The graph below shows the number of building approvals for new medium density dwellings in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne from 2001/2002 until May 2006/07 as reported by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. 

Sydney
Between 2001/2002 to May 2006/07 there have been approximately 87,000 medium density approvals in Sydney.   Compared to Brisbane and Melbourne, Sydney has recorded the highest number of approvals. 
The number of approvals peaked in 2002/03 and has continued to decline.  Based on the current trend the number of approvals for 2006/07 is anticipated to slightly higher than the total recorded in 2005/06. 

Brisbane
Between 2001/2002 to May 2006/07 there have been approximately 33,000 medium density approvals in Brisbane – the lowest of the capital cities.  Brisbane’s trend is 2.6 times smaller than Sydney’s and 1.6 times less than Brisbane’s.
The number of approvals peaked in 2003/04 and has continued to decline.  Based on the current trend the number of approvals for 2006/07 is anticipated to be at a historical low since 2001/02. 

Melbourne
Between 2001/2002 to May 2006/07 there have been approximately 54,000 medium density approvals in Melbourne. 

The number of approvals peaked in 2002/03 and has continued to decline.  Based on the current trend the number of approvals for 2006/07 is anticipated to be greater than 2005/06. 

House Approvals
The graph below shows the number of building approvals for new houses in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne from 2001/2002 until May 2006/07 as reported by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. 

Sydney
Between 2001/2002 to May 2006/07, approximately 52,000 houses have been approved.  Sydney has recorded the lowest number of house approvals compared with Brisbane and Melbourne
The number of approvals peaked in 2001/02 and has continued to decline.  Based on the current trend the number of approvals for 2006/07 is anticipated to be on par with 2005/06. 

Brisbane
Between 2001/2002 to May 2006/07 approximately 67,000 houses have been approved.  The number of approvals in Brisbane is approximately 1.3 times greater than Sydney trends and less than half the number of Melbourne’s.
The number of approvals peaked in 2002/03 and has continued to decline.  Based on the current trend the number of building approvals for 2006/07 will be slightly higher than the number recorded in the 2004/05 and 2005/06 years.
Melbourne

Between 2001/2002 to May 2006/07 approximately 126,000 houses have been approved.  The number of approvals in Melbourne is approximately 2.5 times greater than the Sydney trends and 2 times larger than the Brisbane trend.

The number of approvals peaked in 2001/02 and has continued to decline. Based on the current trend the number of building approvals for 2006/07 will be slightly higher than the figures recorded in 2005/06.