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.

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.

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.

“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 approved”, Ms Castley said.

“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.

“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.”

Ms Castley said the the government should release more land in a timely manner and make it easier for building approvals.