Australian homebuilding approvals in February rose 3.1% month-over-month, driven by 4.2% increase in detached home approvals, 1.6% increase in multi-unit dwelling approvals: Housing Industry Assn.

Allison Oesterle

CAMPBELL, Australia , April 4, 2013 (press release) – The number of dwelling approvals increased by 3.1 per cent in February, said the Housing Industry Association, the voice of Australia’s residential building industry.

“We have seen indicators of consumer sentiment improve over recent months and we may well be seeing an early sign that this is flowing through to activity on the ground. After two consecutive months where approval numbers slipped back it is pleasing to see a material improvement in February,” saidHIA Economist, Geordan Murray.

“A 4.2 per cent increase in approvals for detached houses was the main driver of this result although approvals for multi-unit dwellings also posted a 1.6 per cent increase during February,” Geordan Murray said.

“Interestingly, much of the increase in the detached dwelling segment at the national level can be attributed to an 8.0 per cent increase in detached dwelling approvals in New South Wales. There were 1,601 detached homes approved the state in February making it one of only three months since 2005 when detached dwelling approvals have broken through the 1,600 mark. The other two occurred during the financial crisis when federal stimulus policies were in full effect,” added Geordan Murray.

“Approvals in South Australia lifted 23.0 per cent from the lows of a month earlier. The strong result took the number of approvals to the highest monthly tally in over eighteen months. Hopefully this is a sign that the state may be emerging from the cyclical low,” Geordan Murray said.

In February 2013, total seasonally adjusted building approvals increased by an impressive 23.0 per cent in South Australia, 5.4 per cent in Western Australia, 3.8 per cent in Queensland and were flat in Victoria (up by 0.3 per cent). Seasonally adjusted building approvals fell in New South Wales (-7.7 per cent), and Tasmania (-5.3 per cent). In trend terms building approvals in February increased by 3.1 per cent in the ACT and fell by 10.5 per cent in the Northern Territory.

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