast home approvals escalate

Media release
Latest ABS figures on new home building approvals indicate that detached home activity across the Hunter and Central Coast performed strongly in 2021, despite the impact of the global pandemic and the closing of the HomeBuilder stimulus, reported the Housing Industry Association.

“In 2021 detached dwelling approvals increased 13 per cent in the Hunter and 45 per cent on the Central Coast compared to the 2020 calendar year. Accounting for 65.2 per cent of all approvals in the Hunter and 67.3 per cent on the Central Coast detached homes remain the preference for home buyers locally,” said Craig Jennion, HIA Hunter Executive Director.  

“Over the same period multi-unit approvals also increased by 39 per cent in the Hunter and 30 per cent on the Central Coast compared to the year earlier.  

“In total 7,380 approvals were issued for new dwellings across the combined HIA Hunter region during 2021, a increase of 25 per cent from the previous year.  The Hunter approvals increased by 21 per cent to 5,760 while the Central Coast increased an impressive 40 per cent to 1620”.  

“Much of the heavy lifting for the residential sector continues to occur on the Central Coast and in the Lower Hunter, with the local government areas of Central Coast, Lake Macquarie, Maitland and Newcastle continuing to be the top locations for approvals, accounting for 73.68 per cent of total approvals”, explained Mr Jennion.

“Regionally Cessnock LGA was again a big mover with total housing approvals increasing by 30 per cent. Detached dwelling increasing 23 per cent while multi-unit approvals increased by 123 per cent”.

The value of approved major renovations and alterations also surged with Hunter approvals increasing by 26 per cent and the Central Coast by 37 per cent.  The combined value of $499,458,107 was a 29 per cent increase on the year prior”.  

“Looking ahead, we are forecasting residential building activity to remain strong as households remain very active in the market. This is evidenced by the strong housing finance data, current low interest rates, rising house prices and strong employment conditions. Together this should ensure the demand for new homes remaining solid,” concluded Mr Jennion. 

House 12 mths to: Dec-20 12 mths to: Dec-21 % change
Central Coast 752 1,090 45%
Cessnock 683 843 23%
Lake Macquarie 969 1,057 9%
Maitland 893 902 1%
Newcastle 346 297 -14%
Port Stephens 209 325 56%
Dungog 45 46 2%
Singleton 4 45 1025%
Muswellbrook 9 45 400%
Scone 15 33 120%
Great Lakes 142 161 13%
  4,067 4,844 19%

 

Unit Approvals 12 mths to: Dec-20 12 mths to: Dec-21 % change
Central Coast 408 530 30%
Cessnock 48 107 123%
Lake Macquarie 344 484 41%
Maitland 339 339 0%
Newcastle 604 739 22%
Port Stephens 64 327 411%
Dungog 4 0 -100%
Singleton 0 0 -
Muswellbrook 0 0 -
Scone 0 0 -
Great Lakes 40 10 -75%
  1,851 2,536 37%

 

Total Dwellings 12 mths to: Dec-20 12 mths to: Dec-21 % change
Central Coast 1,160 1,620 40%
Cessnock 731 950 30%
Lake Macquarie 1,313 1,541 17%
Maitland 1,232 1,241 1%
Newcastle 950 1,036 9%
Port Stephens 273 652 139%
Dungog 49 46 -6%
Singleton 4 45 1025%
Muswellbrook 9 45 400%
Scone 15 33 120%
Great Lakes 166 171 3%
  5,902 7,380 25%

 

For more information please contact:

Craig Jennion

Executive Director - Hunter
Latest articles
View all news $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
26 Jul
A plan for land is a plan for housing

“Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth are seeing residential land values grow at a rapid rate, while Sydney and Melbourne’s values remain relatively stable,” stated HIA Senior Economist Matt King.

26 Jul
New plumbing and drainage inspection procedures in Huntlee and-North Rothbury area

Plumbing and drainage inspections in the Huntlee and North Rothbury areas are moving from Cessnock City Council to Building Commission NSW.

25 Jul
BASIX transition period ending soon

The BASIX Transition period for eligible signed building contracts will end on 30 September 2024. BASIX Certificates must be generated by this date to apply the pre-1 October 2023 BASIX standards.

23 Jul
Lingering worker shortages see trade rates continue to rise

“As the number of new homes under construction continues to decline builders are reporting fewer difficulties scheduling skilled trades workers on their jobs, although availability of skilled workers remains worse than prior to the pandemic,” stated Geordan Murray, HIA Executive Director – Future Workforce.

NSW Authority for Final Payment (Pad of 50)

The NSW Authority for Final Payment Pad offers an effective method of claiming final payment from your client. It’s available in a handy tear-off pad of 50. This is a hard copy document and will be mailed to you once it's purchase...

NSW Claim for Extension of Time (Pad of 50)

This form is to notify the owner of an entitlement to an extension of time when building works have been delayed due to unforeseen circumstances, an owner’s delay or requests for additional work. If you do not notify an owner abou...

NSW Authority for Variation to Contract (Pad of 25)

The Authority for Variation to Contract (pad of 25) details changes or variations to works requiring an update to the contract between builder and owner. It can also be used for variations between builder and sub-contractor. This...

NSW New Dwellings Contract (Pack of 2)

Ideal for building professionals about to work on a new dwelling, available as a pack of two. The fixed price contract allows for all job details to be formalised and provides schedules for progress payments, excluded items, insur...

NSW Cost Plus Contract (Pack of 2)

This contract is used for residential construction works on a cost plus basis, not a lump sum ‘fixed price’. Costs are totalled and a percentage or fixed sum added for administration, supervision and profit. It allows for project ...

NSW General Housing Specifications

The NSW General Housing Specifications document forms part of the contract documents which is referred to in the building contract. It details the works to be executed and the materials to be used in carrying out those works at th...

NSW Preliminary Agreement (Pad of 50)

This Preliminary Agreement (pad of 50) is used to cover the cost of the preliminary work before and in preparation of signing the contract. This type of work may include: - preparation of plans - engineering details - obtaining a...

NSW Notice of Practical Completion (Pad of 25)

The NSW Notice of Practical Completion is used to notify an owner when a project will be at practical completion, available as a pad of 50. It sets a time and date for the owner's inspection of the works as part of the handover an...

NSW Small Works between $5K & $20K Contract (Pad of 10)

This contract is a fixed-sum contract used for non-structural, residential renovations and additions, available in a pad of 10 duplicate contracts. It’s suitable for use in the manufacture, supply and installation of: - cabinets a...

NSW Residential Contract for Renovations & Additions (Pack of 2)

NSW Residential Building Contract - Renovations/Additions

NSW Small Works over $20K Contract (Duplicate)

The NSW Small Works over $20,000 contract (in duplicate) is for residential construction work over $20,000 and complies with the NSW Home Building Act. It's suitable for smaller alteration and renovation projects. This is a hard c...