Media Release
From the Building Commissioner
Monday 5 October 2009
Victorian building industry records second month of growth in 2009-10 fin year
Victoria’s building industry has experienced a second month of significant growth in the value of
building permits issued in almost all regions.
Announcing the latest pulse statistics on Victoria’s building permit activity, Building
Commissioner, Tony Arnel, said the value of permits issued in August 2009 totalled $1.9 billion
an increase of 12 per cent from $1.7 billion in August 2008.
“All regions, except for Inner Melbourne and Gippsland, experienced growth, with rural areas the
strongest. North West, North Central, South West and North East all grew by 104 per cent, 94
per cent, 50 per cent and 46 per cent. Total rural building permits issued grew by 52 per cent,”
Mr Arnel said.
“When we look at the data for building permit use, Public Buildings, Domestic and Industrial and
grew 262 per cent, 12 per cent and 12 per cent respectively.
”However, it should be noted that the State and Federal stimulus packages and the extension of
the first home buyers grant have positively affected the August building permit data.”
AUGUST 2009 BUILDING PERMIT STATISTICS IN DETAIL
By region
$M
%
change compared to July 08
Inner Melbourne
$647
-6 %
Outer Melbourne
$706
9 %
Total metropolitan
$1,353
1 %
Gippsland
$84
-3 %
North Central
$110
94 %
North East
$70
46 %
North West
$107
104 %
South West
$142
50 %
Total rural
$514
52 %
Total (Victoria)
$1,868
12 %
By building use
$M
%
change compared to July 08
Domestic
$1,017
12 %
Residential
$71
-53 %
Commercial
$180
-26 %
Retail
$90
-38 %
Industrial
$27
12 %
Hospital/Healthcare
$36
-60 %
Public buildings
$448
262 %
Total (Victoria)
$1,868
12 %
The Building Commission collects Victorian building information, monthly from building
surveyors, who provide details of the building permits they issue. This media release is based on
a summary of this information.
For more information on building statistics, visit the Building Commission’s pulse website at
NEWS 
