1308.8 - In fACT - Statistical Information on the ACT and Region, Aug 2009  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 20/08/2009   
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MEDIA RELEASE
August 20, 2009
Embargoed: 11.30 am (AEST)
57/2009

Australian Capital Region dwellings on the up-and-up

Census results for the 20 years to 2006 show the number of dwellings in the Australian Capital Region (ACR) increased by 81,190, or 51%. New dwelling approvals over the 3 years to June 2009 are anticipated to boost the number of dwellings in the ACR by 11,130 (4.6%).

Northern Districts of the ACT show the highest number of new dwelling approvals for the last 3 years with Belconnen recording 2,340 dwellings, followed by Gungahlin-Hall (2,210). Weston-Creek-Stromolo had the lowest number of new dwellings (130). Of the 17 NSW local government areas that comprise the ACR the areas with the highest number of new dwelling approvals were Queanbeyan (640), Eurobodalla (610), Bega Valley (400), and Palerang (340).

The proportion of separate houses in the ACR declined from 81% in 1986 to 78% in 2006. Separate houses made up 60% of the new dwelling approvals since 2006.

Canberrans have a preference for larger homes, demonstrated by the increasing average size of homes that have four or more bedrooms. From 1986 to 2006, the proportion of these dwellings in the ACR increased from 23% to 34%. ACT increased from 26% to 36% and the surrounding 17 NSW areas from 19% to 31%.

Similar to national trends, the number of dwellings in the ACR increased by 51%, but the number of people increased by only 28%, This is due to a number of factors including families having fewer children, an increase in lone and couples-only households and a higher prevalence of second or holiday homes.

Further details can be found in the Feature Article: Dwellings in the ACR in the August 2009 issue of In fACT - Statistical Information on the ACT and Region (cat. no. 1308.8) available for free download from the ABS website www.abs.gov.au

Media Note: Please ensure when reporting on ABS data that you attribute the Australian Bureau of Statistics (or the ABS) as the source.