Building Approvals on the Rise

Building approvals in the Gympie region have risen according to a Gympie Regional Council report.

A total of 127 building approvals were issued for the month of December, of which 91 approvals were issued by Private Building Certifiers and 36 were issued by Council Building Certifiers.

The total number of approvals for December included 38 new dwellings and one removal dwellings.

In comparison, a total of 72 Building Approvals were issued in December 2019 with a total of 15 new dwellings approved for that same period. The December 2019 figures also included 12 re-roof approvals.

A total of 19 re-roof approvals were issued in December 2020. Without these additional building approvals, the underlying trend for the month of December is 108. This represents the best December result in the last five years.

The overall trend and underlying trend for the year is demonstrated when the 2020 figures are compared with the number of overall approvals issued for the year to date (as at end of December), for the last five years:

• December 2020 total Approvals year to date – 1,812 underlying trend 1,148; • December 2019 total approvals year to date – 3,765 underlying trend 1022; • December 2018 total approvals year to date – 1,495 underlying trend 1,074; • December 2017 total approvals year to date – 1053; • December 2016 total approvals year to date – 1075.

It should be noted that between October 2018 and December 2020 there has been 3,740 building approvals issued in the Gympie area for re-roofs.

“Given that we are still in a COVID economy; these statistics are very encouraging,” said Councillor Shane Waldock.

“Our region is showing typical resilience in a tough time.

“Increased building activity is a good thing for our region, our local economy and our residents,” Councillor Waldock said.