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{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change locationHunter building approvals contract
Hunter building approvals contract
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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% |
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Detached house approvals picking up
“There were 9,490 detached homes approved in the month of April 2025, up by 3.3 per cent compared to the previous month,” stated HIA Senior Economist Maurice Tapang.
State Budget is a missed opportunity to stimulate housing
The Treasurer has handed down the 2025/26 Tasmanian Budget. The Budget focuses on alleviating cost of living pressures, health, education and infrastructure, while mapping out a path to a fiscal balance surplus in 2032/2033.
HIA supports bipartisan approach to planning reform NSW
“The NSW planning system has failed to deliver the number of homes we desperately need and we fully support removing the politics from housing, to address this growing crisis,” said Brad Armitage, HIA Executive Director NSW.
Opposition pledge to remove stamp duty for first home buyers welcomed (Vic)
The Victorian Opposition’s announcement that it would remove stamp duty for first-home buyers spending up to $1 million on a new or existing home if elected at next year’s state election, is a positive step towards improving home affordability,” says Steven Wojtkiw, HIA Victoria Deputy Executive Director.