16 January 2025
Industry is pointing to improved productivity as key to boosting construction and hitting housing targets, as most Queensland regions performed strongly in the latest building approvals.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) numbers show total approvals of new houses and units climbed by 4.7 per cent in the 12 months to November 2024 – the largest jump since the boom caused by the federal HomeBuilder stimulus package was underway back in 2022.
Looking at the three-month trend to November, all regions posted strong upward performances. Far North Queensland led the way with a 41.4 per cent hike, followed by Downs & Western at 31.2 per cent, and Central Queensland with a 26.6 per cent rise.
Wide Bay Burnett (+16.1 per cent), the Sunshine Coast (+8.7 per cent), and Greater Brisbane (+7.6 per cent) all enjoyed gains, while Mackay & Whitsunday remained steady.
The possible exceptions were the Gold Coast (-20.7 per cent), which saw a drop for both detached houses and units, and North Queensland (Townsville, -2.6 per cent) where there was a significant decline in approvals on detached homes.
Master Builders CEO Paul Bidwell said while the results were good news, there was a lot more to do to shift the dial closer to the magic housing target number.
“Boosting productivity is at the heart of the solution to increasing construction in our state,” Mr Bidwell said.
“The ABS tells us 35,705 new homes were approved in the year to November, meaning we are still tracking well below our state target of 50,000 dwellings each year through to 2044.
“We’ve built more than 50,000 homes in a year twice in the last 31 years – in 1994 and 2016. That’s not to say we can’t achieve that again – but we need fundamental change to help our industry achieve these ambitious targets.
“A key part of that change will be clearing the unnecessary red tape that is standing in the way of industry delivering more homes.
“We’ve welcomed the re-establishment of the Productivity Commission and lodged our submission in support, as we eagerly await the outcome of the review into the regulation of our industry.
“Last week, we also wrote to Housing Minister Sam O’Connor outlining our proposal for reform of the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC).
“Our 12 recommendations outline how the building industry regulator can be transformed through immediate operational change and longer-term regulatory and structural reform. We need a more transparent and risk-based QBCC, that is focused on its core regulatory functions and supported by industry-experienced staff.
“Reviews are a good thing and provide a way forward for change – but any resulting proposals need to be swiftly implemented to get construction moving.”
Read Master Builders’ submission on regulatory reform of the QBCC.
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