“There was a total of 5,210 building approvals across the Hunter in 2025 and 1,223 on the Central Coast. Combined, this is 5 per cent stronger than in 2024, and 4 per cent higher than the pre covid year of 2018. 

“The total value of new building approvals was $2.97 billion in 2025, an increase of 11 per cent. In the Hunter the value of building approvals was $2.35 billion, whilst on the Central Coast the value was just shy of $625 million.

“Detached house approvals in the Hunter declined with a fall of 17 per cent in the 2025 calendar year. Across the region Muswellbrook saw the strongest growth in detached house approvals, up by 66 per cent compared to 2024, be it off a low base. This was followed by Newcastle (+42 per cent), Scone (+41 per cent), Port Stephens (+38 per cent), and Dungog (+30 per cent).

“The largest declines were recorded in the Great Lakes (-66 per cent), Gloucester (-50 per cent), Lake Macquarie (-35 per cent), Cessnock (-21 per cent) and Singleton (-9 per cent).

“On the Central Coast, detached dwellings contracted marginally, with a fall of 1 per cent compared to the 2024 calendar year,” said Mr Jennion. 

“In contrast approvals data for multi-unit dwellings demonstrated that market confidence continued to pick-up, especially in the latter half of the year. Multi-unit approvals increased in all local government areas except for Dungog. Approvals were up 38 per cent in the Hunter and 50 per cent on the Central Coast compared to the previous year. 

“In the Hunter growth was greatest in the Great Lakes (+166 per cent), Muswellbrook (+100 per cent), Maitland (+54 per cent), Lake Macquarie (+35 per cent) and Port Stephens (+33 per cent).

“On the Central Coast, multi-unit dwellings increased 68 per cent in Gosford and 34 percent in Wyong,” said Mr Jennion.

“Much of the heavy lifting for the residential sector continues to occur in the local government areas of Maitland, Central Coast, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle and Cessnock. These top 5 locations for approvals accounted for 88 per cent of total approvals. 

“Whilst detached homes remained the preference for home buyers, accounting for 53 per cent of total approvals in the Hunter and 56 per cent on the Central Coast, multi-unit approvals saw double digit growth in both regions.

“This suggests that some households are turning to more affordable smaller homes as a means of securing home ownership.

“The value of approved major renovations and alterations was overall steady in 2025. In the Hunter approvals decreased by 2 per cent to $308.5 million, while on the Central Coast the value increased by 4 per cent to $165.4 million.

“Despite the varied results, especially for detached dwellings, it is clear that the region worked through the challenges of 2024 that were characterised by the higher cost of borrowing, land, materials and labour.

“Whilst these concerns remain, interest rate cuts in 2025 have helped bring more households back to the market, supported by the fact that many households remain in employment, which provides certainty of income.

“Looking forward the growth in approvals is pleasing, demonstrating that the Hunter and Central Coast remain critical housing locations in New South Wales due to the combination of relative affordability compared to Sydney, rapid population growth, and diverse lifestyle options.

“However, increased support by all levels of government to reduce the barriers on land development and new home building are required if the relative affordability benefits the region is known for are to be taken advantage of in 2026,” concluded Mr Jennion.

For more information please contact: