Meet Your Presenters

Penny Douglas / Director
Urbis

Penny Douglas is a highly experienced Urban Planner with 29 years of expertise in navigating complex town planning processes across Brisbane and South-East Queensland.

Specialising in development assessment for projects ranging from CBD towers to residential subdivisions, Penny combines deep knowledge of local planning frameworks, legislative requirements and community expectations. 

Her approach focuses on delivering practical, balanced solutions that streamline approvals, address design challenges, and ensure compliance with residential design standards.

Penny will present the Town Planning and Design session, offering practical strategies to navigate the planning process and align projects with local expectations.

Liam Chambers / Partner
Gadens

Liam Chambers is a property and development specialist with extensive experience advising on residential developments and major property transactions.

He works closely with public and private clients to navigate complex legal frameworks, focusing on contracts, due diligence, and procurement for residential, industrial, and mixed-use projects. 

Liam’s expertise includes advising on Queensland-specific regulations for off-the-plan sales, financing, and leasing, ensuring his clients achieve legally compliant and commercially successful outcomes.

Liam will present the Legal Essentials session, providing practical insights into contracts, due diligence, off-the-plan sales, and builder procurement tailored to Queensland’s residential development landscape.

Caitlin Shields / Partner
Mitchell Brandtman

Caitlin Shields is a Partner at Mitchell Brandtman, bringing over 17 years of expertise in construction and Quantity Surveying.

Specialising in residential and commercial developments, Caitlin combines her deep knowledge of budgeting, tendering, and contractor management to help clients deliver projects on time and within budget. 

As a leader in BIM technology, she has transformed cost forecasting and project oversight, setting new standards for efficiency and accuracy in the construction process.

Caitlin will present the Construction Management session, offering practical strategies for cost planning, builder selection and effective project management during construction.

Adam Di Marco / Founder & CEO
The Urban Developer

Adam Di Marco is the founder and chief executive of The Urban Developer, with over a decade of professional experience in property. 

Since establishing the platform in 2014, Adam has grown it into an industry-leading network for media, events, and education, highly regarded in both media and property circles.

In addition to his leadership role, Adam remains active in the property industry as a director of Brisbane-based property developer, Di Marco Group, bringing hands-on experience in the development lifecycle.

Adam will present the Property Development 101 session, providing an essential guide to the stages of development, emerging market trends, and strategies to avoid common pitfalls.

Grant Rex / Director
Stamford Capital

Grant Rex is the Director of Stamford Capital’s Queensland office, where he advises and supports developers and investors through the complex funding process. 

With over 15 years of experience in banking and property, both in Australia and internationally, Grant brings a deep understanding of financing strategies for the property sector.

During his time at Stamford Capital, Grant has successfully arranged funding for projects valued at up to $120 million across the Eastern Seaboard, with a focus on delivering tailored solutions for developers in Brisbane and South-East Queensland.

Grant will present the Funding Insights session, sharing expert advice on financing structures, funding sources, and strategies to optimise financial performance for property projects in the region.

Don O'Rorke / CEO & Chairman
Consolidated Properties

Don O'Rorke is a founding member of Consolidated Properties Group (CPG), where he has been instrumental in building the company into one of Australia’s leading property developers. 

Over 40 years, Don has shaped CPG’s success, driving its current $3 billion development pipeline across residential, office, and retail properties along the Eastern Seaboard.

Don will feature in the Developer Spotlight session, sharing insights from his personal journey, lessons learned, and strategies for navigating industry challenges. 

In conversation with Adam Di Marco, Don will discuss identifying opportunities, managing risk, anticipating market cycles, and creating a lasting legacy.