/ 25 November 2004

Value of plans passed by municipalities increases

The real value of recorded building plans passed by municipalities (at constant 2000 prices) during the first nine months of 2004 increased by 29,5% or R5,167-billion from R17,507-billion to R22,674-billion compared with the first nine months of 2003, according to figures released on Thursday by Statistics South Africa.

The largest increase in the value of recorded building plans passed was reported for residential buildings (R3,601-billion), followed by additions and alterations (R1,159-billion) and non-residential buildings (R408,1-million).

Recorded building plans passed for dwelling-houses increased by 31,1% (R2,208-billion) and for flats and townhouses by 48% (R1.300 billion).

The municipalities in all nine provinces reported increases in the real value of recorded building plans passed. Preliminary figures indicate that the largest municipal contributors to the increase within provinces of 29,5%

(R5,167-billion) in the real value of recorded building plans passed were Western Cape (R2,434-billion) and Gauteng (R1,464 billion). – I-Net Bridge