Building soars towards record

January 19, 2012

Gunnedah is expecting another huge surge in development and construction activity over the next 12 months, according to Mayor Adam Marshall, with a record expected for new homes.

Cr Marshall was commenting on the release of development statistics for the first six months of this financial year (July 1 to December 31, 2011) which showed a continuation of the trend of increasing development activity across all sectors.

Cr Marshall said the surge in building activity was particularly noticeable in housing, where it is expected this year will see another record year for new dwellings.

“We’re on track to surpass last year’s total development application (DA) figures both in terms of numbers and combined value, especially in the housing sector,” Cr Marshall said.

“At the halfway mark of the financial year council has processed 123 DAs worth a combined value of $22.64 million.

“This compares very favourably with the previous 12 month period (2010/11) which saw 233 DAs worth $33.83 million processed.

“These are extremely impressive and pleasing figures which confirm the anecdotal reports of continuing growth.

“It’s very exciting to think what this calendar year will bring,” Cr Marshall added.

Cr Marshall said the record spike in housing development experienced last year was continuing to be felt with 44 new dwelling and seven new unit applications lodged between July and December 2011.

The value of these developments was more than $13.6 million.

The last financial year saw 62 new dwellings and 14 units approved worth $21 million.

“Of the 44 new dwelling approvals already recorded this financial year, 24 have been for urban residential in Gunnedah while 20 have been in rural residential locations,” Cr Marshall said.

“This demonstrates the continuing interest in rural residential locations and the increasing demand for this type of land.

“With new residential subdivisions due to come online in the Gallen and Mornington Estates this year, as well as further rural residential subdivisions to the south of Gunnedah, it is anticipated the growth in the housing sector will continue through 2012.

“Gunnedah is well placed to accommodate this growth, spurred by new residents moving to our community and investors, with close to 1000 urban residential blocks zoned and awaiting approval and more than 70 rural residential lots available for market.

The value of commercial and industrial development in the first six months of 2011/12 was more than $4.5 million.