A 120-square-metre vacant block of land in Cockburn Central — equivalent to six parking bays — has hit the market, appearing to be the smallest current listing in Perth. The lot, which occupies the same area as half a tennis court, a third of a basketball court, or a single bowling lane, is priced at a minimum of $349,000, translating to roughly $2,900 per square metre.
Perth's Affordability Squeeze
This tiny lot underscores the ongoing affordability crisis in Perth, where finding a cheaper block of land is nearly impossible. Over the past six months, only a handful of suburbs have recorded sales under $350,000, including Lakelands, Rockingham, Balga, Baldivis, and Beeliar. Most of these lots were less than 240 square metres, with Yanchep being an exception at 330 square metres.
Shrinking Lot Sizes Over Time
The average lot size in new estates has been steadily declining. In 2006, it was 550 square metres, according to the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA). By mid-2016, the median had dropped to 390 square metres, and it now sits at 380 square metres. While older generations may find these dimensions diminutive, they are not the smallest on record. That distinction belongs to 80-square-metre micro lots in Ellenbrook, launched in 2018.
