MOUNT Gambier has enjoyed a $67m boom in development approvals over the past 18 months, with the city’s building sector bolstered by an upswing in residential development applications.
Mount Gambier City Council’s 2017/18 building statistics show 51 residential developments have been approved to date this year, up on 43 residential approvals at the same time last year.
Council’s development services manager Tracy Tzioutziouklaris said total spend on new buildings in 2018, including 16 commercial developments, was over $22m at the end of June.
“At this stage the data suggests we are on track to receive more development applications in 2018 than we did in 2017,” Ms Tzioutziouklaris said.
“Ideally we will see an increase on last year as that would suggest the economy is improving and more jobs will be available to a range of employees in the building sector.
“The building industry in Mount Gambier is relatively constant, so this gradual increase is positive.”
A further 13 dwelling additions and 71 outbuildings have been approved by council in the past six months.
Blue Lake Homes manager Elliott Jones said his business was enjoying a “buoyant” year.
“The last 18 months and particularly the last 12 months have been really good for us,” Mr Jones said.
“Right now we are building two modules in the yard, which is unheard of – that has not happened for five years.
“I’m not sure why we are building so many new homes because the population doesn’t seem to be growing – I think we are building more investment properties.
“I can’t explain it, but I’ll roll with it.”
Mr Jones said the city’s building industry was most clearly affected by national trends in the banking sector.
“In 2013, the banks stopped lending money and that killed us,” he said.
“We certainly notice immediately when the banks are handing out loans and when they stop lending – that has a definite impact on our industry.
“A couple of years ago it was all over the shop, but at the moment the residential development market is buoyant.
“It would be great if it could continue like this for the next 18 months.”
