In the six-month period to the end of June, the council had received 151 building applications, compared with 129 for the same time in the previous year - a rise of about 15 per cent.

Between January and June 2014, approved building applications were worth just over $15.8 million.

In the same period in 2015, 135 building applications were approved for works totalling more than $18.7 million, representing a 16 per cent increase in value.

Meander Valley mayor Craig Perkins said the statistics were positive news for the region.

"It shows that there has been a consistent growth in building applications and approvals over the last 18 months, and this continues to build on it," he said.

"What it says to me is this rise in confidence in building and development and that has continued on throughout the municipality, which is good to see."

Cr Perkins said he was unsure of the locations of the approvals, but believed them to be spread across the municipality.

He said the approvals represented both commercial and residential applications.

"That's good. That shows confidence in a commercial sense that people are investing, and from a residential area the liveability means [the Meander Valley] is an attractive area," he said.

"Building and development has come off a low base statewide three or four years ago, so I think there's a bit of perspective around that, but the fact that this has been happening for the last 18 months shows a positive sign."

Cr Perkins said the figures were uplifting because they showed the approvals process was not deterring people, despite some applicants occasionally finding the system challenging.

"To have that level of increase despite the complexity around building and planning regulations is a positive thing," he said.