The municipality recorded its second highest value in building activity for the past decade last financial year, underpinned by stimulus spending and the first home buyers grant.

Only the 2005-06 financial year resulted in a greater value of building work than the past 12 months, triggering a peak demand for local tradespeople.

The region was eighth in the state’s regional building spending in 2009-10 with more than $171 million of construction work.

Spending on the retail sector rose by more than 200 per cent from 2008-09 to last financial year, while public building and industrial works doubled and domestic developments (housing) were up by 80 per cent.

The total value of building work rose by 52 per cent from $112 million in 2008-09 to $171 last year – just short of the record 12-month spending since the beginning of the decade of $180 million in 2005-06.

Residential and commercial spending dropped by 66 per cent and 55 per cent respectively, however, all other sectors rose by at least 80 per cent.

The overall result showed a 52 per cent increase in spending compared to the 2008-09 financial year, with a 26 per cent rise in building permit approvals for the 12 months.

Total building works for the past decade in the Mildura municipality have risen 79 per cent from almost $96 million.

For more of this story, purchase your copy of Saturday’s Sunraysia Daily 31/07/2010.