NSW tipped to top 50,000 new home starts in 2015
New home building in NSW is tipped to top the 50,000 in 2015, according to a report from the Housing Industry Association (HIA).
The predictions, in the spring 2014 edition of the HIA’s New South Wales Outlook, come off the back of a strong 2014, where dwelling commencements are expected to have increased by 9.5%, following a 31.7% rise in 2013. The HIA says a further growth of 4.5% is expected in 2015, bringing commencements up to 50,800.
“We have been pleasantly surprised by the performance of new home building in NSW, with activity on track to exceed initial expectation over the next 12 months,” said HIA executive director, NSW, David Bare.
“NSW’s $7.9 billion home renovations market is likely to reap the rewards of robust dwelling price growth and record low interest rates.
“Activity on this side of the market has fallen steadily over the past decade but the recovery currently underway is likely to lift activity by a cumulative 25 percent or so.”
Home renovations in the state are also expected to increase in 2014 and 2015 by 8% and 3.9%, respectively. In two years the HIA believes home renovation to reach $8.43 billion.
Bare says that despite the improved levels of new home building, the NSW government still needs to open up more land for residential use and create a simpler planning regime.