Lower Hutt is bracing for a building boom, after building consents and applications for new buildings reached an all-time high last year.
Hutt City Council issued more than 1500 consents last year. Photo: 123RF
Hutt City Council issued more than 1500 consents last year - 18 percent more than 2017 - and received 529 resource consent applications, which is almost 45 percent more than 2017.
General manager of the city transformation team, Kim Kelly, said it is good news, in line with Hutt City Council's plans to build 6000 new dwellings between 2012 and 2032.
She said it could also bring about demogaphic change for the city.
"Traditionally Lower Hutt's had a three-bedroom on a stand-alone property.
"The [new] dwellings are a mix of those, but also medium-density, which is attractive to younger people who are quite happy to live in medium density and not use a car, and use public transport," she said.
"We've also got a fair number of retirement village developments at the moment, as well."
Ms Kelly said the majority of the new developments were in Wainuiomata and Petone.
With a rental shortage in Wellington she said it could be a good time for students and other Wellington residents to consider living in places like Petone.
The council's consents team manager, Helen Oram, said the number of consents being submitted was a strong indicator of economic growth.
"Building activity is good news for our economy.
"An upswing in consents indicates our population is growing, and that more jobs in the building and construction industry are being generated.
"This has a significant positive impact on people's income and spending."