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EVIDENCE is pointing to renewed confidence in the region's construction industry, with stakeholders proclaiming the most promising boost in activity for many years.
From builders to developers, and investors to bread winners, locals are reaping the benefits from the steady recovery of the ailing sector.
On a national level, economists say the "wealth effect" stemming from low borrowing costs and rising house prices, has lifted consumer confidence.
As a result, Australians seem to be less shy when it comes to spending their money.
Long-awaited development projects are finally taking shape on the outskirts of Port Macquarie, as eager buyers begin to move on the urban market.
Shovels are striking the soil, For Sale signs are going down fast, and figures show a solid increase in the number of Development Applications (DA) streaming through council doors.
Residential development has continued to drive momentum, with council's quarterly report showing a boost on the number of new homes set to be built in the area.
And, stakeholders are optimistic things are set to get even better.
For Bonny Hills builder Steve McCarthy, the long-awaited "return to normality" has come as a relief.
"Many of us have spent the last four years working for the sake of working, to keep people employed and to do our job. Not to make any money," Mr McCarthy said. "It's been a rough period, but finally the confidence is back."
Developers, like Mark Robinson of Ascot Park, have also taken notice of the increase in activity. Mr Robinson was spurred to release a selection of home lots in November, months ahead of the official public launch date for his estate near Lake Innes.
But the move, he said, made sense considering the economic climate.
"All the builders were telling us there was plenty of demand in the area," Mr Robinson said. "We felt with the current environment of low interest rates and the Sydney market being a lot stronger than it has been, that the timing to release lots early, was simply opportune."
He is among a number of residential developers who believe the time is right. That finally, after a stale period of inactivity, the heart of the Hastings building and construction industry is beating again.
Across Australia, economists are sighting record low interest rates, the lower Australian dollar and certainty following the end of the election as three main factors driving the residential building bounce.
Sovereign Hills Estate sales manager Tony Berry has cited the same reasons for increased activity locally.
Mr Berry told the Port News: "But it makes sense, with all the incentives there's simply never been a better time to build a new house".
A number of developers deny Port Macquarie is experiencing a development boom, but rather, believe the region is finally recovering to a point reflective of the pre-GFC market.
