The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released its latest figures showing a 7.3 per cent drop in the value of building work approved across the country during July.

The figures are the weakest monthly result since late 2016.

Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn says building activity is being hit by low expectations around the economy's short-growth prospects.

"We want to see government policies such incentives for businesses to invest as well fast-tracking infrastructure construction to help kick start activity," Ms Wawn said.

MBA's chief economist said the number of approvals for new homes fell to its lowest since January 2013.

"This was driven by a reduction of some 19.6% in new apartment/unit approvals compared with June," he said.

"Approval volumes in the high-density part of the residential building market have not been this depressed since the middle of 2012.

"In July, the value of commercial building work receiving approval declined by 9.9% compared with the previous month," Mr Garrett said.

But the Port Macquarie-Hastings is bucking that trend.

According to data tabled at Port Macquarie-Hastings Council's August meeting, it is difficult to see any significant slow-down at the local level.

The figures indicate that the number of DAs received for the quarter is slightly down on the year to date monthly average of 91 DAs, 2018-2019 saw a total of 1096 DAs received, up on the 1069 received in the 2017-2018 period.

Other application types have been relatively consistent over the last three to four years, the report says. The estimated value of these works has also increased.

The 2018-2019 value of $438 million has surpassed the $426 million in 2017-2018. In 2016-17 the total figure was $300,193,235.

April 2018/19 led the way with a total of $104,310,308 with May's figures $30,679,934 and June's $30,003,675.

According to the council figures, in residential DAs, April reached $22,348,156, while May was $23,733,514 while June was slightly down at $9,759,822.

The year to date total for residential DAs in 2018/19 is $227,592,925 while the total for 2017/18 was $266,406,644 with just $190,943,031 in 2016/17.

This result reinforces the confidence in the development sector and does not point toward any significant slow-down, the council report noted.

Joyce Constructions' Mitch Joyce says his business has never been busier.

"I know some of the project homes may be slowing down slightly but for us the commercial side of our work is going really well," he said.

"Port Macquarie is a tourist destination, it's a regional centre and well placed between Sydney and Brisbane.

"We don't get as affected as the metropolitan areas. We are still a sea change destination," he said.

Mr Joyce said the business had just employed its fifth apprentice and would be looking for more staff as the summer months approach.

He said commercial work was outweighing their residential projects.

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