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Planning reform, project feasibilities and shifting buyer behaviour are among the challenges residential developers are grappling with as 2025 unfolds.
With policy, pricing and population growth playing out differently across the segments of the eastern seaboard, The Urban Developer’s Residential Development Summit returns this April and May to offer city-specific programs in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, helping developers cut through the noise.
From approval pathways to product strategy, the event series brings together leading voices in planning, finance, sales and research to share practical solutions—and help developers navigate the year ahead with confidence.
Brisbane | Wednesday, April 30
Each of the summits begins with a national outlook by Charter Keck Cramer national executive director of research Richard Temlett, who will deliver a data-backed keynote on the major forces shaping residential development across Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.
Temlett will examine the intersection of demographic shifts, economic indicators and policy reform, unpacking what they mean for future supply—and for those looking to deliver it. A trusted advisor to developers, investors and government, Temlett’s address sets the tone for each summit by providing the critical context needed to make informed decisions.
While planning remains a consistent pressure point across all three cities, the issues developers are facing on the ground vary significantly.
Brisbane: Place Design Group director Angus Green will outline how developers should respond to changing frameworks and infrastructure constraints as South-East Queensland gears up for rapid growth.
Sydney: With major reforms under way in NSW, Willowtree Planning managing director Chris Wilson will explore how new state-led planning agendas are reshaping opportunities for site acquisition and development delivery.
Melbourne: Planning & Property Partners director Sue Zhang will take a closer look at VCAT delays, inconsistent policy interpretation and how developers can improve their chances in a fractured regulatory environment.
While market sentiment is improving, feasibility remains a sticking point. Rising costs, flatlining prices and tighter lending continue to test the viability of projects in every capital.
Brisbane: A panel of experts—Rebecca Osterman (Neoscape), Michael Nitschke (MaxCap), Carly Cottam (Motiv), and Caitlin Shields (Mitchell Brandtman)—will share what’s getting funded, what’s not, and how to close the gap between costs and margins.
Sydney: In the country’s most expensive market, feasibility is being redefined. Diana Sarcasmo (Colliers), Tass Assarapin (Mitchell Brandtman) and David Oudshoorn (MaxCap) will explore how capital stacks, risk appetite and deal structuring are evolving.
Melbourne: With delivery models shifting, a local panel including Kurtis Prescott (Mitchell Brandtman), Bill McWilliams (MaxCap), Tim Hyland (RPM) and Elissa Loh-Brown (Legacy Project Management) will unpack how developers are adapting—and what the new baseline for project viability looks like.
Developers are also contending with a more value-conscious and segmented buyer market. Understanding what drives demand in 2025 is essential for those tailoring product, pricing and positioning.
Domain chief of research and economics Nicola Powell will present a national keynote on the evolving buyer landscape. Backed by proprietary data, Powell will explore how affordability pressures, demographic shifts and shifting preferences are shaping what people want to buy—and where.
From planning approvals to project delivery, The Urban Developer’s Residential Development Summit is designed to provide localised intelligence for developers operating in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.
Each event features a curated agenda tailored to the regulatory, economic and demand-side conditions of each city—providing practical insights for decision-makers across the residential development sector.
Limited tickets remain. View the full agenda and secure your seat now by selecting your preferred city below.
Brisbane | Wednesday, April 30
