New dwelling approvals behind nearly $70m in development across Toowoomba region during August

New housing approvals are behind a nearly $70 million development showing by the Toowoomba region during August, as the effects of the HomeBuilder grant start to take shape.

Toowoomba has seen an explosion in the value of new dwellings.

Toowoomba residents appear to be taking advantage of the Federal Government’s new HomeBuilder grant, with council figures revealing new housing approvals were behind a strong month for the development industry in August.

Toowoomba Regional Council planning and development general manager Stewart Somers revealed in his monthly report that nearly $70 million in building works were approved during the month, with $48 million of that attributed to 49 new detached dwellings.

It is the highest monthly overall value result for the region since December last year, and up from the $61 million result in July.

Renovations, extensions and other minor building projects were also strong during August, with 183 works approved at an approximate value of nearly $15 million.

This has continued a renovation trend that started in Toowoomba during COVID-19 back in March.

“Building approval numbers have been fluctuating for the last 12 months,” Mr Somers’ report said.

“For August 2020, approval numbers and value functions have increased compared to July 2020.”