The Housing Industry Association says the latest housing figures for the Hunter show consumer sentiment remains strong.
Across the Hunter and Central Coast building approvals for residential dwellings are up 13 per cent for the first half of 2014 when compared to the same period last year.
The number of apartments and townhouses is also on the rise with a 67 per cent increase for the first six months of the year.
HIA Hunter executive director Chris Jennion says in Cessnock alone that figure is up 300 per cent.
“It’s good to see some good news coming from the Hunter area, particularly with all the issues with mining in the last year or two,” he said.
“2013 was a fairly good year as well so to see continual growth in the Hunter is fantastic for the industry.
“It shows that consumer sentiment is still strong here in the Hunter and we’d like to see that continue.”
The HIA says Lake Macquarie is leading the way when it comes to approvals for new homes in the Hunter.
For the first half of 2014 there has been a 23 per cent increase in the local government area for new home approvals when compared to 2013.
Mr Jennion says Lake Macquarie has now overtaken Maitland for the most home building approvals.
He says Cameron Park has been a popular place for new homes.
“It’s had some real growth in the last year.
“In fact we’re in the middle of housing awards season where we go out and judge projects and we literally had a full day judging projects throughout the Cameron Park Estate and so we are seeing that as a place where people are wanting to live.
“We find also similar on the western side of Newcastle around Fletcher, on the roads out to Minmi being a bit of a hot spot closer to town.”
Source: ABC Online, 22 September 2014