October 2018 sees Second Highest Consenting for New Housing, Over 10,000 Completed thus far in 2018

Written by Ben Ross - Talking Auckland

Still most are Brownfield developments

Housing continues to perform strongly on the back of news residential construction is finally matching population growth while slowly clearing out the 48,000 housing deficit.

From Auckland Council: 

Auckland Monthly Housing Update for December

Auckland Council’s Research and Evaluation Unit (RIMU) has released its Monthly Housing Update for December, bringing together the latest significant Auckland housing-related statistics.

In October, 1077 dwellings were consented, bringing the total for the year to October to 13,078, the highest number of dwellings consented in a 12-month period in Auckland on record. Similarly, October was a record month for Code Compliance Certificates (CCC) issued, with 10,443 dwellings issued with a CCCs in the year to October.

Key findings:

  • 1077 dwellings were consented in October.
  • In the year ending September 2018, 13,078 dwellings were consented in the region.
  • 62 per cent of new dwellings consented in October 2018 were houses, 5 per cent were apartments and 33 per cent were townhouses, flats, units, retirement units, or other types of dwellings.
  • 82 per cent of dwellings consented in October 2018 were inside the 2010 MUL. Over the past 12 months, 82 per cent of new dwellings consented were inside the 2010 MUL.
  • 865 dwellings were ‘completed’ by having a Code Compliance Certificate (CCC) issued in October 2018.
  • In the year ending October 2018, 10,443 dwellings were issued with a CCC.

The full report can be found on Knowledge Auckland here.

From Auckland Council Planning Committee Chair, Councillor Chris Darby:

“Our Unitary Plan is facilitating delivery of a compact, quality city. The strong dwelling numbers we’re seeing now are evidence of the market response to demand for housing in urban areas.

“People want to live in connected communities, with access to jobs, schools and amenities such as parks and shops.”

”These numbers strengthen the case for more investment in rapid public transit, such as rail, light rail and busways, to provide people with greater access to frequent and efficient transport services. This is becoming an important factor for people when choosing where they want to live.”

From Auckland Council Chief Economist David Norman:

“The new dwelling consent data shows that last month’s breather in new dwellings consented was short-lived. A new record high annual number of dwellings has been set, at 13,078 for the year to October 2018. The number of new dwellings consented in October was 1,077, the second-highest ever recorded, and new dwellings consented are up 25% year-on-year.

“I note that the number of dwellings consented in November 2017 was exceptionally high, at 1,450 new dwellings. This makes it less likely that we will see total new dwellings consented in the year to November 2018 rise over this month’s annual total, when that data is released in January.”

.With the 18/19 Summer construction season well underway as evident in Southern Auckland at the moment we should see more housing completed by the end of said season Easter next year. 

With most developments also being Brownfield for now (intensification) it will take pressure off authorities needing to provide expensive infrastructure to otherwise service Greenfield sprawl (note: I did not say eliminate sprawl). 

Excellent to see but still more to do!