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{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change locationWeakest quarter of building approvals in a decade
Weakest quarter of building approvals in a decade
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The Australian Bureau of Statistics today released its monthly building approvals data for March for detached houses and multi-units covering all states and territories.
“Detached house approvals declined by 2.9 per cent in the month of March to be 15.0 per cent lower than in the same month last year,” added Mr Devitt.
“This continues the long-lagged response of Australian homebuyers to the RBA’s interest rate hiking cycle, with further declines expected in the coming months.
“The adverse impact of last year’s cash rate increases is still to fully flow through to the official data. Further cash rate increases this year will have only added further weight to these declines.
“Multi-unit approvals in 2023 have recorded their lowest levels since 2012. The combination of construction cost blowouts, labour uncertainties, increased compliance costs and taxes on investors has seen approvals for multi-units stall.
“These disappointing approvals numbers are occurring as population growth surges with the return of overseas migrants, students and tourists.
“This imbalance will see the affordability and rental crisis deteriorate further,” concluded Mr Devitt.
Total building approvals were down across almost all the jurisdictions in the March Quarter 2023 compared to the same quarter last year. In seasonally adjusted terms, decreases were led by New South Wales (-34.1 per cent) and Victoria (-26.6 per cent), followed by Western Australia (-14.9 per cent), Tasmania (-10.8 per cent) and South Australia (-5.7 per cent), while Queensland increased by 8.6 per cent. In original terms the Australian Capital Territory saw a decline of 35.3 per cent and Northern Territory was down by 19.1 per cent.
Building Approvals - Australia
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Higher rates will not build more homes
“Today's increase in interest rates will further reduce the number of new homes Australia builds at the time when increased supply is the only sustainable solution to the affordability challenge,” stated HIA Senior Economist Tom Devitt.
HIA welcomes recommissioning of Cardup Brickworks
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has welcomed the Cook Government's support for the recommissioning of the Austral Brickworks facility at Cardup, describing the decision as an important step towards improving building material supply and supporting the delivery of homes and infrastructure across Western Australia.
Cardup Brickworks to recommence operations
HIA welcomes the announcement that Brickworks will recommence operations at its Cardup brickworks facility, supported by the WA Government.
Half of regional Tasmania's new homes approved in just four council areas
Half of all new homes approved across regional Tasmania in the past year were in just four council areas around Launceston, new HIA analysis of ABS building approvals data shows.