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

Australia’s housing crisis has reached a tipping point — and the need for pragmatic, scalable solutions has never been more urgent.

The Urban Developer Affordable Housing Summit brings together government, private capital, developers, planners, architects, and community housing providers for a day of ideas, insights, and actionable strategies to help tackle one of the nation’s greatest challenges.

From unpacking planning reforms and legislative changes to showcasing real-world partnerships and purpose-built case studies, this full-day summit explores how the development sector can unlock affordable supply — and make it viable.

Set in the heart of Sydney, the summit offers a platform to connect the people driving change and shaping the future of affordable housing in Australia.

Details

Wednesday, 26 November, 2025
TBC | Sydney
8:30 am – 3.00 pm AEST
100 + C-Suite Professionals
TUD+ Member: $370 + GST
Non-member: $495 + GST

Speakers

Scott Langford is a senior leader in affordable housing, with a 20-year career spanning development, management and investment. As former Group CEO of SGCH, he mobilised over $1 billion in private capital. Now at Housing Australia, he continues to champion scalable housing solutions that balance social impact and financial sustainability.

Robert Furolo is a senior executive at Deicorp, one of Australia’s leading apartment developers. With a background in politics, planning and public administration, he leads the company’s communications, stakeholder engagement and community relations, drawing on three decades of experience to champion housing delivery and urban renewal across metropolitan Sydney.

Belinda Bentley is Managing Director of 9Springs, a boutique property investment and advisory firm working across development, capital and strategy. She advises private and public sector clients and serves on the board of Link Wentworth Housing. Belinda also holds industry leadership roles with UTS and the Urban Land Institute.

Charles Daoud is Co-Director of Traders in Purple, a privately owned developer delivering complex projects across Australia. With a background in engineering and construction, he brings over two decades of project delivery experience and is a leading advocate for social and affordable housing, community outcomes and local industry participation.

Jane Lloyd is a board advisor to Habilis, supporting its mission to deliver high-quality housing for vulnerable Australians. With a 30-year career spanning leadership roles at Lendlease, Stockland and Dexus, she now advises across property, planning and governance, bringing deep expertise to complex urban, commercial and residential environments.

Richard Ollerhead is the Founder and Managing Director of SDG, a purpose-driven property group delivering socially impactful developments. A registered architect with 25 years’ experience, Richard combines design, development and faith-based values to foster community outcomes, having previously led major affordable housing initiatives at Anglicare Sydney under the SAHF program.

Melissa Neighbour is a town planner, sustainability specialist, and founder of Sky Planning in Sydney. With 20 years’ experience, she has delivered award-winning projects nationwide and advises governments, developers, and communities on housing, policy, and placemaking. Melissa also lectures, speaks on urban trends, and serves on boards driving community-focused development.

Ross Jones is CEO of Sydney Anglican Property, bringing three decades of major infrastructure experience to the delivery of mission-aligned property initiatives. A former global executive at Jacobs and NSW mental health ambassador, Ross is focused on using design, planning and collaboration to support community, ministry and long-term sustainability.

Nicholas Carney is a Partner at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, specialising in affordable, social and disability housing. He advises governments, CHPs, and investors on major housing programs nationwide, including HAFF and SAHF, and champions private capital’s role in delivering new housing models to meet Australia’s growing social infrastructure needs.

James Pearce is a Partner at Fender Katsalidis and a design leader in build-to-rent and affordable housing. With over two decades of experience, he specialises in unlocking site potential through concept-led design, delivering high-impact residential projects that balance affordability, liveability and architectural ambition in urban and community-focused settings.

Cathy Houston is Managing Director at MA Financial and a specialist in credit asset management with over 30 years’ experience in real estate finance, structuring and advisory. She has led complex transactions across development finance, securitisation and capital markets, advising corporates, governments and not-for-profits on property strategy and investment.

David Schwartz is a Principal and economist at SGS Economics & Planning, specialising in housing policy, feasibility, and infrastructure economics. With global consulting experience, he delivers evidence-based insights for government and industry, helping shape land use, funding strategies and social policy through rigorous analysis, stakeholder engagement, and strategic problem-solving.

Laurie Leigh is CEO of Bridge Housing, bringing executive experience across aged care, disability, health, and property development. With a track record leading complex organisations with $1.6B in assets and 4000 staff, she now leads Bridge’s mission to deliver impactful, innovative housing solutions that change lives for the better.

Buy your ticket

TUD+ MEMBER
$370+ GST

Barista coffee on arrival
Access to 7+ sessions
Hear from 15+ speakers
Downloadable copy of presentations
Networking morning tea & lunch
Networking drinks post event
TUD+ members save up to $125

NON-MEMBER
$495+ GST

Barista coffee on arrival
Access to 7+ sessions
Hear from 15+ speakers
Downlodable copy of presentations
Networking morning tea & lunch
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

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Program

NETWORKING

8:30 AM

Registration and Networking

PANEL

9:00 AM

From Niche to Powerhouse
Why This Alternative Housing Model Is Booming

Once a niche product, land lease communities have become one of the fastest-growing residential asset classes in Australia. This opening keynote explores the market drivers, demographic shifts and capital flows reshaping the sector — and where the biggest opportunities lie for developers and investors.

PRESENTER TO BE ANNOUNCED

PANEL

9:30 AM

Rules of the Game
Navigating the Legal and Regulatory Landscape

The land lease model operates under a unique legal and regulatory framework. This presentation will unpack the latest reforms to consumer protection requirements and contractual considerations, providing clarity on how to structure projects with confidence.

PRESENTER

PANEL

10:00 AM

From Concept to Community
Developer Case Studies on Delivery Models That Work

In this developer-led session, leading operators share their approach to site acquisition, planning, funding and delivery. Hear how they’ve overcome challenges, refined their business models and created communities that outperform.

PANEL