Why Tugun Is Now on the Small-Scale Developer Map
Why Tugun Is Now on the Small-Scale Developer Map
You already know the Southern Gold Coast is growing — but Tugun is emerging as a sleeper suburb for boutique development. With limited high-density zoning and a consistent pool of owner-occupiers, duplex and dual-occupancy builds are outperforming speculative units in 2025.
And with property prices in Palm Beach and Burleigh pricing out many buyers, demand for well-located, smaller-scale housing continues to grow — especially in Tugun’s beachside fringe and western residential zones.
Where Development Makes Sense in Tugun
Key Traits of Ideal Duplex Sites:
600m²+
Corner block with two street frontages
Zoned Low Density Residential with no community title overlays
Gentle or flat topography
Minimum 15m frontage
Top Streets for Site Selection
Street / Area | Why It’s Attractive |
|---|---|
Teemangum Street | Flat blocks, walk to beach |
Kallara Street | Corner lots, wide frontages |
Boyd Street | Quiet + good exit access |
Mirreen Drive | Subtle elevation, solid builds |
Station Street | Mix of existing duplex stock |
Zoning: What’s Possible in Tugun?
Zone | What It Allows |
|---|---|
Low Density Residential | Dual occupancy, duplex (STCA) |
Medium Density (rare) | Townhouses or 3 dwellings (STCA) |
Neighbourhood Centre | Shop-top housing or office + dwelling |
Environmental / Drainage | Avoid – restrictions apply |
Norton’s has access to planning maps and lot-specific overlays. Always request zoning confirmation before signing contracts.
Build Model: Tugun Duplex Feasibility (2025)
Example: 670m² corner lot – Kallara Street
Purchase Price: $1.3M
Build Cost (mid-spec duplex pair): $820K
Total: $2.12M
Sale Value: $2.7M–$2.95M (2x ~$1.35M–$1.45M)
Estimated Gross Profit: $580K–$780K (before tax and costs)
Buyer Demographics Driving the Duplex Demand
Buyer Type | What They Want |
|---|---|
Retirees | Single-level duplex with low maintenance |
Young professionals | Beach access + low body corp/no strata |
Investors | Dual-key income or live/rent combo |
Downsizers from estates | Smaller footprint, walkability |
The lack of high-rise approvals in Tugun makes duplex living a long-term play for resale and rental — not just a development exit.
📋 Developer Checklist – Before You Buy
✅ Confirm zoning
✅ Get sewer/water connection data
✅ Check for environmental or flood overlays
✅ Conduct soil testing for piering costs
✅ Engage a town planner early
✅ Contact Norton’s for local sales comparables
Our team can also coordinate builder introductions and project sales pipelines, including pre-market interest from our active buyer list.
Examples of Completed Projects in Tugun
Address (example) | Outcome |
|---|---|
Teemangum St, duplex pair | Sold both sides off-market for $1.42M ea |
Boyd St, single-storey duo | Sold to retirees in 11 days total |
Kallara St, rear extension | Leased both sides at $750/week ea |
What Buyers Expect in 2025
No strata
Full fencing + separate driveways
Outdoor space or deck
Quality kitchens + aircon in master
Street appeal (coastal facades = higher offers)
Work With Norton’s Development Team
Whether you're sourcing your first duplex site or managing a 6-lot rollout, we help:
Identify profitable lots
Model price and buyer types
Advise on site access, fall, and resale pathways
Sell to pre-qualified duplex buyers
⚠️ Legal Disclaimer
This article is general in nature and does not constitute legal, planning or financial advice. Norton’s Real Estate disclaims liability for any development decisions made from this content. Always consult a qualified town planner, solicitor, and builder before purchasing a development site.