Property Development Masterclass

Your guide to mastering the property development process with expert insights, practical strategies and real-world industry knowledge.

FEBRUARY 12 2025 | 8.30 AM - 4.00 PM AEST | GADENS OFFICE, BRISBANE

Days
Hours
Minutes

About the course

The Urban Developer is proud to launch 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 Don O’Rorke, chief executive and chairman of Consolidated Properties—one of South-East Queensland’s most accomplished property developers.

In a conversation with Adam Di Marco, founder and chief executive of The Urban Developer, they will explore Don’s personal journey, including how to identify opportunities, manage risk, anticipate market cycles and create a lasting legacy.

Wednesday, February 12 2025 | 8.30 am – 4.00 pm AEST

Level 11/111 Eagle St, Brisbane City QLD 4000

Course outline

8:30 AM – 9:00 AM

Connect with fellow attendees and industry leaders over coffee as you prepare for a day of learning.

9:00 AM – 9:15 AM

A quick overview of the day’s agenda, learning outcomes, and key speakers.

9:15 AM – 10:30 AM

Get to grips with the fundamentals of property development, including lifecycle stages, emerging market trends and practical tips for avoiding common pitfalls.

  • Overview of the development lifecycle from concept to completion
  • 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

Presenter: Adam Di Marco, founder and chief executive, The Urban Developer.

10:30 AM – 11:00 AM

Morning Tea

11:00 AM – 11:45 AM

Learn how to navigate the town planning process with insights specific to Brisbane and South-East Queensland. Streamline approvals, address design challenges and align with community expectations.

  • Local Planning Frameworks: Learn to interpret schemes like Brisbane City Plan, Gold Coast City Plan and Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme.
  • 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: Penny Douglas – Director, Urbis

11:45 AM – 12:30 PM

Gain clarity on contracts, due diligence, off-the-plan sales and builder procurement to ensure your project is on solid legal footing.

  • Understand Queensland contract types and due diligence requirements, including title, zoning and easement checks
  • Learn obligations for off-the-plan sales under Queensland property laws, including disclosure and cooling-off periods
  • Agency agreements, sales contracts, and disclosure documentation specific to Queensland regulations
  • Overview of construction contract types and strategies for selecting and managing builders

Presenter: Liam Chambers – Partner, Gadens

12:30PM – 1:30 PM

Networking Lunch

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM

Master the art of budgeting, tendering and contractor management to deliver your projects on time and within budget.

  • 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: Caitlin Shields – Partner, Mitchell Brandtman

2:15 PM – 3:00 PM

Discover financing structures, funding sources and strategies to optimise your project’s financial performance.

  • Understand the current funding landscape and its implications for Queensland developers
  • Explore common financing structures used in property development in the region
  • Evaluate costs and strategies to optimise financial performance for Brisbane and SEQ projects

Presenter: Grant Rex – Director, Stamford Capital

3:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Hear directly from one of Queensland’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, Don 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 South-Easeensland’s most accomplished property developers.

3:30 PM – 4:00 PM

Networking Drinks

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.

Register Now

Limited tickets are available, act fast!

General Admission

$795.00

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$595.00

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Why attend

This is not your typical industry seminar—it’s a focused, high-level workshop tailored for property professionals seeking to sharpen their expertise and stay ahead in a competitive market. Designed for those with a solid foundation in property development, this masterclass offers:

Practical insights

Learn real-world strategies and techniques you can apply immediately to your projects.

Expert access

Gain invaluable knowledge from some of the most respected names in property development.

Localised knowledge

Understand city-specific nuances to stay competitive in Brisbane, Sydney, or Melbourne.

PRESENTING PARTNER

VENUE PARTNER

Want to attend in other cities?

Join us in either Sydney or Melbourne where we will unpack the outlook for each region.

Melbourne: Wednesday, February 19

Sydney: Friday, February 28

FAQs

Who is The Urban Developer?

The Urban Developer is Australia’s largest, most engaged and fastest growing community of property developers and urban development professionals. For more information, head to our website.

Join more than 250 c-suite property development professionals, including property developers and investors, financiers, town planners and architects, government and councils and many more.

This course is designed for individuals with intermediate knowledge and/or experience in residential property development.

Yes, this event is accredited for 7 CPD points and may be recognised by professional bodies, including API, RICS, AIQS, REIQ, and others.

The course will be held at Gadens Lawyers – Level 11/111 Eagle St, Brisbane City QLD 4000. Please arrive on time at 8:30am for registration. 

Please email tudevents@theurbandeveloper.com with your name, mobile, event and a description of your problem so our team can assist. 

Connecting, informing and inspiring the property industry.