11 February 2025
The building and construction industry is applauding strong steps by the Crisafulli Government to cut red tape and drive down costs, as the state continues to chase down its housing targets.
The December building approvals figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show multi-unit dwelling approvals are outstripping those for detached houses.
Leading the way in the three months to December was Downs & Western (Toowoomba), surging ahead with 40.9 per cent growth, with Central Queensland (+26.6 per cent) and Wide Bay Burnett (+10.8 per cent) also posting strong results, driven by unit approvals.
The other hot spot for unit approvals was the Greater Brisbane area, up 26.9 per cent over the past three months. This unfortunately was not enough to offset the fall in detached house approvals over the same period (-18.3 per cent).
Declines in total approvals were recorded across the Gold Coast (-5.7 per cent), Mackay & Whitsunday (-16.4 per cent), North Queensland (-4.7 per cent) and Far North Queensland (-8.5 per cent), with these areas all experiencing a drag from low unit approval numbers.
Looking at the 12-month trend, 36,429 dwellings were approved in 2024, up 7.4 per cent on the previous year. While good news, it is nowhere near the shift needed to meet the housing targets.
Master Builders CEO Paul Bidwell said the state government’s Building Reg Reno announcement showed it was listening to industry, helping to reduce the burden of red tape hampering construction.
“Hitting pause on the looming Project Trust Account expansion for private projects under $10 million is particularly significant. This change will help many smaller construction businesses avoid financial and administrative chaos – and potentially stop them going to the wall.
“Security of payment for subcontractors remains an important issue and the pause allows for some breathing room to really consider the framework and a solution that is actually going to work.
“We also welcome the upcoming changes in March which will see unnecessary financial reporting scrapped for 50,000 small operators, and specialist fire workers given more time to meet new licensing rules.
“There is of course more work to be done to hit ambitious housing targets.
“The state government’s longer-term commitments to making the QBCC more customer-focused by improving the dispute resolution and mediation processes, plus fast-tracking digital licensing, the commitment to removing duplicate safety reporting requirements, and the introduction of a streamlined Queensland Housing Code, provide a way forward on issues we’ve been advocating on for many years.
“We look forward to further announcements as the wheels of the Productivity Commission begin to turn.”
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