Tasmania is leading the nation in dwelling commencements, according to new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). 

According to the data, Tasmania’s new home building industry outperformed all other states and territories during the 2017-18 period.

The state’s dwelling commencements rose by 29.4 percent during the period, which is also the strongest increase among all states and territories, and three times the national rate of growth. 

Building and construction minister Guy Barnett says this reflects confidence in the Tasmanian economy. 
The recently-released Housing Industry Association (HIA) Housing Scorecard also showed that Tasmania registered strong growth in new detached home growth and the emerging first homebuyers market. 

“This strength in the industry should not be taken for granted,” says HIA executive director Rick Sassin.

“All governments must continue to support the housing industry and improve on the state’s housing and planning policies to enable ongoing and sustainable growth in Tasmania’s residential building sector and wider economy.

“At this most critical stage of state council elections, all parties need to show Tasmanians how they are reducing red tape and improving planning and building approvals processes to ensure the continued health of our industry.”