Property Development Masterclass
Your guide to mastering the property development process with expert insights, practical strategies and real-world industry knowledge.
Wednesday 26 November 2025
Sydney
About the event
The Urban Developer proudly presents its Property Development Masterclass, a practical, industry-focused program tailored for professionals seeking to sharpen their skills in property development.
Delivered by leading experts from Urbis, Stamford Capital, Gadens and Mitchell Brandtman this hands-on course covers the entire property development lifecycle—from site selection, feasibilities and town planning to construction and funding.
The day will conclude with a candid discussion featuring Allen Sammut, managing director of Sammut Group—one of New South Wales’ most accomplished property developers.
In a conversation with Adam Di Marco, founder and chief executive of The Urban Developer, they will explore Allen’s personal journey, including how to identify opportunities, manage risk, anticipate market cycles and create a lasting legacy.
Details
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
Gadens, Sydney Office
8.30AM – 4.30PM AEDT
40+ C-Suite Professionals
TUD+ Member: $595 + GST
Non-Member: $795 + GST
Partipants will gain
A comprehensive understanding of the property development process
Practical strategies for navigating planning frameworks and approvals
Legal and contractual essentials specific to Sydney and NSW developments
Insights into budgeting, builder procurement, and cost management
Financing solutions tailored to current market conditions
First-hand lessons from one of New South Wales’ most accomplished developers
Who should attend
Aspiring developers wanting a clear introduction to the development process
Emerging professionals looking to broaden their property knowledge
Private developers and investors aiming to sharpen skills and avoid pitfalls
Consultants and service providers seeking insight into the developer’s perspective
Industry leaders after a refresher on best practices and market trends
Presenters
Allen Sammut
Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director
sammut group
Allen Sammut’s journey in the construction industry began over 42 years ago as an apprentice carpenter, then obtaining his builders license under the guidance of his father Paul Sammut at ‘Sammut Homes.’ Driven by ambition and a passion for excellence, Allen, alongside his twin brother John, then established ‘Sammut Developments.’ This family legacy has continued to grow with the arrival of the third generation, Julian Sammut, in 2019.
In 2021, the company diversified its portfolio and evolved into Sammut Group, a powerhouse in the Australian development scene, recognised with over 40 major industry awards. Allen’s leadership is pivotal; he meticulously oversees all aspects of the business, from site acquisitions to the intricate design development of each project along with a hands-on approach throughout the construction and delivery process. He also plays an active role in managing client relations, ensuring trust, transparency, and long-standing partnerships. His unwavering commitment ensures that every client experiences the unparalleled luxury and quality that Sammut Group is celebrated for.
Danielle Blakely
Associate Director
Urbis
Danielle is an experienced urban planner with public and private sector expertise in Australia and abroad. With a background in law, she specialises in urban infill and brownfield developments, guiding complex projects through statutory pathways. Passionate about urban renewal, she delivers planning advice that creates sustainable, vibrant, and liveable places.
Matthew Taylor
Partner
Gadens
Matthew has over 15 years’ experience in large-scale construction disputes across courts, arbitrations and adjudications. He advises contractors, principals, councils and Commonwealth departments on project delivery, security of payment, disruption claims, contract breaches, variations, remediation and damages, bringing specialist expertise in resolving complex construction and infrastructure matters.
Alok Jain
Associate
Mitchell Brandtman
Alok Jain is an Associate at Mitchell Brandtman with over 21 years’ experience in commercial and residential construction. Specialising in contracts administration, estimating, quantity surveying and cost planning, he provides expert guidance on project management and legal issues, with strong knowledge of sustainable construction practices and dispute resolution.
Peter Cassar
Associate Director
Stamford Capital
Peter is an Associate Director at Stamford Capital, delivering strategic debt and equity solutions for developers and investors. With expertise across residential, mixed-use, industrial and accommodation projects, he specialises in structuring complex transactions. Peter combines private wealth and finance experience to tailor funding solutions that balance flexibility, efficiency and certainty.
Daniel Kelly
Associate Director
Stamford Capital
Daniel Kelly is an Associate Director at Stamford Capital in Sydney, connecting clients with tailored funding solutions. He has arranged financing from $1m to $100m across the Eastern Seaboard, guiding projects through every stage. With Stamford, he contributes to billions in settled loans across diverse property transactions.
Adam Di Marco
Founder and Chief Executive
The Urban Developer
With more than a decade of professional experience in property, Adam founded The Urban Developer in 2014 and has led its growth into an integrated media, events and education network that has established an enviable reputation in media and property circles.
Adam remains active within the property industry as a director of Brisbane-based property developer, Di Marco Group.
Course outline
Registrations & Networking
Connect with fellow attendees and industry leaders over coffee as you prepare for a day of learning.
Introduction to the Course
A quick overview of the day’s agenda, learning outcomes and key speakers.
What will be covered:
Outline the day’s structure and schedule
Introduce facilitators, guest speakers, and city-specific leaders
Highlight key learning outcomes for property development professionals
Property Development 101: From Concept to Completion
Get to grips with the fundamentals of property development, including lifecycle stages, emerging market trends and practical tips for avoiding common pitfalls.
What will be covered:
Overview of the development lifecycle from concept to completion
Introduction to key phases: site selection, feasibility, approvals, financing, construction, and marketing
Market insights and emerging trends within the property development industry
Common pitfalls and best practices for developers at various stages
Roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders in a project lifecycle
Presenter: Adam Di Marco, Founder and Chief Executive, The Urban Developer
Networking Morning Tea
Take a moment to recharge with refreshments and exchange perspectives on the morning’s discussions with peers.
Town Planning and Design: Navigating the Approval Process
Learn how to navigate the town planning process with insights specific to Sydney and New South Wales. Streamline approvals, address design challenges and align with community expectations.
What will be covered:
Local Planning Frameworks: Learn to interpret Sydney and New South Wales planning schemes.
How to Manage Site Overlays: Identify and mitigate risks from overlays such as flooding, bushfire zones, and heritage constraints
Community Expectations: Explore strategies to align developments with local community needs and regulatory requirements
How to Streamline Approvals: Discover practical tools to fast-track development applications and minimise delays
Residential Design Standards: Understand how to meet essential design requirements, including building heights, setbacks, and landscaping.
Presenter: Danielle Blakely, Associate Director, Urbis
Legal Essentials: Understanding Agreements Required For Development
Gain clarity on contracts, due diligence, off-the-plan sales and builder procurement to ensure your project is on solid legal footing.
What will be covered:
Understand contract types and due diligence requirements, including title, zoning and easement checks
Learn obligations for off-the-plan sales under New South Wales property laws, including disclosure and cooling-off periods
Agency agreements, sales contracts, and disclosure documentation specific to Sydney regulations
Overview of construction contract types and strategies for selecting and managing builders
Presenter: Matthew Taylor, Partner, Gadens
Networking Lunch
Break for lunch and continue the conversation with fellow attendees over shared insights from the morning.
Construction and Delivery: Estimating, Procuring and Managing a Builder
Master the art of budgeting, tendering and contractor management to deliver your projects on time and within budget.
What will be covered:
An overview of techniques for accurate cost forecasting and budget planning
Key steps in selecting and negotiating with builders to achieve project goals
Strategies for effective communication and oversight during construction
Presenter: Alok Jain, Associate, Mitchell Brandtman
Project Funding: Optimal Financing Solutions for a Project
Discover financing structures, funding sources and strategies to optimise your project’s financial performance.
What will be covered:
Understand the current funding landscape and its implications for Sydney developers
Explore common financing structures used in property development in the region
Evaluate costs and strategies to optimise financial performance for Sydney and NSW projects
Presenters:
Peter Cassar, Associate Director, Stamford Capital
Daniel Kelly, Associate Director, Stamford Capital
Developer Spotlight: Allen Sammut, Sammut Group
Hear directly from one of the nation’s leading developers as he share lessons learned, business strategies and his approach to navigating challenges in the industry.
In a conversation with Adam Di Marco, founder and chief executive of The Urban Developer, Allen will explore his personal journey, including how to identify opportunities, manage risk, anticipate market cycles and create a lasting legacy. This is a wonderful opportunity to hear directly from one of the nation’s most accomplished property developers.
Presenters:
Allen Sammut, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Sammut Group
Adam Di Marco, Founder and Chief Executive, The Urban Developer
Networking Drinks
Unwind over closing drinks while sharing reflections on the day’s discussions and building new relationships.
Buy your ticket
TUD+ MEMBER
$595+ GST
- Full-day expert-led masterclass sessions
- Networking opportunities
- Comprehensive course materials
- Practical insights tailored to your city
- Morning tea, lunch and refreshments
- Networking drinks post event
- TUD+ members save up to $200
NON-MEMBER
$795+ GST
- Full-day expert-led masterclass sessions
- Networking opportunities
- Comprehensive course materials
- Practical insights tailored to your city
- Morning tea, lunch and refreshments
- Networking drinks post event
Program at a glance
Through keynote presentations, thought-leading panels, and curated case studies, we’ll explore:
- Where the next wave of office supply will come from — and why
- The impact of capital markets on feasibility, scale and delivery
- How flight-to-quality is reshaping development pipelines
- Adaptive reuse and repositioning as pathways to value creation
- The role of mixed-use precincts in CBD and fringe revitalisation
- Trends in design, amenity and technology influencing projects.
- The market signals developers should be watching over the next decade
Full Program
View all session details, speakers, timings and formats
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