The latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show regional Victoria is up 22.8 per cent from its longer term average, while approvals in Melbourne have fallen by 22.5 per cent since its peak in August 2016.  

Other regional cities where building approvals are rising strongly are Ballarat (up 54.4 per cent), Geelong (up 29.2 per cent), and Shepparton (up 27.4 per cent). 

The North West Region of the state - which includes places like Mildura, Horsham, Ararat, Stawell and Swan Hill - is the only region that is not experiencing strong levels of activity

Housing Industry Association's Regional Executive Director for Victoria, Fiona Nield, said the strong growth in most regions are a great sign for the state. 

“The strength in Regional Victoria provides a solid offset for any declines we might see as building approvals slow in Melbourne," she said.

Read more: Building Bendigo: City set for construction blitz

“Continued population growth and infrastructure investment by the State Government will support strong levels of building activity for the state," she said.

But while the latest statistics are positive, Bendigo builder Leigh Moore from Cavalier Homes said his company has noticed the number of approvals has actually hit a roadblock in recent months.

“They’re actually down considerably from late last year,” he said. “This could possibly be caused by difficulty with people's finance applications.”

But Mr Moore said while there has been a recent slowing down, some parts of the city are continuing to grow strongly. 

“There has been a boom in the outer suburbs of Bendigo,” he said. “We're seeing a lot of approvals in places like Strathfieldsaye, Marong and the northern end of Bendigo.”

Mr Moore said there are also interesting trends in the types of places being approved in the city. 

“Units are down from last year,” he said. “But family homes are continuing to get building approvals which is not that surprising.”