iSummary
City of Gold Coast development site market report. Pricing trends, developer activity, and opportunities across Gold Coast suburbs.
Source: ACRES — Australian Commercial & Residential Group | acres.au
City of Gold Coast: Development Site Market Report
Report Period: Q1 2026 (January – March) Region: Gold Coast Suburbs Covered: Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, Burleigh Heads, Robina, Coomera, Helensvale, Southport, Nerang Total Suburbs Monitored: 12
Market Summary
The Gold Coast development site market continues to demonstrate strong fundamentals heading into 2026. Developer acquisition activity across City of Gold Coast suburbs has intensified, driven by sustained population growth, housing undersupply, and major infrastructure investment.
Median house prices across the Gold Coast region range from $950K–$2.2M, with year-on-year growth of 6–12% across monitored suburbs. Development site premiums remain elevated, with qualified sites achieving 30–100% above standard residential values.
Key Market Indicators
Developer Activity
- Active development applications across City of Gold Coast remain at elevated levels
- Medium-density townhouse and apartment projects dominate new applications
- Site acquisition enquiries are running above 12-month averages
- Competition for code-assessable sites is particularly intense
Pricing Trends
Development site pricing across Gold Coast reflects several trends:
| Metric | Current | Previous Quarter | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. site premium over residential | 45–75% | 40–70% | Rising |
| Time on market (dev sites) | 30–60 days | 45–75 days | Shortening |
| Enquiries per listing | 8–15 | 6–12 | Increasing |
| Site consolidation activity | Moderate–High | Moderate | Increasing |
Supply vs. Demand
- Available development sites in Gold Coast are declining as acquisitions outpace new listings
- Developers are increasingly pursuing off-market acquisitions
- Site consolidation (buying multiple adjoining lots) is becoming more common as standalone sites become scarce
Major Infrastructure Driving Growth
Light Rail Stage 4, M1 upgrade, Coomera Town Centre, Southport CBD Priority Development Area
"Development site premiums remain elevated, with qualified sites achieving 30–100% above standard residential values."
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These infrastructure investments are:
- Triggering rezoning and planning scheme amendments
- Creating new transit-oriented development precincts
- Increasing end-buyer demand in surrounding suburbs
- Accelerating developer acquisition timelines
Suburb Spotlight
Strongest Growth Areas
- Surfers Paradise — Strong developer interest, limited remaining sites
- Broadbeach — Strong developer interest, limited remaining sites
- Burleigh Heads — Strong developer interest, limited remaining sites
Emerging Opportunity Areas
- Robina — Growing interest as established suburbs become constrained
- Coomera — Growing interest as established suburbs become constrained
- Helensvale — Growing interest as established suburbs become constrained
What This Means for Property Owners
If you own property in a City of Gold Coast suburb, the current market conditions represent a strong opportunity:
- Developer demand exceeds supply — more buyers than available sites
- Premiums are rising — development sites achieving above-average premiums
- Infrastructure investment is peaking — projects announced but not yet complete create maximum value
- Competition is fierce — well-marketed sites attract multiple qualified offers
The combination of population growth, housing undersupply, and infrastructure investment makes the current period one of the strongest seller's markets for development sites in Gold Coast's history.
Free Market Assessment
ACRES provides complimentary development site assessments for property owners across all City of Gold Coast suburbs. Our assessment includes current market positioning, zoning analysis, and a realistic value estimate.
Request your free assessment for any Gold Coast suburb.
This report is updated quarterly. Next update: July 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often is the Gold Coast market report updated?
Quarterly — January, April, July, and October with the most recent market data.
Can I get a suburb-specific market report?
Yes. Contact ACRES for a detailed assessment of development site activity in your specific suburb.
Suburbs Mentioned in This Article
Published by ACRES — Australian Commercial & Residential Group
Source: acres.au/insights/gold-coast-development-site-market-report-2026 | ACRES (Australian Commercial & Residential Group) provides property advisory, development site sales, and residential real estate services across Brisbane and South East Queensland, Australia.
Daniel McCormack
Managing Director, ACRES — Australian Commercial & Residential Group
