Home building approvals in Geelong have risen 34 per cent over the past year to August, close to levels last seen in the 2022 Covid boom, according to KPMG analysis of Australian Bureau of Statistics figures. The pipeline now sits at around 4000 new homes. KPMG urban economist Terry Rawnsley said the rise shows growing confidence in the city's long-term growth, but stressed that approved projects must now move through to construction. Lara has overtaken Armstrong Creek as the region's top approval area, with the activity shifting north.
New laws have been passed to speed up planning and lease processes for missing middle homes in Canberra. Planning Minister Chris Steel says the changes will mean faster approvals for townhouses, duplexes, terraces and secondary residences. Single-dwelling leases will no longer need a Crown lease variation to build a granny flat. Minor lease changes will go through a streamlined pathway with no development application required. The Property Council of Australia welcomed the reforms, though it said feasibility and investment challenges remain.
A 14-storey residential flat building with 299 dwellings has been recommended and accepted for 6-14 Mona Vale Road and 8 and 10 Vineyard Street, Mona Vale. A 16-storey, $135 million shop-top housing development has been proposed for Fisher Street and Redman Road, Dee Why, partly on the site of The Builders Club. The Land and Environment Court approved an eight-storey shop-top housing development at 22-24 Raglan Street, Manly, the current site of Stoke Beach House. NSW Planning approved an Opal Healthcare residential care facility at Bayview despite 37 objections.
AU Now app
Your suburb’s news, alerts and Shorts — in one app
Alerts, Shorts and your saved stories — free on Google Play.
Victoria's housing crisis is being addressed through dual occupancy projects, with the state aiming to construct 800,000 new homes by 2034. Metricon's DualOcc initiative is streamlining the process, offering expertise in town planning and construction to help homeowners and investors navigate approvals and build multi-unit developments. The program has significantly reduced permit times, with some approvals taking as little as seven days. DualOcc provides a comprehensive service, from initial planning to final construction, ensuring projects meet planning controls and customer goals.
New home construction in Australia has increased, with commencements rising 7 per cent to 52,200 in the June quarter, and completions up 15.9 per cent annually. Treasurer Jim Chalmers attributed the rise to government tax changes and infrastructure investments. However, August saw a 6.1 per cent drop in dwelling approvals from July’s five-year high, with apartment and townhouse approvals falling 21 per cent. Queensland, South Australia, and Tasmania led in approvals growth, while NSW, Victoria, the NT, and ACT declined.
