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The volume of new home sales increased by 6.9% in the month of May 2025, to reach the highest level in 13 months, according to the HIOA. Source: Timberbiz The HIA New Home Sales report is a monthly survey of the largest volume home builders in the five largest states and is a leading indicator of future detached home construction. “This rise in sales follows the second cut to the cash rate in over four years,” HIA Senior Economist Maurice Tapang said. “The monthly increase in new home sales is consistent with demand factors remaining robust, as Australia records low levels of unemployment, strong population growth and rising prices for established homes. “Across the states, the results have been mixed. This month, New South Wales and Victoria were the only states surveyed to report increased sales volumes, albeit from very depressed levels,” he said. “Sales volumes in New South Wales and Victoria have been exceptionally weak over the past two years. This increase is the first suggestion of an improvement in market conditions in these states.” New South Wales reached a 20-month high since the pull-forward in new home sales in September 2023, while Victoria reached a 13-month high since its pull-forward in April 2024. Mr Tapang said new home sales in Queensland remained relatively stable in May, following a strong increase in sales recorded in the previous month. This upward trend in the volume of sales in Queensland has been evident for at least the past year. The volume of sales in South Australia and Western Australia also fell in the month but remain robust. The continuation of a $10,000 incentive for construction workers to relocate to Western Australia will assist to resolve its key constraint, labour capacity. “Even with further cuts to the cash rate, and a recovery in market confidence, there remains a shortage of housing in Australia due to the regulatory barriers to increasing supply,” Mr Tapang said. New home sales in the three months to May 2025 rose by 19.6% in Western Australia compared to the previous quarterly period. This was followed by Victoria (+16.9%), Queensland (+7.2%) and New South Wales (+3.6%). Over that same period, South Australia recorded a 5.8% decline in sales.

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There was a timber trail to Mount Gambier last week as 250 guests gathered to mark a significant milestone. Source: The SE Voice The South Australian Forest Products Association hosted (SAFPA) a dinner to celebrate 2025 marking the 150th anniversary of the South Australian forest and timber industries. SAFPA chief executive Nathan Paine said as the birthplace of Australia’s commercial plantation estates, South Australia’s forest and timber industry leaders, along with the Premier, Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Minister for Forest Industries, State politicians, local members of parliament, mayors and members of the community, gathered to celebrate the shared history and to highlight the contributions the industry has made to the national and cultural identity. “This celebration is more than a dinner, it is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to stand behind an industry that has shaped regional communities, driven economic growth and delivered environmental benefits for 150 years,” he said. “From the first hectare of trees planted in 1875 in the Bundaleer Forests in the Mid-North, the industry has grown to 176,000 hectares, directly and indirectly employing over 21,300 jobs, processing fibre that builds our homes, the pallets that move consumer products from manufacturer to shop, the pulp and appear products that are used in our everyday lives from toilet paper to cardboard boxes, to the potting mix that grow our fruit and vegetables. “South Australia’s forestry plantations are the foundation of our state’s future. Our state has long been at the forefront of innovation and sustainable forest management, and the 150th celebratory dinner marks a proud reflection of the industry’s enduring success and it’s growing importance to the State’s economic value chain, regional development and environmental sustainability.” Mr Paine said, along with the environmental and sustainable benefits of the industry, the 150th anniversary dinner highlighted the importance of those who have dedicated their career to the industry. “Their commitment, passion, drive and innovative practices have shaped South Australia as a leader in forest management, timber production and research,” he said. “A special thank you to our major partner, OneFortyOne, and the Department of Primary Industries and Regions for their generous support of this event. South Australia has an incredible community of forest and timber managers, employees and supporters, and it’s a milestone opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge the legacy and future opportunities of South Australia’s forest industries.”

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