Coffs Harbour
51 DAs lodged · last 90 daysMarket Intelligence
DAs Lodged
51↑
past 90 days · NSW Planning Portal
Professionals
—
covering this suburb
Median Project Value
$92,197
DAs lodged, past 90 days
Median Approval Time
29 days
approved DAs, last 12 months
As of 14 July 2026, Coffs Harbour recorded 51 — Development applications lodged in Coffs Harbour in the past 90 days (NSW Planning Portal)
As of 14 July 2026, Coffs Harbour recorded $92,197 — Median estimated cost of development for DAs lodged in Coffs Harbour in the past 90 days (NSW Planning Portal)
As of 14 July 2026, Coffs Harbour recorded 29 days — Median lodgement-to-determination time for approved DAs in Coffs Harbour, last 12 months (NSW Planning Portal)
Verified Professionals
Professionals in Coffs Harbour
No professionals listed in Coffs Harbour yet.
Browse all professionals →DA Pipeline
Recent Development Applications
Total dev. value
$2,581,568
Development types
Source
NSW Planning Portal
PAN-650485
Modification Application16 LONG STREET COFFS HARBOUR 2450
Secondary dwelling; Dual occupancy; Erection of a new structure
$49,000
1-storey · 1 new dwelling
PAN-650967
2 49 ARTHUR STREET COFFS HARBOUR 2450
Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
$18,500
1 new dwelling
PAN-651316
10 NUGGET CLOSE COFFS HARBOUR 2450
Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
$15,344
1 new dwelling
PAN-651222
53 WEST HIGH STREET COFFS HARBOUR 2450
Subdivision; Carport; Driveways and hard stand spaces
PAN-649038
18 FRASER DRIVE COFFS HARBOUR 2450
Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of A…
$50,000
PAN-648495
1 100 SHEPHARDS LANE COFFS HARBOUR 2450
Subdivision
$28,320
PAN-648541
35 VEDUTA DRIVE COFFS HARBOUR 2450
Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
$666,255
1-storey · 1 new dwelling
via Council staff under delegated authority
PAN-648142
5 MORRISON CLOSE COFFS HARBOUR 2450
Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure
$220,000
1-storey · 1 new dwelling
via Council staff under delegated authority
Be the first to know.
51 development applications are active in Coffs Harbour right now.
New builds, renovations, subdivisions and commercial developments — before anyone else.
Are you a builder or architect working in Coffs Harbour?
List your business on DBS →Local Intel
Guides for Coffs Harbour
Find professionals in Coffs Harbour
Browse all pros →Planning a build or renovation in Coffs Harbour means navigating a coastal climate, a terrain that shifts from flat beachside lots in Moonee Beach to steep hinterland slopes near Korora, and a council approval process that rewards preparation. This page gives you the verified local data you need before you speak to a single builder.
Development Activity in Coffs Harbour
Coffs Harbour City Council is the consent authority for residential and commercial development applications (DAs) across the 2450 postcode and surrounding suburbs including Woolgoolga, Moonee Beach, Toormina and Korora. The local pipeline spans new dwellings, secondary dwellings (granny flats), dual occupancies, additions and alterations, and knockdown-rebuild projects on the ageing bungalow stock that characterises much of the inner suburban ring.
Construction activity in the Mid North Coast region has remained elevated as tree-changers and sea-changers continue to relocate from Sydney and Brisbane. Residential development applications represent the dominant project type by volume, followed by secondary dwellings and commercial fit-outs along the Pacific Highway corridor.
Want to know when a DA is lodged next door? Sign up for free DA alerts covering Coffs Harbour and receive email notifications the moment new applications are filed with Coffs Harbour City Council.
Cost to Build in Coffs Harbour: What to Budget
Indicative figures only, labelled as indicative, sourced from ABS building activity data and regional industry benchmarks. Actual costs vary by site, design complexity, finishes and contractor.
Building on the Coffs Coast carries cost pressures that differ meaningfully from inland NSW projects. Key local drivers include:
- Salt-air and humidity exposure: Coastal suburbs such as Korora and Jetty require higher-grade steel treatments, marine-rated fixings, and specified timber or fibre-cement cladding to meet durability standards. These material upgrades add cost over standard inland specifications.
- Sloping block construction: Elevated lots in Korora, parts of Toormina and the hinterland fringe require engineered foundations, retaining structures and additional site preparation. A sloping block in Korora can add $20,000-$60,000 or more to site costs compared with a flat lot in Moonee Beach, indicative only.
- Trades availability: The Mid North Coast skilled trades market is tighter than metro areas. Builder and subcontractor availability affects both pricing and project timelines, particularly for specialist work such as structural engineering and custom joinery.
- Material freight: Some specialist materials must be freighted from Sydney or Brisbane, adding lead times and cost margins not present in major metro centres.
For a detailed breakdown of current material pricing relevant to the 2450 region, visit our material prices guide, or use the build cost calculator to model your specific project. Explore broader construction guides at our guides library.
DA Approvals: Coffs Harbour City Council
All development applications in the Coffs Harbour local government area are assessed by Coffs Harbour City Council. The council uses the Coffs Harbour Local Environmental Plan (LEP) and Development Control Plan (DCP) as the primary assessment frameworks. Some low-risk projects may qualify as Complying Development, assessed by a private certifier under the State Environmental Planning Policy (Housing) 2021, which typically offers faster determination.
Common factors that slow DA determination in this LGA include:
- Incomplete application documentation, missing site analysis, shadow diagrams or BASIX certificates are frequent causes of stop-clock delays.
- Referrals to external agencies, coastal zone developments near the foreshore or within flood-affected land categories trigger mandatory referrals that extend the assessment clock.
- Variation requests, proposals that seek to vary DCP controls (setbacks, height, lot coverage) require additional justification and can extend assessment timelines significantly.
- Heritage and vegetation constraints, some parcels within established suburbs carry heritage or biodiversity overlays requiring specialist reports.
Track new DAs in real time by signing up for free Coffs Harbour DA alerts. Useful for homeowners monitoring neighbourhood change, investors assessing supply, and trades firms identifying upcoming project opportunities.
Project Type Comparison: Indicative Costs & Approval Times in Coffs Harbour
| Project Type | Indicative Cost Range | Typical Approval Pathway | Indicative Determination Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| New single dwelling (standard flat block, Moonee Beach) | $2,000-$2,800/m² (indicative) | Complying Development or DA | 10-28 days (CDC) / 40-90 days (DA) |
| New single dwelling (sloping block, Korora) | $2,500-$3,500+/m² (indicative) | DA, Council assessment | 60-120 days (indicative) |
| Secondary dwelling / granny flat | $120,000-$250,000 (indicative) | Complying Development (where eligible) | 10-28 days (CDC) |
| Knockdown & rebuild | $350,000-$700,000+ (indicative) | DA or CDC depending on design | 40-100 days (indicative) |
| Renovation / extension | $80,000-$300,000+ (indicative) | CDC or DA | 10-28 days (CDC) / 40-75 days (DA) |
| Dual occupancy | $600,000-$1,100,000+ (indicative) | DA, Council assessment | 60-120 days (indicative) |
All cost and timeline figures are indicative only. Costs sourced from ABS regional building activity benchmarks and industry data; timelines reflect general NSW planning experience. Individual projects vary. Consult a licensed builder and town planner for project-specific advice.
Building in Coffs Harbour: Local Context That Affects Your Project
Coffs Harbour's resident population skews toward established families and retirees. ATO income data for the area records a median taxable income of $46,236 and an average taxable income of $58,866 across 27,474 individual taxpayers (ATO, 2450 postcode). This income profile shapes the local construction market: mid-range custom homes and value-driven renovations dominate demand, with a growing premium segment in coastal-view precincts of Korora and the Jetty.
The 2450 postcode is served by 12 schools spanning Government, Catholic and Independent sectors, including Bishop Druitt College, Coffs Harbour High School and St John Paul College. Families planning a build frequently prioritise proximity to these institutions, making suburbs like Toormina (near Orara High School) and the central Coffs corridor particularly active for residential development.
Neighbouring suburbs each present distinct build conditions: Woolgoolga and Moonee Beach offer more accessible flat lots suited to volume or project home designs; Korora and hinterland-adjacent blocks demand engineered solutions for slope and soil; Toormina provides an established suburban grid with strong knockdown-rebuild feasibility given its ageing dwelling stock.
Browse verified builders and architects active across these suburbs in our Coffs Harbour professional directory.
Stay ahead of every development in your street: sign up for free Coffs Harbour DA alerts and get email notifications when new applications are lodged with Coffs Harbour City Council. Ready to find a builder or architect? Search the Coffs Harbour professional directory to compare local firms covering Woolgoolga, Moonee Beach, Toormina, Korora and the wider 2450 region.