Housing construction activity across the Hunter and Central Coast performed strongly during 2025/26, according to new figures from the Housing Industry Association, with Singleton recording the strongest percentage growth in the region.
HIA Hunter Executive Director Craig Jennion said 5,397 dwelling approvals were recorded across the Hunter during the past financial year, an increase of 4 per cent on 2024/25, while the Central Coast recorded 1,317 approvals, up 8 per cent. Detached housing approvals rose 13 per cent in the Hunter and 18 per cent on the Central Coast over the 12 months to June 2026, while multi-unit approvals declined 7 per cent and 6 per cent respectively.
Most residential building activity continued to occur in Maitland, Central Coast, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle and Cessnock, which together accounted for 83.3 per cent of all dwelling approvals. Port Stephens recorded the largest increase in total approvals, with an additional 229 dwellings approved compared with the previous financial year, driven largely by detached housing.
On a percentage basis, Singleton recorded the strongest growth in the region, with approvals increasing by 206 per cent during the financial year, driven by a 150 per cent rise in detached housing approvals and supported by several multi-unit developments. Detached homes remained the preferred choice for buyers overall, accounting for 61.3 per cent of approvals in the Hunter and 65.4 per cent on the Central Coast.
