Development activity on the Sunshine Coast continues last financial year’s upward trend with August figures showing a 200% increase on the number of lots approved the month before.
Council approved 21 applications resulting in 194 lots last month (August), compared to July figures of 12 applications and 65 lots.
There were also 1071 development and plumbing applications received in August, an increase on July’s 1033 applications.
Mayor Mark Jamieson said the increases reflected growing confidence in the region’s future.
“Last financial year the value of building construction on the Sunshine Coast was $1.113 billion and that excluded the public and private hospitals on the Kawana Health Campus,” Mayor Jamieson said.
“This is the highest value for the past five years, which is a significant boost for the region and the economy.”
Planning Portfolio Councillor Christian Dickson said council’s incentive schemes continued to support the upward trend and it was now much easier to do business with council, thanks to the new planning scheme.
“The efficiencies embedded in the new planning scheme are also being realised, with 36% of operational works applications received and decided during August, allowing development activity to progress quickly,” Cr Dickson said.
“Council also received 405 building and plumbing searches and planning certificates in August, the highest figure this calendar year.
“Searches and certificates are good gauge of economic activity as they are an indication of property transfers and inquiries associated with plumbing and building work and property sales activity.
“General confidence in the region, together with the increased ease in doing business, is resulting in millions of dollars being invested in the Sunshine Coast economy.
“We have some way to go, but this is a promising start to the new financial year.”