Tasmanian councils are on track to approve significantly more dwellings in the current financial year than they did in 2016-17, based on new Australian Bureau of Statistics figures to the end of February.

Tasmania is on track for about 2700 approvals this financial year, well ahead of the 2237 approvals in 2016-17.

It is possible that will grow further as the response to a Hobart rental property shortage develops.

Key Northern council areas are getting strong gains in approvals, as is much of the North-West.

Meander Valley was already ahead of last financial year’s total of 85, with 87 approvals by the end of February.

Launceston (149 approvals to the end of February) was set to soar past its 193 approvals last financial year.

West Tamar had 96 approvals to the end of February, just two behind its full-year total for 2016-17.

Northern Midlands had 44 approvals to the end of February.

That put it on target for 66 for the full financial year.

It had 60 approvals in 2016-17.

Last financial year, the nine Cradle Coast councils approved 436 new dwellings between them.

They approved 320 in the eight months to the end of February, putting the region on track for about 480 approvals by the end of June.

In the North-West and West, five of the nine councils were on track to approve more dwellings this financial year than last.

Devonport was on track to have the most approvals.