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“In 2022 detached dwelling approvals decreased 18 per cent in the Hunter and 28 per cent on the Central Coast compared to the 2021 calendar year,” said Craig Jennion, HIA Hunter Executive Director.
“Accounting for 66.8 per cent of all approvals in the Hunter detached homes remained the preference for home buyers, despite the decline. However, on the Central Coast they fell to 48.8 per cent as a result of increased multi-unit approvals”.
“In 2022 a total of 3,966 new dwellings were approved in the Hunter, a fall of 23 per cent compared to the previous year. Dissimilarly 1,603 total approvals on the Central Coast ensured the region duplicated the number of residential homes approved for construction compared to 2021. This was a result of elevated activity in the south of the municipality”.
“Much of the heavy lifting for the residential sector continues to occur in the local government areas of Central Coast, Lake Macquarie and Maitland. These top 3 locations for approvals accounting for 65.4 per cent of total approvals”, said Mr Jennion.
“The value of approved major renovations and alterations diverged, with Hunter approvals decreasing by 13 per cent to $276.2 million and the Central Coast increasing by 6 per cent to $157.5 million. Like detached and multi-unit dwelling approvals all growth on the Central Coast occurred in the south of the municipality, where the total value increased 12 per cent”.
“The declines, particularly those in the latter half of 2022, were expected following the end of the HomeBuilder grant and a cooling market that was influenced by increases in the cost of construction. This was triggered by material and labour shortages”, explained Mr Jennion.
“Looking ahead, residential building activity will remain strong on the back of the large pipeline of work approved over the past 2 years, however the impact of increasing interest rates will keep demand for new homes at a level below that observed in recent years”.
“Pleasingly, the relative affordability advantages the region has over other locations will support continued demand for new homes, ensuring the important contribution residential construction provides the local economy continues in the near future,” concluded Mr Jennion.
House | 12 months to Dec 21 | 12 months to Dec 22 | % change |
Central Coast | 1,084 | 783 | -28% |
Cessnock | 278 | 263 | -5% |
Lake Macquarie | 1,073 | 830 | -23% |
Maitland | 875 | 598 | -32% |
Newcastle | 298 | 187 | -37% |
Port Stephens | 394 | 477 | 21% |
Dungog | 46 | 43 | -7% |
Singleton | 45 | 44 | -2% |
Muswellbrook | 44 | 35 | -20% |
Scone | 13 | 14 | 8% |
Gloucester | 18 | 25 | 39% |
Great Lakes | 141 | 135 | -4% |
4,309 | 3,434 | -20% |
Unit Approvals | 12 months to Dec 21 | 12 months to Dec 22 | % change |
Central Coast | 526 | 820 | 56% |
Cessnock | 34 | 59 | 74% |
Lake Macquarie | 487 | 430 | -12% |
Maitland | 336 | 183 | -46% |
Newcastle | 744 | 404 | -46% |
Port Stephens | 325 | 126 | -61% |
Dungog | 0 | 0 | - |
Singleton | 0 | 0 | - |
Muswellbrook | 0 | 0 | - |
Scone | 0 | 0 | - |
Gloucester | 0 | 2 | - |
Great Lakes | 10 | 111 | 101% |
2,462 | 2,135 | -13% |
Total Dwellings | 12 months to Dec 21 | 12 months to Dec 22 | % change |
Central Coast | 1,610 | 1,603 | -0% |
Cessnock | 312 | 322 | 3% |
Lake Macquarie | 1,560 | 1,260 | -19% |
Maitland | 1,211 | 781 | -36% |
Newcastle | 1,042 | 591 | -43% |
Port Stephens | 719 | 603 | -16% |
Dungog | 46 | 43 | -7% |
Singleton | 45 | 44 | -2% |
Muswellbrook | 44 | 35 | -20% |
Scone | 13 | 14 | 8% |
Gloucester | 18 | 27 | 50% |
Great Lakes | 151 | 246 | 63% |
6,771 | 5,569 | -18% |
The latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show that while new home building approvals in the ACT have lifted slightly in 2025, the pace of growth remains far too slow to meet the territory’s housing needs.
HIA have been lobbying for changes to streamline the process which will allow certifiers to issue Certificates of Occupancy (CoO).
“The positive impact of a decline in the cash rate hasn’t been sufficient to drive a genuine recovery in home building,” stated HIA Senior Economist Tom Devitt.
From this Wednesday (1 October) you will need to register the details of your workers who undertake high-risk silica processing activities on the Silica Worker Register (the register).