Opportunities for apprenticeships in Mackay could receive a boost, after recent data revealed that the region’s building and construction sector is one of the strongest in Queensland.
According to the December 2012 regional building approval figures, released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics this week (February 4), the state’s residential construction industry continues to enjoy significant growth.
Dwelling unit approvals in Queensland increased 7.9 per cent from 2,256 in November to 2,435 in December 2012.
“Queensland has bucked the national trend, which saw total dwellings approved fall by 4.4 per cent for the same period,” Master Builders director of housing policy Paul Bidwell explained.
“Another positive from these figures is that over the 12 month period to December 2012 there was an improvement on the previous 12 months, with total dwelling unit approvals 3.8 per cent higher, rising from 26,526 in 2011 to 27,527 in 2012.”
Mr Bidwell went on to say that regional Queensland was the strongest performer, with the Mackay and Whitsunday regions recording the biggest increase in residential approvals (93.6 per cent).
Central Queensland saw a 53.2 per cent increase, followed by the Darling Downs and south-west regions, with a 39.8 per cent lift.
