BUILDING activity remains strong in WA, particularly in the non-residential sector, indicates the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
During the June quarter total building work undertaken rose by 2.9 per cent to $817.9 million.
The value of work undertaken on new residential buildings fell by 0.8 per cent to $489 million. The fall was a result of a 3.3 per cent fall in the value of work done on houses being only partially offset by a 12.5 per cent increase in other residential buildings.
Despite the decrease in the value of new private homes the total number of houses commmenced increased by 7.7 per cent to 3,900.
Alterations and additions were steady at $54.2 million, but up 18.3 per cent compared with a year earlier.
Work undertaken on non-residential buildings rose by 14 per cent to $280 million with the construction of shops the most influential sector.
The value of shops under construction at the end of the June quarter was $293 million.
Expenditure on entertainment and recreation premises was valued at $59 million and hotel construction was valued at $56.9 million.
