The NSW Valuer General’s latest figures on land valuations claims the biggest increases in coastal NSW were seen in Byron Bay, at 13.8%.
In a statement, the NSW Valuer General said, ‘Land values across Coastal NSW have reached a record $582 billion, marking a 2% increase from $570 billion in 2024’.
‘Property sales are the most important factor valuers consider when determining land values. The new land values were assessed based on an analysis of almost 23,000 property sales’.
Sally Dale, Valuer General of NSW said, ‘The coastal market has shown a slight overall increase over the last year across the residential, commercial and industrial sectors while a slight reduction was experienced in rural land values.’
Residential land values
‘Coastal areas of NSW experienced an overall increase of 2.3% in residential land values. The biggest increases were seen in Byron (+13.8%), Wingecarribee (+7.3%), Newcastle (+6.9%) Tweed (+6.6%) Lismore (+5.3%). Kiama (-3.0%), Eurobodalla (-2.9%), Shoalhaven (-2.8%) and Wollongong (-1.4%) all experienced slight decreases in residential land values.
‘The popularity of the prestige coastal area of Byron Bay has seen it lead the increases with an overall 13.8% growth in residential land values. Continued interest rate reductions and the continued need for more supply have also led to increases in the more affordable coastal towns with Wingecarribee, Newcastle and Tweed, all having 7% increases with strong demand from first home buyers,’ Ms Dale said.
Commercial land values
Commercial land values increased slightly by 1.9% overall said the statement from the NSW Valuer General.
‘The largest increases in commercial land values were seen in Wingecarribee (+16%), Ballina (+5.3%), Nambucca (+4.1%), Newcastle (+3.7%), Mid-Coast (+3.6%). Lismore (-5.1%) and Coffs Harbour (-4.2%) experienced negative growth in commercial land values’.
‘The coastal commercial market has slight increases overall which have generally followed increases in similar residential areas as confidence returns to these locations. Commercial properties with mixed use potential have seen some of the largest increases across the region,’ Ms Dale said.
Industrial land values
Industrial land values in the coastal areas of NSW grew by 4.7% on average, said the statement from the NSW Valuer General.
‘The largest increases in industrial land values were seen in Tweed (+19.4%), Shellharbour (+14.9%), Wollongong (+12%), Kyogle (+9.4%), Ballina (+8.7%). Byron (-9.1%), Bega Valley (-3.6%) and Shoalhaven (-2.9%) all experienced slight decreases in industrial land values’.
‘Industrial land values showed the largest overall growth in coastal NSW with Tweed, Shellharbour and Wollongong having the largest increase, driven by low interest rates and constrained supply as well as continued growth of e-commerce driving demand for warehouses,’ Ms Dale said.
Rural land values
Rural land values in the coastal regions of NSW decreased by 0.7% overall said the statement from the NSW Valuer General.
‘Wingecarribee saw the largest percentage land value increase with 6.5%, followed by Lismore (+4.3%), Bega Valley (+4.2%), Tweed (+3.8%) and Clarence Valley (+2.0%). These increases are attributed to constrained supply and improved market confidence due to interest rate cuts, alongside continued demand for quality rural lifestyle and prime rural holdings. Shoalhaven (-8.8%), Kiama (-7.1%), Eurobodalla (-5.9%), Shellharbour (-5.0%) and Port Macquarie-Hastings (-2.4%) experienced the greatest decreases in rural land values’.
‘Softening in the rural lifestyle holiday home market and continued residual correction of demand in secondary (historically less popular) locations have been key drivers of rural land values across the region,’ Ms Dale said.
The NSW Valuer General says the new land values will be used by Revenue NSW to calculate land tax for landowners who are liable. Registered land tax clients will receive their assessment notice from Revenue NSW starting January 2026 for the 2026 land tax year. For more information on land tax, thresholds and exemptions visit revenue.nsw.gov.au.
‘Local councils receive updated land values at least every three years and use them as one of a number of factors when setting rates. About one-third of councils will receive new values this year. If a council is receiving new 2025 values, residents will be sent a notice of valuation between November 2025 and April 2026. The Valuer General does not set council rates.
‘Landholders have 60 days from the issue date printed on their notice to object to their land valuation if they believe it is incorrect and can provide recent sales evidence to support their claim.
‘The latest land values for all properties in New South Wales, along with trends, medians and typical land values for each local government area, are available on the NSW Valuer General’s website’.
For more information on land values and the NSW valuation system, visit www.nsw.gov.au/valuergeneral .
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