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{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change locationBuilding approvals fell sharply during Omicron outbreak
Building approvals fell sharply during Omicron outbreak
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“Approvals for detached houses fell by 17.3 per cent and 43.6 per cent for multi-units.
“This sharp fall in January can be attributed to staff shortages during the Omicron outbreak and a higher than usual uptake of holiday leave.
“There are no indications that home building activity is facing weak demand any time soon, despite temporary interruptions from the Omicron outbreak in January.
“The absence of Council workers, private certifiers and building business staff will have weighed on the ability to process approvals.
“We anticipate an above average volume of approvals will be reported in coming months as the impact of this disruption fades.
“Early indications are that home building bounced back as the Omicron wave abated and builders were able to return to work.
“There are more homes under construction at present than in any previous cycle and this will continue to grow until mid-2022.
“The elevated volume of homes approved, but not yet commenced construction, will ensure that January’s brief disruption won’t change builders’ busy schedule this year.
“The Reserve Bank has retained its ‘patient’ stance regarding its record low cash rate, as it waits for consumer behaviour to normalise, supply chain issues to ease and other international developments to emerge.
“This will help ensure that the salient constraint on builders this year remains the price and availability of land, labour and materials, not weak demand,” concluded Mr Devitt.
In seasonally adjusted terms, total residential building approvals decreased in the last three months compared to the previous quarter in Western Australia (-21.0 per cent), New South Wales (-19.1 per cent), Victoria (-13.4 per cent), South Australia (-5.8 per cent), and Queensland (-5.7 per cent), while in original terms, increasing in the Northern Territory (+3.4 per cent), the Australian Capital Territory (+11.0 per cent) and Tasmania (+11.1 per cent).
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.
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.
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.
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.