News follows a 7.9% drop in June
The number of dwellings approved contracted 8.1% in July, in seasonally adjusted terms, after a 7.9% drop the previous month, according to data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
“The fall in total number of dwellings approved was driven by a decrease in private sector dwellings excluding houses, which fell 15.8%, following a 21.9% fall in June,” said Daniel Rossi, ABS head of construction statistics. “Approvals for private sector houses remained flat, following a 1% fall in June.”
Dwellings approved: July key figures
Most states posted a decline in dwelling approvals, with Victoria seeing the biggest drop, at -18.3%. This was followed by Queensland (-5.5%), Western Australia (-5.2%), New South Wales (-4.7%), and South Australia (-2.6%). Tasmania was the only state to record a rise, lifting a massive 39.5% after falling 36.6% in June.
Private sector house approvals were mixed across the states. Increases were posted in Western Australia (+6.0%) and Queensland (+5%), while there had been declines in South Australia (-9.1%), Victoria (-4%), and New South Wales (-3%) in July.
The value of buildings approved plunged 16.9%, following a lift of 7.2% in June. The value of residential buildings also decreased, down 4.4%, comprising a 5.1% fall in new residential buildings and a 0.4% drop in alterations and additions. Non-residential buildings approved, also decreased, falling 27.8% in July, following a 28.6% lift in June.
See more information in Building Approvals, Australia.
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