The value of residential building approvals in North Queensland rose by almost 20 per cent during the past year, a banking report has found.

It says builders are enjoying boom conditions throughout regional Queensland as population growth feeds demand for housing.

The latest ANZ Regional and Rural Quarterly, released this week, provides detailed insights into the economic performance and major issues facing Australia's regional and rural communities, with a range of factors impacting on the state's regions.

ANZ Queensland regional executive Hamish Davidson said the value of residential building approvals rose by 19.6 per cent during the past year in North Queensland and 23.3 per cent in Central Queensland.

"We're also seeing more construction activity in the south where there is renewed interest in the professional office market," Mr Davidson said.

"The tourism, retail and mining industries are all performing well, although we have noticed a slight upward trend in unemployment, albeit from very low levels."

Mr Davidson said the drought was continuing to impact on many communities and high grain prices were squeezing profits in the feedlot cattle industry.

However, recent rains around the Darling Downs had boosted the prospect for summer crops.