AUSTRALIAN Bureau of Statistics figures on new home approvals indicate that total home approvals fell by eight percent in the Hunter and 34 percent on the Central Coast in 2024 compared to the 2023 calendar year.

“There were a total of 4,808 building approvals across the Hunter in 2024 and 1,052 on the Central Coast,” said Craig Jennion, Housing Industry Australia (HIA) Hunter Executive Director.

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“Combined, this is 14 percent weaker than in 2023, and 19 percent lower than the pre-Covid year of 2018.

“Detached house approvals in the Hunter were steady with an increase of eight dwellings or zero percent change in the 2024 calendar year.”

Across the region, Lake Macquarie saw the strongest growth in detached house approvals, up by 35 percent compared to 2023.

This was followed by Maitland (up eight percent), Scone (up seven percent) and Singleton (up six percent.

“Declines were recorded in all other Hunter LGAs with Port Stephens down 52 percent, followed by Newcastle (down 34 percent), Muswellbrook (down 21 percent) and Cessnock (down 20 percent).”

Multi-unit approvals decreased in the Hunter, falling 19 percent in 2024 compared to the previous year.

“Declines were the greatest in Newcastle (down 37 percent), Cessnock (down 33 percent) and Lake Macquarie (down 14 percent).

“Pleasingly growth occurred in Maitland (plus 29 percent) and Port Stephens (up six percent).”

According to the data, much of the heavy lifting for the residential sector continues to occur in the local government areas of Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Central Coast, Newcastle and Cessnock.

These top five locations for approvals accounted for 87 percent of total approvals.

“Detached homes remained the preference for home buyers, with the Hunter increasing five percent to account for 63.25 percent of total approvals, while on the Central Coast it increased by 16 percent to 66 percent of all approvals,” Mr Jennion said.

“The value of approved major renovations and alterations was overall steady in 2024.

“In the Hunter approvals increased by three percent to $314.8 million, while on the Central Coast the value decreased by five percent to $157.3 million.”

In Dungog, there were 44 house approvals in the 12 months to December 2024, down 14 percent from 51 the previous year.

Two units were approved in that timeframe, up from zero the year before.

In Gloucester, 18 homes were approved in 2024, down one from 19 in 2023.

No units were approved in 2024, down two from 2023.