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The number of approvals for residential real estate in Queensland increased in December, jumping by 7.9 per cent.
Australian Bureau of Statistics data found that there were 179 more approvals in the final month of the year (seasonally adjusted), improving from 2,256 in November.
Paul Bidwell, the Master Builders director of housing policy, said that these are welcome figures as it showed the Sunshine State defied the national trend of decline - a 4.4 per cent drop over the same time period.
"Another positive from these figures is that over the 12-month period to December 2012 there was an improvement on the previous 12 months, with total dwelling unit approvals 3.8 per cent higher, rising from 26,526 in 2011 to 27,527 in 2012."
Mr Bidwell added that the figures show regional Queensland performed better than the more populated areas in the south-east.
The housing policy director said that despite strong performances in only some areas of the state, he is confident that 2013 will see a resurgence of housing activity.
A Master Builders report, entitled "Survey of Industry Conditions", found investors and homebuyers are appearing to re-enter the market - a phenomenon that Mr Bidwell has welcomed.
