Property developer and fund manager Clarence Property has kicked off both its construction program, and the highly-anticipated sales campaign, for its flagship Swell Woolgoolga master-planned residential community, a $130 million project that will deliver over 210 new homesites to the supply-constrained Coffs Coast market.
The first release is now selling from $490,000, with 30 level homesites in the Retreat neighbourhood ranging from 499 sqm to 812 sqm marking the first significant release of residential land in Woolgoolga in the past five to ten years.
The offering is attracting strong interest from first-home buyers and young families eager to secure a foothold in a region where land supply remains scarce and house prices continue to rise.
Clarence Property CEO Simon Kennedy said Swell marks a significant milestone for the group following the sell-out success of its EPIQ Lennox Head community.
“Breaking ground at Swell reinforces Clarence’s commitment to delivering well-planned estates that not only address the state’s housing shortage but also set a new standard for coastal communities,” said Mr Kennedy.
“This project is about more than just delivering lots; it’s about creating a connected neighbourhood that reflects the character of Woolgoolga and the growth trajectory of the broader Coffs Coast.”
Coffs Coast is experiencing rapid growth as buyers are drawn to the affordable, laid-back lifestyle, driving house prices up by 55% in the past five years as demand outstrips supply, creating an estimated need for 900 detached dwellings by 2041, according to a new report by Urban Economics.
“The Coffs Harbour residential market has experienced escalating growth in recent years, driven by regional migration and the appeal of a more affordable, family-friendly coastal lifestyle,” said Joshua Binkley, Associate Director of Urban Economics.
“Residential building approvals have decreased significantly since COVID-19, declining to their lowest levels in more than a decade across the Coffs Harbour region and Woolgoolga, despite ongoing population growth.
“This suggests that demand and price growth will continue to outpace new supply for the foreseeable future. Vacant land sales in the Woolgoolga catchment have been at their lowest volume for over a decade since 2022, while the median price of vacant land has almost doubled since 2020, reflecting the disparity between low supply and strong demand.
“As of March 2025, the median house price in Woolgoolga and surrounds had reached $910,000, around $60,000 above the broader Coffs Harbour LGA, underscoring its position as one of the region’s most tightly held and premium pockets.
“The report also highlighted that rental markets are under pressure, with vacancy in the 2456 postcode sitting at just 1.9%, well below the threshold of a balanced market, while rents have surged by more than 30% since 2021.”
Senior Development Manager Jim Hillery said Swell has been designed with both lifestyle and market realities front of mind to cater to the growing demand in Woolgoolga.
“Woolgoolga has one of the tightest land markets on the Coffs Coast. There’s been very little supply for years, and when it does come on, it’s often snapped up straight away,” said Mr Hillery.
“Swell changes that dynamic. We’re delivering homesites that are generously sized, well-priced and close to the coast, which means they’ll appeal to local families who want to stay in the area, as well as people looking to relocate for lifestyle reasons.
“It’s about creating an amenity-rich community with residential options that haven’t been available here for a long time.”
Strategically positioned adjoining the Wiigulga Sports Complex, with the Retreat release to be accessed via Newmans Road, Swell is just 1.5km from the beach and minutes to Woolgoolga High School and the town centre, offering residents both lifestyle and convenience.
Clarence Property has appointed SEE Civil as civil contractor, De Groot & Benson for civil design, NDC’s Damian Chapelle as town planner, and Cardow & Partners as exclusive selling agents.
Cardow + Partners principal Nicole Cardow said there is currently strong demand from buyers, with many locals registering interest ahead of the recent launch to be first in line to secure their preferred homesite.
“We’ve been busy fielding enquiries and have already taken a number of deposits from local families who want to be part of Swell. Opportunities of this scale in the area don’t come around often, and the sales demand in just a couple of weeks in market reflects that,” said Ms Cardow.
“With over 60 per cent of the first release now under offer, we’re urging interested local buyers looking to buy land now to start building their dream new home next year to get in touch quickly to avoid disappointment.”
The launch of Swell also comes as Woolgoolga benefits from significant infrastructure investment, including the recently completed $23 million Wiigulga Sports Complex and the $2.2 billion Coffs Harbour Bypass, due for completion in 2027, which will further enhance connectivity across the region.
Founded in the Northern Rivers of NSW, Clarence Property currently manages a diversified portfolio across residential subdivisions, retail, commercial, and industrial assets, with more than $860 million in assets under management, and continues to expand its pipeline across Northern NSW and Southeast Queensland with a focus on community-centred development.
