Small area dwelling demolition approvals

Preliminary data on the number of dwellings approved to be demolished from the September 2016 quarter to the June 2021 quarter

Released

8/10/2021

Source

Building Approvals, Australia, August 2021

Preface

Dwelling stock statistics are currently only available from the Census of Population and Housing every five years. More frequent estimates of dwelling stock are valuable for economic and housing policy development and evaluation, and informing planning and service provision decisions. The Australian Bureau of Statistics is currently developing a methodology for the production of quarterly estimates of small area dwelling stock for release in 2022. This article presents preliminary data on the number of dwellings approved for demolition from the September 2016 quarter to the June 2021 quarter by Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2).

If you have any feedback on these preliminary data and the potential for producing ongoing quarterly estimates beyond 2022, please email construction@abs.gov.au.

Key statistics

There were 114,323 dwellings approved to be demolished in the five-year period from the September 2016 quarter to the June 2021 quarter.
93.5% of all dwellings approved to be demolished were houses.
The March 2021 quarter had the largest number of dwelling demolition approvals (6,460 dwellings).
The states recording the largest numbers of dwellings approved to be demolished were Victoria (37,954 dwellings) and New South Wales (33,912 dwellings).

Dwelling demolitions approved, Australia (a)
Quarter	Dwellings approved to be demolished
Sep-16	5,634
Dec-16	5,679
Mar-17	5,545
Jun-17	6,136
Sep-17	5,902
Dec-17	5,719
Mar-18	5,517
Jun-18	5,904
Sep-18	5,947
Dec-18	5,185
Mar-19	5,346
Jun-19	5,438
Sep-19	5,556
Dec-19	5,543
Mar-20	5,042
Jun-20	5,236
Sep-20	5,971
Dec-20	6,219
Mar-21	6,460
Jun-21	6,344

Dwelling demolitions approved, Australia (a)

["Quarter","Dwellings approved to be demolished"]

[["Sep-16","Dec-16","Mar-17","Jun-17","Sep-17","Dec-17","Mar-18","Jun-18","Sep-18","Dec-18","Mar-19","Jun-19","Sep-19","Dec-19","Mar-20","Jun-20","Sep-20","Dec-20","Mar-21","Jun-21"],[[5634],[5679],[5545],[6136],[5902],[5719],[5517],[5904],[5947],[5185],[5346],[5438],[5556],[5543],[5042],[5236],[5971],[6219],[6460],[6344]]]

[]

[{"value":"0","axis_id":"0","axis_title":" ","axis_units":"","tooltip_units":"","table_units":"","axis_min":null,"axis_max":null,"tick_interval":null,"precision":"-1","data_unit_prefix":"","data_unit_suffix":"","reverse_axis":false}]

[{"value":"0","axis_id":"0","axis_title":"no.","axis_units":"","tooltip_units":"","table_units":"","axis_min":null,"axis_max":null,"tick_interval":null,"precision":"-1","data_unit_prefix":"","data_unit_suffix":"","reverse_axis":false}]

(a) South Australian dwelling demolition approvals have not been included for the June 2021 quarter. Refer to the Methodology section for more information.

In the five-year period from the September 2016 quarter to the June 2021 quarter, there were 114,323 dwellings approved to be demolished in Australia. The lowest quarter was the March 2020 quarter (5,042 dwellings). The highest quarter was the March 2021 quarter (6,460 dwellings), followed by the June 2021 quarter (6,344 dwellings) and the December 2020 quarter (6,219 dwellings) - the three most recent quarters.

New South Wales

Dwelling demolitions approved, New South Wales
Quarter	Dwellings approved to be demolished
Sep-16	1,716
Dec-16	1,627
Mar-17	1,590
Jun-17	1,812
Sep-17	1,682
Dec-17	1,650
Mar-18	1,816
Jun-18	1,673
Sep-18	1,793
Dec-18	1,492
Mar-19	1,315
Jun-19	1,562
Sep-19	1,499
Dec-19	1,658
Mar-20	1,274
Jun-20	1,639
Sep-20	1,699
Dec-20	2,012
Mar-21	2,061
Jun-21	2,342

Dwelling demolitions approved, New South Wales

["Quarter","Dwellings approved to be demolished"]

[["Sep-16","Dec-16","Mar-17","Jun-17","Sep-17","Dec-17","Mar-18","Jun-18","Sep-18","Dec-18","Mar-19","Jun-19","Sep-19","Dec-19","Mar-20","Jun-20","Sep-20","Dec-20","Mar-21","Jun-21"],[[1716],[1627],[1590],[1812],[1682],[1650],[1816],[1673],[1793],[1492],[1315],[1562],[1499],[1658],[1274],[1639],[1699],[2012],[2061],[2342]]]

[]

[{"value":"0","axis_id":"0","axis_title":" ","axis_units":"","tooltip_units":"","table_units":"","axis_min":null,"axis_max":null,"tick_interval":null,"precision":"-1","data_unit_prefix":"","data_unit_suffix":"","reverse_axis":false}]

[{"value":"0","axis_id":"0","axis_title":"no.","axis_units":"","tooltip_units":"","table_units":"","axis_min":null,"axis_max":null,"tick_interval":null,"precision":"-1","data_unit_prefix":"","data_unit_suffix":"","reverse_axis":false}]

In the five-year period from the September 2016 quarter to the June 2021 quarter, there were 33,192 dwellings approved to be demolished in New South Wales. The highest quarter was the June 2021 quarter (2,342 dwellings), followed by the March 2021 quarter (2,061 dwellings) and the December 2020 quarter (2,012 dwellings).

Areas with the largest number of dwelling demolitions approved, New South Wales
SA2	Houses	Other residential	Total
Macquarie Park - Marsfield	106	369	475
Panania - Milperra - Picnic Point	469	0	469
Merrylands - Holroyd	426	3	429
Eastwood - Denistone	401	2	403
Ermington - Rydalmere	391	0	391
Ryde	357	32	389
Greystanes - Pemulwuy	363	5	368
Miranda - Yowie Bay	357	7	364
Guildford West - Merrylands West	348	9	357
Wentworthville - Westmead	301	22	323

The SA2 with the most dwelling demolitions approved in New South Wales from the September 2016 quarter to the June 2021 quarter was Macquarie Park - Marsfield. In this area, there were 475 dwelling demolitions approved, 106 of which were houses and 369 of which were other residential dwellings. Other SA2s with high numbers of dwelling demolitions approved were Panania - Milperra - Picnic Point (469 dwellings), Merrylands - Holroyd (429 dwellings) and Eastwood - Denistone (403 dwellings).

Victoria

Dwelling demolitions approved, Victoria
Quarter	Dwellings approved to be demolished
Sep-16	1,862
Dec-16	1,967
Mar-17	1,902
Jun-17	1,948
Sep-17	1,901
Dec-17	2,115
Mar-18	1,846
Jun-18	2,059
Sep-18	1,977
Dec-18	1,857
Mar-19	1,746
Jun-19	1,836
Sep-19	1,772
Dec-19	1,887
Mar-20	1,842
Jun-20	1,819
Sep-20	1,712
Dec-20	1,704
Mar-21	1,941
Jun-21	2,261

Dwelling demolitions approved, Victoria

["Quarter","Dwellings approved to be demolished"]

[["Sep-16","Dec-16","Mar-17","Jun-17","Sep-17","Dec-17","Mar-18","Jun-18","Sep-18","Dec-18","Mar-19","Jun-19","Sep-19","Dec-19","Mar-20","Jun-20","Sep-20","Dec-20","Mar-21","Jun-21"],[[1862],[1967],[1902],[1948],[1901],[2115],[1846],[2059],[1977],[1857],[1746],[1836],[1772],[1887],[1842],[1819],[1712],[1704],[1941],[2261]]]

[]

[{"value":"0","axis_id":"0","axis_title":" ","axis_units":"","tooltip_units":"","table_units":"","axis_min":null,"axis_max":null,"tick_interval":null,"precision":"-1","data_unit_prefix":"","data_unit_suffix":"","reverse_axis":false}]

[{"value":"0","axis_id":"0","axis_title":"no.","axis_units":"","tooltip_units":"","table_units":"","axis_min":null,"axis_max":null,"tick_interval":null,"precision":"-1","data_unit_prefix":"","data_unit_suffix":"","reverse_axis":false}]

In the five-year period from the September 2016 quarter to the June 2021 quarter, there were 37,954 dwellings approved to be demolished in Victoria. The highest quarter was the June 2021 quarter (2,261 dwellings), followed by the December 2017 quarter (2,115 dwellings) and the June 2018 quarter (2,059 dwellings).

Areas with the largest number of dwelling demolitions approved, Victoria
SA2	Houses	Other residential	Total
Heidelberg West	390	173	563
Bentleigh - McKinnon	449	7	456
Brighton	317	134	451
Balwyn North	433	2	435
Bentleigh East (North)	413	2	415
Keilor East	413	0	413
Mount Waverley - South	401	0	401
Ashwood - Chadstone	400	0	400
Glen Waverley - West	395	2	397
Pascoe Vale	384	12	396

The SA2 with the most dwelling demolitions approved in Victoria from the September 2016 quarter to the June 2021 quarter was Heidelberg West. In this area, there were 563 dwelling demolitions approved, 390 of which were houses and 173 of which were other residential dwellings. Other SA2s with high numbers of dwelling demolitions approved were Bentleigh - McKinnon (456 dwellings), Brighton (451 dwellings) and Balwyn North (435 dwellings).

Queensland

Dwelling demolitions approved, Queensland
Quarter	Dwellings approved to be demolished
Sep-16	686
Dec-16	648
Mar-17	658
Jun-17	705
Sep-17	709
Dec-17	624
Mar-18	641
Jun-18	673
Sep-18	679
Dec-18	583
Mar-19	638
Jun-19	658
Sep-19	634
Dec-19	623
Mar-20	676
Jun-20	521
Sep-20	785
Dec-20	777
Mar-21	824
Jun-21	972

Dwelling demolitions approved, Queensland

["Quarter","Dwellings approved to be demolished"]

[["Sep-16","Dec-16","Mar-17","Jun-17","Sep-17","Dec-17","Mar-18","Jun-18","Sep-18","Dec-18","Mar-19","Jun-19","Sep-19","Dec-19","Mar-20","Jun-20","Sep-20","Dec-20","Mar-21","Jun-21"],[[686],[648],[658],[705],[709],[624],[641],[673],[679],[583],[638],[658],[634],[623],[676],[521],[785],[777],[824],[972]]]

[]

[{"value":"0","axis_id":"0","axis_title":" ","axis_units":"","tooltip_units":"","table_units":"","axis_min":null,"axis_max":null,"tick_interval":null,"precision":"-1","data_unit_prefix":"","data_unit_suffix":"","reverse_axis":false}]

[{"value":"0","axis_id":"0","axis_title":"no.","axis_units":"","tooltip_units":"","table_units":"","axis_min":null,"axis_max":null,"tick_interval":null,"precision":"-1","data_unit_prefix":"","data_unit_suffix":"","reverse_axis":false}]

In the five-year period from the September 2016 quarter to the June 2021 quarter, there were 13,714 dwellings approved to be demolished in Queensland. The highest quarter was the June 2021 quarter (972 dwellings), followed by the March 2021 quarter (824 dwellings) and the September 2020 quarter (785 dwellings).

Areas with the largest number of dwelling demolitions approved, Queensland
SA2	Houses	Other residential	Total
Palm Beach	193	30	223
Surfers Paradise	147	61	208
Camp Hill	196	0	196
Mermaid Beach - Broadbeach	97	70	167
Tarragindi	159	0	159
Morningside - Seven Hills	143	11	154
Wavell Heights	152	0	152
Wynnum	122	29	151
Maroochydore - Kuluin	130	18	148
Mount Gravatt	146	0	146

The SA2 with the most dwelling demolitions approved in Queensland from the September 2016 quarter to the June 2021 quarter was Palm Beach. In this area, there were 223 dwelling demolitions approved, 193 of which were houses and 30 of which were other residential dwellings. Other SA2s with high numbers of dwelling demolitions approved were Surfers Paradise (208 dwellings), Camp Hill (196 dwellings) and Mermaid Beach - Broadbeach (167 dwellings).

South Australia

Dwelling demolitions approved, South Australia (a)
Quarter	Dwellings approved to be demolished
Sep-16	560
Dec-16	579
Mar-17	598
Jun-17	691
Sep-17	774
Dec-17	587
Mar-18	587
Jun-18	666
Sep-18	556
Dec-18	526
Mar-19	627
Jun-19	620
Sep-19	594
Dec-19	615
Mar-20	574
Jun-20	580
Sep-20	843
Dec-20	765
Mar-21	778

Dwelling demolitions approved, South Australia (a)

["Quarter","Dwellings approved to be demolished"]

[["Sep-16","Dec-16","Mar-17","Jun-17","Sep-17","Dec-17","Mar-18","Jun-18","Sep-18","Dec-18","Mar-19","Jun-19","Sep-19","Dec-19","Mar-20","Jun-20","Sep-20","Dec-20","Mar-21"],[[560],[579],[598],[691],[774],[587],[587],[666],[556],[526],[627],[620],[594],[615],[574],[580],[843],[765],[778]]]

[]

[{"value":"0","axis_id":"0","axis_title":" ","axis_units":"","tooltip_units":"","table_units":"","axis_min":null,"axis_max":null,"tick_interval":null,"precision":"-1","data_unit_prefix":"","data_unit_suffix":"","reverse_axis":false}]

[{"value":"0","axis_id":"0","axis_title":"no.","axis_units":"","tooltip_units":"","table_units":"","axis_min":null,"axis_max":null,"tick_interval":null,"precision":"-1","data_unit_prefix":"","data_unit_suffix":"","reverse_axis":false}]

(a) Dwelling demolition approvals for the June 2021 quarter have not been included. Refer to the Methodology section for more information.

In the five-year period from the September 2016 quarter to the March 2021 quarter, there were 12,120 dwellings approved to be demolished in South Australia. The highest quarter was the September 2020 quarter (843 dwellings), followed by the March 2021 quarter (778 dwellings) and the September 2017 quarter (774 dwellings).

Areas with the largest number of dwelling demolitions approved, South Australia
SA2	Houses	Other residential	Total
Rostrevor - Magill	476	27	503
Paradise - Newton	427	25	452
Warradale	409	22	431
Plympton	379	28	407
Morphettville	367	24	391
Enfield - Blair Athol	288	62	350
Flinders Park	312	34	346
Windsor Gardens	322	2	324
Henley Beach	251	56	307
Edwardstown	239	54	293

The SA2 with the most dwelling demolitions approved in South Australia from the September 2016 quarter to the June 2021 quarter was Rostrevor - Magill. In this area, there were 503 dwelling demolitions approved, 476 of which were houses and 27 of which were other residential dwellings. Other SA2s with high numbers of dwelling demolitions approved were Paradise - Newton (452 dwellings), Warradale (431 dwellings) and Plympton (407 dwellings).

Western Australia

Dwelling demolitions approved, Western Australia
Quarter	Dwellings approved to be demolished
Sep-16	541
Dec-16	611
Mar-17	575
Jun-17	592
Sep-17	515
Dec-17	609
Mar-18	539
Jun-18	605
Sep-18	544
Dec-18	634
Mar-19	915
Jun-19	646
Sep-19	559
Dec-19	639
Mar-20	567
Jun-20	508
Sep-20	816
Dec-20	831
Mar-21	703
Jun-21	636

Dwelling demolitions approved, Western Australia

["Quarter","Dwellings approved to be demolished"]

[["Sep-16","Dec-16","Mar-17","Jun-17","Sep-17","Dec-17","Mar-18","Jun-18","Sep-18","Dec-18","Mar-19","Jun-19","Sep-19","Dec-19","Mar-20","Jun-20","Sep-20","Dec-20","Mar-21","Jun-21"],[[541],[611],[575],[592],[515],[609],[539],[605],[544],[634],[915],[646],[559],[639],[567],[508],[816],[831],[703],[636]]]

[]

[{"value":"0","axis_id":"0","axis_title":" ","axis_units":"","tooltip_units":"","table_units":"","axis_min":null,"axis_max":null,"tick_interval":null,"precision":"-1","data_unit_prefix":"","data_unit_suffix":"","reverse_axis":false}]

[{"value":"0","axis_id":"0","axis_title":"no.","axis_units":"","tooltip_units":"","table_units":"","axis_min":null,"axis_max":null,"tick_interval":null,"precision":"-1","data_unit_prefix":"","data_unit_suffix":"","reverse_axis":false}]

In the five-year period from the September 2016 quarter to the June 2021 quarter, there were 12,585 dwellings approved to be demolished in Western Australia. The highest quarter was the March 2019 quarter (915 dwellings), followed by the December 2020 quarter (831 dwellings) and the September 2020 quarter (816 dwellings).

Areas with the largest number of dwelling demolitions approved, Western Australia
SA2	Houses	Other residential	Total
Bentley - Wilson - St James	213	309	522
Riverton - Shelley - Rossmoyne	286	24	310
Rivervale - Kewdale - Cloverdale	300	7	307
Nollamara - Westminster	247	4	251
Melville	232	9	241
Applecross - Ardross	186	51	237
Bayswater - Embleton - Bedford	234	1	235
Innaloo - Doubleview	219	16	235
Booragoon	223	12	235
Dianella	220	5	225

The SA2 with the most dwelling demolitions approved in Western Australia from the September 2016 quarter to the June 2021 quarter was Bentley - Wilson - St James. In this area, there were 522 dwelling demolitions approved, 213 of which were houses and 309 of which were other residential dwellings. Other SA2s with high numbers of dwelling demolitions approved were Riverton - Shelley - Rossmoyne (310 dwellings), Rivervale - Kewdale - Cloverdale (307 dwellings) and Nollamara - Westminster (251 dwellings).

Tasmania

Dwelling demolitions approved, Tasmania
Quarter	Dwellings approved to be demolished
Sep-16	23
Dec-16	21
Mar-17	23
Jun-17	20
Sep-17	38
Dec-17	52
Mar-18	16
Jun-18	17
Sep-18	37
Dec-18	19
Mar-19	35
Jun-19	19
Sep-19	20
Dec-19	23
Mar-20	22
Jun-20	11
Sep-20	31
Dec-20	24
Mar-21	31
Jun-21	8

Dwelling demolitions approved, Tasmania

["Quarter","Dwellings approved to be demolished"]

[["Sep-16","Dec-16","Mar-17","Jun-17","Sep-17","Dec-17","Mar-18","Jun-18","Sep-18","Dec-18","Mar-19","Jun-19","Sep-19","Dec-19","Mar-20","Jun-20","Sep-20","Dec-20","Mar-21","Jun-21"],[[23],[21],[23],[20],[38],[52],[16],[17],[37],[19],[35],[19],[20],[23],[22],[11],[31],[24],[31],[8]]]

[]

[{"value":"0","axis_id":"0","axis_title":" ","axis_units":"","tooltip_units":"","table_units":"","axis_min":null,"axis_max":null,"tick_interval":null,"precision":"-1","data_unit_prefix":"","data_unit_suffix":"","reverse_axis":false}]

[{"value":"0","axis_id":"0","axis_title":"no.","axis_units":"","tooltip_units":"","table_units":"","axis_min":null,"axis_max":null,"tick_interval":null,"precision":"-1","data_unit_prefix":"","data_unit_suffix":"","reverse_axis":false}]

In the five-year period from the September 2016 quarter to the June 2021 quarter, there were 490 dwellings approved to be demolished in Tasmania. The highest quarter was the December 2017 quarter (52 dwellings), followed by the September 2017 quarter (38 dwellings) and the September 2018 quarter (37 dwellings).

Areas with the largest number of dwelling demolitions approved, Tasmania
SA2	Houses	Other residential	Total
Lindisfarne - Rose Bay	9	41	50
Devonport	38	8	46
Bridgewater - Gagebrook	19	2	21
Berriedale - Chigwell	3	14	17
Launceston	17	0	17

The SA2 with the most dwelling demolitions approved in Tasmania from the September 2016 quarter to the June 2021 quarter was Lindisfarne - Rose Bay. In this area, there were 50 dwelling demolitions approved, 9 of which were houses and 41 of which were other residential dwellings. Devonport also had a high number of dwelling demolitions approved (46 dwellings).

Northern Territory

Dwelling demolitions approved, Northern Territory
Quarter	Dwellings approved to be demolished
Sep-16	8
Dec-16	22
Mar-17	31
Jun-17	13
Sep-17	12
Dec-17	1
Mar-18	14
Jun-18	10
Sep-18	35
Dec-18	5
Mar-19	10
Jun-19	10
Sep-19	9
Dec-19	15
Mar-20	11
Jun-20	82
Sep-20	9
Dec-20	14
Mar-21	2
Jun-21	35

Dwelling demolitions approved, Northern Territory

["Quarter","Dwellings approved to be demolished"]

[["Sep-16","Dec-16","Mar-17","Jun-17","Sep-17","Dec-17","Mar-18","Jun-18","Sep-18","Dec-18","Mar-19","Jun-19","Sep-19","Dec-19","Mar-20","Jun-20","Sep-20","Dec-20","Mar-21","Jun-21"],[[8],[22],[31],[13],[12],[1],[14],[10],[35],[5],[10],[10],[9],[15],[11],[82],[9],[14],[2],[35]]]

[]

[{"value":"0","axis_id":"0","axis_title":" ","axis_units":"","tooltip_units":"","table_units":"","axis_min":null,"axis_max":null,"tick_interval":null,"precision":"-1","data_unit_prefix":"","data_unit_suffix":"","reverse_axis":false}]

[{"value":"0","axis_id":"0","axis_title":"no.","axis_units":"","tooltip_units":"","table_units":"","axis_min":null,"axis_max":null,"tick_interval":null,"precision":"-1","data_unit_prefix":"","data_unit_suffix":"","reverse_axis":false}]

In the five-year period from the September 2016 quarter to the June 2021 quarter, there were 348 dwellings approved to be demolished in the Northern Territory. The highest quarter was the June 2020 quarter (82 dwellings), followed by the September 2018 and June 2021 quarters (both 35 dwellings).

Areas with the largest number of dwelling demolitions approved, Northern Territory
SA2	Houses	Other residential	Total
Nightcliff	78	0	78
Moulden	4	32	36
Gulf	21	3	24
Mount Johns	14	1	15
Victoria River	13	0	13

The SA2 with the most dwelling demolitions approved in Northern Territory from the September 2016 quarter to the June 2021 quarter was Nightcliff. In this area, there were 78 dwelling demolitions approved, all of which were houses. Other SA2s with high numbers of dwelling demolitions approved were Moulden (36 dwellings) and Gulf (24 dwellings).

Australian Capital Territory

Dwelling demolitions approved, Australian Capital Territory
Quarter	Dwellings approved to be demolished
Sep-16	238
Dec-16	204
Mar-17	168
Jun-17	355
Sep-17	271
Dec-17	81
Mar-18	58
Jun-18	201
Sep-18	326
Dec-18	69
Mar-19	60
Jun-19	87
Sep-19	469
Dec-19	83
Mar-20	76
Jun-20	76
Sep-20	76
Dec-20	92
Mar-21	120
Jun-21	90

Dwelling demolitions approved, Australian Capital Territory

["Quarter","Dwellings approved to be demolished"]

[["Sep-16","Dec-16","Mar-17","Jun-17","Sep-17","Dec-17","Mar-18","Jun-18","Sep-18","Dec-18","Mar-19","Jun-19","Sep-19","Dec-19","Mar-20","Jun-20","Sep-20","Dec-20","Mar-21","Jun-21"],[[238],[204],[168],[355],[271],[81],[58],[201],[326],[69],[60],[87],[469],[83],[76],[76],[76],[92],[120],[90]]]

[]

[{"value":"0","axis_id":"0","axis_title":" ","axis_units":"","tooltip_units":"","table_units":"","axis_min":null,"axis_max":null,"tick_interval":null,"precision":"-1","data_unit_prefix":"","data_unit_suffix":"","reverse_axis":false}]

[{"value":"0","axis_id":"0","axis_title":"no.","axis_units":"","tooltip_units":"","table_units":"","axis_min":null,"axis_max":null,"tick_interval":null,"precision":"-1","data_unit_prefix":"","data_unit_suffix":"","reverse_axis":false}]

In the five-year period from the September 2016 quarter to the June 2021 quarter, there were 3,200 dwellings approved to be demolished in the Australian Capital Territory. The highest quarter was the September 2019 quarter (469 dwellings), followed by the June 2017 quarter (355 dwellings) and the September 2018 quarter (326 dwellings). Quarterly spikes in the territory are often driven by approvals to demolish large public housing apartment blocks.

Areas with the largest number of dwelling demolitions approved, Australian Capital Territory
SA2	Houses	Other residential	Total
Braddon	16	220	236
Reid	5	228	233
Griffith	47	146	193
Turner	37	142	179
Narrabundah	98	72	170

The SA2 with the most dwelling demolitions approved in the Australian Capital Territory from the September 2016 quarter to the June 2021 quarter was Braddon. In this area, there were 236 dwelling demolitions approved, 16 of which were houses and 220 of which were other residential dwellings. Other SA2s with high numbers of dwelling demolitions approved were Reid (233 dwellings) and Griffith (193 dwellings).

Methodology

Data notes

The data covers only dwellings which have been approved to be fully demolished by a local council or other approving authority (see 'Scope and coverage' for more information).

The data do not represent actual demolitions taking place (i.e. it does not account for demolitions that were approved but did not go ahead, or for the time lag between approval and actual demolition). The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is developing a method to estimate 'realised' demolitions (i.e. the dwelling approved for demolition is actually demolished) and investigating ways to account for other removals from stock that do not require approval.

The data are not inclusive of South Australian dwelling demolition approvals for the June 2021 quarter. On 19 March 2021, the state entered the final phase of its new planning system, impacting upon the ABS' receipt of demolition approvals. Legislation changed such that demolition approvals are no longer required in South Australia, unless the dwelling falls within a historic zone, heritage area, or place that is otherwise regarded to be of heritage. The ABS is currently investigating alternate sources on which to base demolition estimates for South Australia.

The data are classified to the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) at Statistical Area Level 2 and Local Government Area levels. Further information on the classification structures for which dwelling demolition approvals are available in the article is contained in:

Australian Statistical Geography Standard: Volume 1 - Main Structure and Greater Capital City Statistical Areas, July 2016 for Statistical Area Level 2 between September quarter 2016 and June quarter 2021
Australian Statistical Geography Standard: Volume 3 - Non ABS Structures July 2016 for Local Government Area level between September quarter 2016 and June quarter 2017
Australian Statistical Geography Standard: Volume 3 - Non ABS Structures July 2017 for Local Government Area level between September quarter 2017 and June quarter 2018
Australian Statistical Geography Standard: Volume 3 - Non ABS Structures July 2018 for Local Government Area level between September quarter 2018 and June quarter 2019
Australian Statistical Geography Standard: Volume 3 - Non ABS Structures July 2019 for Local Government Area level between September quarter 2019 and June quarter 2020
Australian Statistical Geography Standard: Volume 3 - Non ABS Structures June 2020 for Local Government Area level between September quarter 2020 and June quarter 2021

Scope and coverage

Approvals for dwelling demolitions have been sourced from:

permits issued by local government authorities and other certifying authorities;
contracts and work authorised by commonwealth, state and local government authorities; and
major building approvals in areas not subject to normal administrative approval, such as building on remote mine sites.

Approval authorities were formally requested to begin submitting demolition approvals to the ABS in July 2018. Where necessary, dwelling demolitions approved from 2016 onwards were also requested.

ABS building statistics (building approvals, building activity and the dwelling stock series currently under development) classify buildings according to the Functional Classification of Buildings. This defines a dwelling as a self-contained suite of rooms intended for long-term residential use, including cooking and bathing facilities. Regardless of whether they are self-contained or not, rooms within buildings offering institutional care (e.g. hospitals) or temporary accommodation (e.g. motels, hostels and holiday apartments) are not defined as dwellings. This differs from the definition used by the Census (a structure which is intended to have people live in it, and which is habitable on Census night), which can include non-permanent structures such as caravans, houseboats and tents, as well as communal or transitory accommodation such as cabins, hotels, prisons and hospitals.

A dwelling demolition is defined as the complete and intentional dismantling of a dwelling, such that none of the structure remains on site. The scope of the data does not include:

dwellings demolished without approval;
dwellings partially demolished;
dwellings destroyed by natural disasters; or
dwellings rendered inhabitable by extreme weather events, vandalism, fire damage, modification etc. (except where approval has been granted for the demolition of the remainder of a damaged dwelling).

Data are presented for the following types of dwellings:

'Houses' - defined as detached buildings used for long term residential purposes, consisting of only one dwelling unit and are not a result of alterations or additions to a pre-existing building
'Other residential' - defined as dwellings that are attached to other dwellings in some structural way

Data downloads

Statistical Area Level 2, September quarter 2016 to June quarter 2021

Data files

Download zip [214.4 KB]

Local Government Area, September quarter 2016 to June quarter 2021