Building activity records jump in Victoria

New statistics from the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) have found that from January to July 2013, building permits have increased compared to the same period in 2012.

Over the 2013 period a 3.3% increase was recorded by the VBA, a result that VBA chief executive officer, Greg Hyams, believes is a positive result for the Victorian building industry.

“There were three significant levies collected in July that helped make this the highest one, but given there were also increases across several categories, these are positive results and bode well for the industry’s future,” Hyams said.

“In five of the seven building categories – residential (including high rise) commercial, hospital and healthcare, retail and industrial – the value of permits was higher for the period.”

Residential, including high rise, was up by 22.6% over the period compared to that in 2012. Retail rose by 31%, hospital/healthcare by 26.8% and industrial by 12.4%.

The only two sectors to see a decline were domestic and public buildings, with declines of 2% and 25.7% respectively.