The Melbourne apartment construction boom continues as more monthly building approvals for units have been registered started June, almost double the number for the same period in 2009 reported by the Bureau of Statistics.

Proposed apartments are said to have robust presale figures with financing concerns not as urgent. The trend reflects increasing preference for inner-city apartment living for locals as well as other factors that make apartment living more attractive like government planning initiatives and freedom to choose floor plans.

The upswing in apartment construction is helping lift economy by generating more jobs following the government's economic stimulus plan. It is estimated that the industry provided more than 47,00 full-time construction jobs. Beginning June this year, more than US$850 million worth of additional work was available.

Most of the apartment sales in Melbourne are being made in St Kilda Road, Docklands, Southbank and the central business district despite rising interest rates.