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MEDIA RELEASE:听 Despite a small uptick in building approvals over the month of December, Australia fell short by 68,606 homes of its annual 240,000 housing target in 2024.
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According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, there was a very slight increase (+0.7 per cent) in the volume of new home building approvals during December 2024.
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This was the result of a 6.0 per cent increase in higher density dwelling approvals during the month. However, detached house building approvals dropped by 2.8 per cent during December.
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When looking at the yearly performance, 171,394 new homes received approval during 2024 overall, a modest gain (3.9 per cent) on the year before. This was driven by a 7.0 per cent gain in detached house approvals during 2024.
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Currently, all states and territories have fallen short of their Housing Accord target if building continues at this pace.
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Quotes attributable to Shane Garrett, Chief Economist, Master Builders Australia:
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鈥淚n 2024, higher density approvals dropped back by 1.3 per cent, meaning 2024 was the worst year for higher density approvals since 2011.
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鈥淭he insufficient flow of new home building on the higher density side of the market is one of the main sources of rental price inflation.
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鈥淟atest data indicate that rents rose by 6.2 per cent over the year to December 2024 鈥 one of the biggest sources of inflationary pressure,鈥 Mr Garrett said.
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Quotes attributable to Denita Wawn, CEO Master Builders Australia:
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鈥淎ustralia desperately needs to boost housing supply, and this will only be achieved when the cost of new home building starts to moderate, and project costs stack up.
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鈥淚t鈥檚 more than just a number - the lack of housing supply is leading to rising rents, homelessness, and higher mortgages, which impacts the well-being of individuals, families, and communities.
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鈥淭his Federal Election, all parties must be clear on how they will help build more homes for Aussies.
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鈥淥ver the coming weeks, Master Builders will be releasing its election platform and pre-budget submission with what policy areas require further investment or action to facilitate more investment in home building,鈥 Ms Wawn concluded.