property
New Development Projects Signal Changes for Gold Coast Property Market
Council approvals for mixed-use towers and apartment blocks in Surfers Paradise and Southport are expected to add hundreds of dwellings while altering streetscapes in established beachside neighbourhoods.
How we reported this
The Gold Coast City Council granted development approval in June 2026 for a 28-storey mixed-use building on Cavill Avenue in Surfers Paradise and a 19-storey apartment block on Scarborough Street in Southport.
These projects arrive as the local market absorbs steady downsizer interest and tourism recovery, with the Queensland median dwelling price sitting near $850,000 according to realestate.com.au data released in the first quarter of 2026.
Projects target established beachside pockets
The Surfers Paradise tower will occupy a site previously used for low-rise retail near the Gold Coast Highway, while the Southport proposal sits two blocks from the Broadwater and the existing Southport CBD revitalisation zone managed by the council’s economic development team. Both locations sit within walking distance of existing ferry terminals and the G:link light rail stops, which the council has flagged for capacity upgrades by 2028.
Further south, a separate 12-storey residential development received approval on Goodwin Terrace in Burleigh Heads, replacing a former backpacker hostel site. The project will include 87 apartments and ground-level retail, directly adjacent to the Burleigh Heads National Park entrance.
Supply addition measured against current prices
Combined, the three approvals add 312 new dwellings to the pipeline. The median price for units in Surfers Paradise stood at $685,000 in the most recent CoreLogic quarterly report covering the March 2026 period, while Burleigh Heads units traded at a median of $792,000.
Buyers considering entry into these precincts should review the council’s online development application portal for final conditions on height, setbacks and parking before contracts are exchanged. Sales agents handling off-the-plan releases at the approved sites expect marketing campaigns to begin in August 2026.
This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.