2010.08.3023:24:00UTC+00Australia Dwelling Approvals Rise 2.3% In July

The number of housing permits granted in Australia rose for the first time in four months, official data showed on Tuesday.

Total dwelling permits rose by a seasonally adjusted 2.3% compared with the previous month in July to 13,732, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said. Analysts had forecast a 0.7% fall after the 3.4% decrease in June.

The number of private houses approved edged down 0.1% to 8,624. At the same time, the number of private sector other dwelling units approved were up 7.7% to 4,216.

On a year-over-year basis, dwelling approvals were up 11%. Approvals for private sector houses were down 0.8%, while those for private sector other dwellings increased 38%.

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