8762.0 - Engineering Construction Activity, Australia, Mar 2005  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 15/07/2005   
   Page tools: Print Print Page Print all pages in this productPrint All

MARCH KEY FIGURES

Mar qtr 05
Dec qtr 04 to Mar qtr 05
Mar qtr 04 to Mar qtr 05
$m
% change
% change

TREND ESTIMATES VOLUME TERMS(a)

Value of work done
For the private sector
4,218.0
4.2
8.2
For the public sector(b)
3,204.2
1.2
12.3
Total engineering construction
7,425.8
2.9
10.1

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED VOLUME TERMS(a)

Value of work done
For the private sector
4,278.8
4.9
9.1
For the public sector(b)
3,303.5
10.0
16.2
Total engineering construction
7,582.3
7.1
12.1

(a) Chain volume measures, reference year 2002-03.
(b) Includes work done by the private sector for the public sector and work done by the public sector.

Value of work done, Total engineering - Volume terms
Graph: Value of work done Total Engineering Volume terms

Value of work done, Volume terms - Trend estimates
Graph: Value of work done Volume terms Trend estimates



MARCH KEY POINTS


VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK DONE, VOLUME TERMS

Trend estimates

  • The trend estimate for the value of total engineering construction work done rose 2.9% in the March 2005 quarter. The trend has now risen for sixteen consecutive quarters.
  • The trend estimate for the value of work done for the private sector rose 4.2% in the March 2005 quarter. Work done for the public sector rose 1.2% in the March quarter.

Seasonally adjusted estimates
  • The seasonally adjusted estimate for the value of total engineering construction work done in the March 2005 quarter rose 7.1% to $7,582.3m, the sixth consecutive quarterly rise in this series.
  • The seasonally adjusted estimate for the value of work done for the private sector rose 4.9%, to $4,278.8m in the March 2005 quarter. The value of work done for the public sector rose 10.0% to $3,303.5m.

Original estimates
  • The value of work done in the March 2005 quarter fell 2.2%, to $7,102.9m. This is still the third highest level reported after the record high in the December 2004 quarter.
  • The value of work done for the private sector was $4,081.8m, which was 3.8% lower than the $4,245.2m reported in the December 2004 quarter. Work done for the public sector rose 0.2%, to $3,021.1m, following a 1.9% increase in the December 2004 quarter.


NOTES

CHANGES IN THIS ISSUE

Time series spreadsheets will be released in Excel format for the first time with the June quarter 2005 issue of this publication on 12 October 2005. A concordance between the current Lotus 1,2,3 spreadsheets and the proposed Excel spreadsheets is available in 'Information Paper: Changes to Ausstats Tables for Engineering Construction Activity, Australia' (cat. no. 8762.0.55.001).


The information paper is on the ABS website at www.abs.gov.au. From the home page go to 'Access to all ABS products and statistics, including AusStats'/'publications and data'/'information papers'/'by catalogue/subject' and choose '87 Buildings and Construction'.



SIGNIFICANT REVISIONS THIS QUARTER

Compared with the current price original terms estimates published in the previous issue of this publication:

  • The September quarter 2004 estimates have been revised upwards $438.2m for work commenced, $77.6m for work done and $401.5m work yet to be done. This was predominantly due to revisions in 'electricity generation, transmission and distribution' in South Australia.
  • The December quarter 2004 estimates have been revised upwards by $689.9m for work commenced, $174.2m for work done and $924.0m for work yet to be done. This was mainly due to revisions in 'electricity generation, transmission and distribution' in South Australia and Western Australia.


DATA NOTES

The engineering construction trend estimates for Tasmania and the Northern Territory have been revised to reflect a changed treatment of the prolonged effect two large projects are having on the state level estimates. Both these series now contain a break reflecting the sudden and large change in trend estimate levels caused by the starts of these projects.



INQUIRIES

For further information about these and related statistics, contact the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070 or Willie Hynd on Adelaide (08) 8237 7381.



SUMMARY COMMENTARY


VALUE OF WORK DONE, STATES AND TERRITORIES


CHAIN VOLUME MEASURES - TREND ESTIMATES

NEW SOUTH WALES

Graph: NSW, value of work done, trend estimates, chain volume measures



The trend estimate for the value of work done has grown for ten consecutive quarters, with the rate of growth slowing in recent quarters.


VICTORIA

Graph: Vic, value of work done, trend estimates, chain volume measures



The trend estimate for the value of work done declined in the past two quarters after a period of growth since the September quarter 2001.


QUEENSLAND

Graph: Qld, value of work done, trend estimates, chain volume measures



After being in decline in the June and September quarters 2003, the trend estimate has shown growth over the past four quarters.


SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Graph: SA, value of work done, trend estimates, chain volume measures



he trend estimate for work done increased marginally in the September 2004 quarter following four quarters of decline.


WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Graph: WA, value of work done, trend estimates, chain volume measures



The trend estimate for the value of work done has shown an increase for the last three quarters following a period of decline in late 2003.


TASMANIA

Graph: Tas, value of work done, trend estimates, chain volume measures


The trend estimate for work done has shown an upward movement since December 2001.


NORTHERN TERRITORY

Graph: NT, value of work done, trend estimates, chain volume measures


The trend estimate for the value of work done has moved into decline after a period of growth since the September quarter 2001.


AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

Graph: ACT, value of work done, trend estimates, chain volume measures



After three months of decline, the trend estimate for work done has increased for the past two quarters.