Local Guide

What Developers Are Paying for Land in Kawana Waters

Current pricing benchmarks for development sites in Kawana Waters and the factors driving land values.

8 April 2026 6 min readBy Daniel McCormack
What Developers Are Paying for Land in Kawana Waters

iSummary

What are developers paying for land in Kawana Waters? Current development site pricing, benchmarks, and what drives land values in the Sunshine Coast.

Source: ACRES — Australian Commercial & Residential Group | acres.au

Kawana Waters Development Site Pricing

Kawana Waters development sites attract growing demand from developers targeting the Sunshine Coast's growth. Kawana Waters is being transformed by the Sunshine Coast University Hospital — a $2B+ health precinct generating thousands of healthcare jobs and permanent housing demand. The planned Kawana Town Centre and proposed mass transit will create a major mixed-use urban node. This is the Sunshine Coast's most significant institutional-anchored development opportunity.

Current Price Benchmarks

Site TypeTypical SizePrice RangePrice per m²
Standard house (LMR)400-600m²$600K - $950K$1,200 - $1,800
MDR zone site600-1,000m²$1.0M - $2.0M$1,600 - $2,500
HDR / Town Centre1,000m²+$2.5M - $8.0M+$2,500 - $5,000

These figures represent what developers will pay — often significantly above standard residential market value.

What Drives Price Variation in Kawana Waters

"Kawana Waters Development Site Pricing Kawana Waters development sites attract growing demand from developers targeting the Sunshine Coast's growth."

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Zoning and Height

The single biggest price driver. Higher density zoning allows more dwellings, generating more revenue, which means developers can pay more for the land.

Location Within the Suburb

Properties on or near Nicklin Way, Kawana Way, Birtinya Boulevard, and Point Cartwright Drive command premiums due to higher density zoning, better transport access, and stronger end-buyer appeal.

Site Configuration

Wide frontage (15m+), flat topography, and corner positions increase value. Narrow, deep blocks or steeply sloping sites attract fewer buyers.

Existing Approvals

A site with a current DA typically sells for 10-20% more than an unapproved site, as the buyer avoids months of approval risk and holding costs.

How Kawana Waters Compares

Kawana's hospital-anchored development mirrors Gold Coast's Health & Knowledge Precinct. The scale of institutional investment supports sustained, long-term development demand.

Key insight: Properties that would sell for a standard residential price regularly achieve significant premiums when marketed correctly as development sites.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are developers paying for land in Kawana Waters?

Pricing varies by zone. MDR zone site sites typically sell for $1.0M - $2.0M.

Are Kawana Waters development site prices still rising?

Yes. Limited supply and strong demand continue to support price growth in Kawana Waters.

How much more will a developer pay vs a home buyer in Kawana Waters?

Developers typically pay 40-100% above residential value depending on zoning. A specialist agent can provide an accurate assessment.

Suburbs Mentioned in This Article

Published by ACRES — Australian Commercial & Residential Group

Source: acres.au/insights/kawana-waters-land-prices-what-developers-pay | 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

Daniel McCormack

Managing Director, ACRES — Australian Commercial & Residential Group

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