New data: jobs secure as post-COVID construction boom continues to take off

The city’s construction industry is achieving a record year of development activity, with new data confirming the building boom continues to gain strength post-COVID.

The city’s construction industry is achieving a record year of development activity, with new data confirming the building boom continues to gain strength post-Covid.

A development activity report to council for the financial year 2021-22 shows 5449 applications for approval last year, a record number across city planning desks.

Construction activity remains strong with the report emphasising the approvals are an accurate measure of projects going ahead.

Construction site of the Athletes Village for the Commonwealth Games — the city has been booming since the event. Photograph: Russell Shakespeare.

In the last financial year, development applications on the Coast were up by nine per cent and building approvals by three per cent.

The development boom is facing few blockages on major projects with Planning and Environment Court appeals tracking at less than one per cent of decisions made.

Planning committee chair Cameron Caldwell told the Bulletin: “Council welcomes the strong volumes of development activity for the 2021-22 year.

“The increase this year in building and plumbing approvals indicate that the post-Covid upswing in construction activity has continued.

“Positive sentiment in the property market and high demand means developers are looking to activate approvals and deliver housing product.

“With an evolving economic climate higher interest rates and construction costs, we will continue to closely monitor development activity.”

But Cr Caldwell remains confident about the longer term outlook for the construction industry which remains one of the city’s biggest employers.

“The Gold Coast is an attractive place to live, work and play which supports a healthy property and construction industry,” he said.

“Construction remains an important pillar of the local economy — cranes in the sky means jobs on the ground.”

A previous development activity report to council in December last year showed the quick pace of approvals with 98 per cent of applications assessed by delegated authority rather than going to council committee.

Graphs showed planning appeals after spiking in 20-21 had begun to drop off again.

Applications in 2021 peaked in March and spiked again in November, according to the report.

Gold Coast City Council planning chair Cameron Caldwell looks at proposed changes to the City Plan. He remains confident about the construction industry.

Leading real estate agents in their April-June reporting remain upbeat saying now is the right time to sell because supply of housing stock remains so low.

Andrew and Luke Henderson in their report focusing on Mermaid Beach to Miami area said the last few years had produced the largest and most dynamic short term capital gains for owners.

“The economy has commenced transitioning post-Covid with a cocktail of interest rate rises, increasing cost of living, reduced consumer confidence and inflation but we have been pleasantly surprised with some great property sale prices still being achieved,” they wrote.

Palm Beach development — a hot spot for construction. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

The market remained strong with migration tipped to continue along with strong tourist numbers, while property supplies remained limited.

“Right now is the best time to sell, while property availability remains low. Don’t wait for the spring when you may face more market competition,” the Hendersons wrote.

The beachfront suburb was “evolving” with new construction of high rise and medium rise along with home renovations.

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