<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>337497</docID> <postdate>2025-02-03 15:28:38</postdate> <headline>Extra houses a ‘fairytale’ as approvals falter</headline> <body><p><strong>The ACT Labor government’s promise to build 30,000 extra new dwellings by 2030 was nothing more than a fairytale, said Opposition Leader Leanne Castley following the release of new figures from the ABS showing residential building approvals are continuing to slide.</strong></p> <p>The figures show the number of houses approved in the ACT fell by 24.5 per cent in the last 12 months, the number of multi-unit approvals declined by 58.2 per cent and, overall, all approvals fell by 51 per cent.</p> <p>Ms Castley said the falls over two years are even more severe: a 49 per cent decline in approvals for houses, 65 per cent for multi-unit blocks, and 61 per cent overall.</p> <p>“Today’s figures should send a shockwave across the ACT community where local residents faced with a housing cost and availability crisis are seeing less and less houses and units being approvedâ€, Ms Castley said.</p> <p>“Labor’s election promise to build an extra 30,000 new dwellings by 2030 is nothing more than a pipedream and is more evidence that this is a tired and out-of-touch government who can’t deliver.</p> <p>“And its not just those local residents who are doing it tough because of rising housing costs, it’s also a strong warning bell to the ACT construction sector with job losses likely to the outcome."</p> <p>Ms Castley said the the government should release more land in a timely manner and make it easier for building approvals.</p> <p> </p> </body>