“Building Boom:” Shire of Augusta Margaret River reports record number of building projects

Augusta and Margaret River are in the middle of a “building boom” with $150 million worth of projects approved over the past year.

The “huge spike in applications” has led to record number of approvals, Shire Planning Manager Matt Cuthbert said.

The Shire issued 711 building permits in the 2020-21 financial year, a huge leap on the three year average of 565.

376 of these permits were for new dwellings — up on the three year average of 262.

The Shire also determined 521 planning applications.

Mr Cuthbert insisted that the benefits of the boom would outweigh the challenges.

“Over the past twelve months we’ve witnessed a boom in the number of people seeking approvals to either build new housing, renovate their existing homes, or construct or improve commercial buildings,” he said.

“This has translated into a major economic stimulus for our local economy.”

The $150 million valuation of the projects is well above the three-year average of $92 million.