Sarah Courtney,Minister for Building and Construction
Tasmania’s housing sector remains strong, according to lending finance data released by the ABS today.
The data shows that lending for the construction of new homes in the year to March 2019 grew 19.2 per cent in Tasmania compared to the previous year. This was the highest in the country and Tasmania was one of only two states that had positive growth.
The number of first home buyers entering the market continues to grow with 20.5 per cent more first home buyers in the year to March 2019, compared to the previous year. This was the fastest growth rate in the country.
In the year to March 2019, nearly 2000 people bought their first home in Tasmania.
The strong result is testament to the work the Hodgman Liberal Government has been doing to stimulate construction both in the public and private housing markets.
Only yesterday we announced we would extend the first home builders grant in the upcoming budget, to help more young Tasmanians into home ownership.
We are also continuing to work through our Affordable Housing Strategy to provide more affordable homes to Tasmanians in need.
