Capricorn Coast Housing Market 2026: Why Supply Is Tight, What It Means for You in Yeppoon & Emu Park, and Where the Opportunities Are
By @ Real Estate — Capricorn Coast Property Specialists
If you’ve been wondering why homes in Yeppoon, Emu Park and across the Capricorn Coast are selling so quickly — and why there seems to be so little to choose from — you’re not imagining it.
We’re in one of the tightest property markets this region has ever seen, and buyers and sellers are asking the same question every day:
“Why is there such a housing shortage, and what does that mean for me?”
This article explains what’s happening, why it’s happening, and where the opportunities still exist for people who understand the market.
1. The Capricorn Coast Housing Shortage — What’s Really Happening
Livingstone Shire has been one of Queensland’s fastest-growing regional areas for years. More people are choosing Yeppoon, Emu Park and surrounding coastal communities for lifestyle, affordability and work flexibility.
But housing supply has not kept up.
There are two different ways to look at this — and it’s important to understand the difference.
A) Dwelling approvals (new homes being built)
This is the number of new homes approved or built each year.
Official Queensland Government and council planning documents have consistently shown that Livingstone Shire needs hundreds of new homes per year just to keep up with population growth.
However, for many years now, actual dwelling approvals have been well below that level, often sitting closer to a few hundred homes per year. That means we are falling further behind every year, not catching up.
This is the long-term driver of today’s housing shortage.
B) Stock levels (how many properties are for sale right now)
This is the number of properties buyers can actually choose from on realestate.com.au — including houses, units, land, new builds and established homes.
Using our own local tracking of Capricorn Coast listings since 2016, we’ve seen stock steadily fall year after year.
As of January 2026, there are only around 260 properties for sale across the entire Capricorn Coast — which is extraordinarily low for a region of this size.
That is why:
- Good homes sell quickly
- Competition is strong
- Buyers often miss out
- Prices remain firm even when the wider media is uncertain
This isn’t speculation — it’s simple supply and demand.
2. Why We Aren’t Building Fast Enough
A lot of people ask:
“Why don’t they just build more houses?”
On the Capricorn Coast, it’s not that simple.
Regional Queensland has higher build costs
Building here is more expensive than in the southeast corner of Queensland (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, etc.) because:
- Homes must meet cyclone construction standards
- We compete with mining and infrastructure projects for trades
- Transport and logistics costs are higher
- Builder availability is limited
As a result, construction costs in Yeppoon and Emu Park are higher than in many city markets, and build times are often longer.
This makes it harder for new housing supply to come online quickly — especially affordable housing.
3. Is It Cheaper to Build or Buy Right Now?
In today’s Capricorn Coast market, it is usually cheaper and faster to buy an established home than to build a new one.
Why?
Because when you add together:
- Land
- Construction
- Site works
- Council fees
- Service connections
- Landscaping
- Holding costs
- Time delays
…the total cost of building often exceeds the price of a comparable established home — especially in Yeppoon and Emu Park where quality homes already exist.
That’s one reason established homes are so strongly sought after right now.
4. What This Means for Buyers
For buyers, this is a competitive market — but not a hopeless one.
Low stock means:
- Good homes don’t last long
- Pricing is supported
- Waiting often means paying more later
However, buyers who are prepared, pre-approved and well-advised can still secure excellent properties — especially when they move decisively.
The biggest risk right now is waiting for a flood of new homes that simply isn’t coming anytime soon.
5. What This Means for Sellers
For sellers in Yeppoon and Emu Park, the current conditions are powerful:
- There are very few competing listings
- Buyer enquiry is strong
- Well-presented homes attract serious interest
This is exactly the type of market that supports:
- Strong prices
- Faster sales
- Cleaner negotiations
The key is pricing and strategy — not just putting a sign up and hoping.
6. The Silver Lining
The Capricorn Coast is growing for good reasons:
- Lifestyle
- Climate
- Community
- Affordability compared to major cities
Housing shortages don’t last forever — but when they exist alongside strong population growth, they tend to support property values and long-term market strength.
That’s why many buyers, investors and homeowners are choosing to act now rather than wait.
Sources & Data References
The information in this article is based on:
- Queensland Government Statistician’s Office (QGSO) population and dwelling projections
- Livingstone Shire Council planning and housing supply documents
- ABS building approval data
- Realestate.com.au Capricorn Coast stock tracking (local historical data)
- Local construction industry conditions in Central Queensland
These are the same sources used by councils, planners and banks when assessing housing supply and demand.