Building approvals fall as high rise apartment development languishes

Building approvals fell 6.1 percent in August after a rise of 11 percent in July, mostly driven by the apartment sector, new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics has revealed. Figures released yesterday show the number of total dwellings approved in the last month of winter was 13,991, with the biggest decline in NSW and South Australia, both at -11.5 percent, seasonally adjusted. However, approvals for private dwellings excluding houses — townhouses and apartments — saw a 16.5 percent drop on the same time last year.

The fall has been attributed to the drop in approval for high density apartments blocks more than nine storeys high. Figures show there were 1,214 apartments approved in August 2024 compared with 2,504 in July.

Property Council of Australia Group Executive Policy and Advocacy Matthew Kandelaars said the numbers were disappointing.

“We need to increase the number of homes approved and ensure a strong pipeline of apartment supply, to drive towards our housing targets at scale,” Mr Kandelaars said.

“But the reality is that it has never been more difficult and costly to get apartments out of the ground.”

He said ‘apartment-killer’ taxes and planning systems had had a negative effect on housing supply at a time when the country is struggling to deal with a housing crisis.

“Over the past year, we approved nearly 9,000 fewer apartments and townhouses across the country than in the preceding 12-month period,” he said.

“We need that number to increase month on month to build the homes Australians need.”

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping business, investment and competitive advantage, and now Australia’s property industry is being told it cannot afford to sit on the sidelines.

International keynote speaker and AI strategist Justin Kabbani will headline the Kanebridge Property Summit at RACA Sydney on June 18, bringing rare insight into how forward-thinking property professionals can use AI to move faster, make smarter decisions and gain a serious edge in an increasingly competitive market.

Justin Kabbani, International keynote speaker and AI strategist

Tickets to the exclusive summit are already selling fast.

Having worked with global brands including Uber, PepsiCo, Mattel and Destination NSW, Kabbani has become one of the leading voices on how businesses can turn AI from a buzzword into a genuine commercial advantage.

Known for his high-energy and highly practical presentations, Kabbani cuts through the hype surrounding AI and focuses on what actually matters: productivity, growth, leadership and real-world business results.

His keynote will explore how AI is already transforming industries globally, and what property developers, investors, agents and business leaders need to understand now to avoid being left behind.

Importantly, the session is designed to be practical, not theoretical.

Attendees will hear how AI can be applied across marketing, sales, operations and decision-making to improve efficiency, sharpen strategy and create new competitive advantages in a rapidly changing business environment.

The summit will also feature an exclusive roundtable bringing together leading property and finance experts for a candid, off-the-record Q&A exploring the forces shaping investment, development and wealth creation across Australia’s prestige property market.

The event follows the success of last year’s sold-out summit and will once again be hosted by respected MC John Alten.

With AI becoming one of the biggest disruptors facing business, the June 18 summit is expected to attract strong interest from property professionals, investors and business leaders looking to stay ahead of the curve.

The followings are included in every ticket:

Full access to keynote sessions and the interactive roundtable.
Premium selection of canapés and beverages throughout the evening.
Complimentary annual digital subscription to two leading publications (Wall Street Journal and Kanebridge Quarterly), providing essential coverage of local and global markets, property trends and investment strategy.

Tickets are limited and selling quickly and you can buy here.

Building approvals fall as high rise apartment development languishes

The latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show little headway being made in the Federal Government’s push to create more housing

International AI strategist Justin Kabbani will headline the Kanebridge Property Summit in Sydney on June 18, with tickets selling fast.