For August 2016 there were 63 development applications, including complying development certificates, approved worth $15.7 million. During the same month the previous year 76 applications were given the green light, with a total worth of $24.2 million.

So far in the financial year 140 applications have been approved by the Dubbo branch, 20 less than the 160 in the first two months of 2015/16.

There has also been a drop in the value of the applications passed. In July and August 2015 the applications approved by council totaled $55 million. This year the two months have produced $31 million in applications.

Last month council’s director environmental services Melissa Watkins said overall development was starting to slow down after a record year in 2015/16 but the applications were continuing to be processed.

When just comparing the number of single dwellings approved for the first two months of the financial year, it’s the lowest figure since 2012/13.

There were 37 single dwellings approved in July and August this year, while for the same time period last year 47 had been approved.

The number was higher still in 2014/15 when the green light was given to 53 single dwellings.

In 2012/13 there were only ten approved during July and August.

During August the largest number of applications approved,17, were for garages and carports, followed by 16 single dwellings, seven swimming pools and five for warehouses or storage.

There was also a $4.25 million application approved for a tourism development, as well as a $3 million factory or production building.

In Wellington the number of applications approved by council has shown a slight increase when comparing the two years.

In August 2015 four applications were given the tick, while it increased to six in Wellington this year. The value of the applications remained relatively stagnant at about $610,000.

Two of the applications determined during the month were for dwellings, as well as applications for a business premises, shed and carport, swimming pool and a subdivision.

The number of development applications approved in 2014/15 was the highest in seven years.