The total gross value of construction work performed by main contractors fell 10.8% in nominal terms to $22.9 billion in the second quarter, compared with a year earlier. After discounting price changes, the total gross value of work performed fell 9.9% in real terms over the same period.

Analysed by type of construction work, the gross value of work performed at private sector sites totalled $6.9 billion, down 24.1% in nominal terms. In real terms, it fell 19.9%. The gross value of construction work performed at public sector sites fell 19.8% in nominal terms to $7.3 billion. In real terms, it fell 18.9%.

Output at public building sites and civil engineering sites both fell, which was largely attributable to the scale-back in the Public Housing Programme and completion of work on some public infrastructure projects.

The gross value of construction work performed by contractors at locations other than construction sites amounted to $8.8 billion, up 16.1% in nominal terms. In real terms, the increase was 13.4%.

Analysed by end-use category, residential projects accounted for the largest share in the gross value of construction work performed at construction sites. The gross value of work performed for these projects amounted to $5.1 billion, down 35.1% in nominal terms.

Transport works down 18.1%

Transport projects constituted the second largest category of construction site work. The gross value of work performed for these projects totalled $3.2 billion, a fall of 18.1% in nominal terms.

Industrial, storage and service building projects represented the third largest category of construction site work. The gross value of construction work performed for these projects was $2.4 billion, down 21.6% in nominal terms.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, the gross value of construction work performed by main contractors fell 1.4% in nominal terms or 0.9% in real terms.

More detailed statistics are given in the Report on the Quarterly Survey of Construction Output, 2nd Quarter 2004. The report can be purchased online at the Statistical Bookstore.

Hardcopies can be purchased by completing the order form downloadable from the Census & Statistics Department's website.