Industrial property demand on the rise in the Central Coast

With connectivity to Sydney and Newcastle, the Central Coast is positioned as a critical link in New South Wales’ industrial network. The region is drawing interest from occupiers and investors seeking affordable, well-connected alternatives to metropolitan markets, and competition for development-ready sites is accelerating. 

Industrial property is also a major economic driver for the region. Construction, manufacturing and transport collectively employ more than 30% of the local workforce, underscoring the sector’s importance to the Coast’s $19.17 billion economy (ABS, 2021; Central Coast Council, 2024). 

Strategic locations driving growth

The Central Coast Regional Plan 2041 identifies Somersby and Warnervale as key employment areas, supported by transport infrastructure and long-term planning certainty (NSW Department of Planning and Environment, 2023). These hubs provide scale for large-format users and form the backbone of industrial growth across the region. 

Adding to this network is Jilliby, where Warner Business Park is establishing itself as a premium industrial estate. Sites here combine visibility, flexibility and connectivity, making it one of the few growth areas able to accommodate both local businesses and regional-scale operators. Commercial Collective is currently marketing a 9,858sqm subdivision-ready site on Cedar Mill Drive, reflecting both occupier demand and investor confidence in Jilliby’s long-term potential. 

Market dynamics and business implications

Industrial vacancy is limited across the Central Coast, mirroring national trends of historic lows. At the same time, e-commerce growth and supply chain reshoring are creating sustained demand for warehousing and logistics space. The Coast’s affordability advantage, coupled with its connectivity to Sydney and Newcastle, is attracting both new entrants and expansions from established businesses. 

For occupiers, the challenge is securing space before supply tightens further. Construction and trade operators in particular, are competing for high-quality lots at Somersby and Jilliby. For investors, limited land release, government-backed planning certainty and population-driven demand provide confidence in long-term value growth. 

The outlook for Central Coast industrial property 

The Central Coast industrial market is defined by both opportunity and constraint. Demand is being fuelled by population growth, e-commerce and supply chain shifts, while new supply is largely concentrated in key areas such as Somersby, Warnervale and Jilliby, as identified in the Central Coast Regional Plan 2041 (NSW Department of Planning and Environment, 2023). 

This balance is creating urgency. Businesses seeking expansion are competing for a finite pool of quality sites, while investors are targeting locations with planning certainty and long-term potential. In this environment, timing matters. Those who act early are best positioned to capture the benefits of a sector that underpins the region’s future growth.