The Future of Greenfield Development: Economic Outlook, Feasibility, Growth & Innovation

Victoria’s greenfield development sector is entering a period of significant change. Rising costs, planning reform, infrastructure challenges and shifting market conditions are reshaping how future communities are planned and delivered.

Join APAA Greenfield Forum 2026, an exclusive industry forum bringing together leaders across economics, engineering, development, urban design and government to explore the trends, challenges and opportunities shaping Victoria’s greenfield future.

Explore key industry insights into:

• Market Outlook: Economic trends and market forces influencing development decisions.

• Project Feasibility & Delivery: Strategies to improve certainty, manage risk and achieve better project outcomes.

• Innovation & AI: How emerging technologies are transforming the way projects are planned, assessed and delivered.

• Future Communities: Practical approaches to accelerate housing supply and create connected, sustainable communities.

Opening Keynote

Mr David Southwick MP

Member for Caulfield

Deputy Leader of the Opposition

Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party

Shadow Minister for Planning

Shadow Minister for Housing and Building

Shadow Minister for Tourism and Major Events

David will open proceedings with a forward-looking address, offering insight into the government's current priorities, reform pathways, and the policy direction guiding the future of the property sector.

Featured Speakers & Panellists

James McIntyre

Economist, Bloomberg

James is a Bloomberg Economics economist covering the Australian and New Zealand economies. Drawing on experience across financial institutions, government and public policy, including Macquarie Bank, Commonwealth Bank and the Australian Treasury, James provides valuable insights into the economic trends, market conditions and broader forces shaping Australia’s development outlook.

Shaun Eisel

Principal & VIC Lead, Inertia Engineering

Shaun brings over 20 years of leadership in Urban Development and Infrastructure across the Property, Commercial and Social Infrastructure sectors. Combining deep industry expertise with digital innovation, he leads the application of Inertia LandAI in Victoria to help clients make faster, data-driven development decisions. Inertia LandAI was recognised as Best New PropTech at The Urban Developer Awards for Industry Excellence 2026. Shaun also drives collaborative project delivery through strong stakeholder alignment, effective governance and disciplined program management.

Penelope Forrest

General Manager, VIC & SA, AVID Property Group

Penny brings over 25 years of capability initiating and delivering master-planned communities across Victoria and NSW, to the role of General Manager Victoria AVID. Penny is an advocate for the residential Property Industry and has been actively engaged with industry bodies throughout her career, including as past Chair of the Property Council Victoria’s Residential Developers Committee. Penny has previously held leadership roles at Peet Ltd and Development Victoria.

Mike Day

Co-founder & Director, Sharp | Day

Mike is a Co-founder and director of Sharp | Day, a practice dedicated to Nature Positive Urbanism. Embedding biodiversity solutions with timeless walkable neighbourhood design.

Formerly co-founder of Roberts Day, which merged with HATCH | Urban Solutions in 2020, Mike has led multi-disciplinary teams shape award-winning new towns and urban renewal projects across Australia, New Zealand, the UAE and Asia.

Mike was the principal master planner and urban designer of the Ellenbrook New Town and the recipient of the Russell Taylor Award for Design Excellence for Ellenbrook. Ellenbrook received the International Real Estate Federation [FIABCI] 2015 World Prix d'Excellence Award as the world's best master-planned community.

Ellenbrook continues to be recognised…with both the 2025 Urban Development Institute of Australia (WA) Award for Excellence and the Property Council of Australia Award for Best Master planned Community.

Mike was the recipient of the 2018 Place Leaders Asia Pacific Centrepiece Award | Leadership Excellence in Promoting Walkable Urbanism.

Liam Wilkinson

Manager Strategic Futures at the City of Whittlesea

Liam Wilkinson leads the Strategic Futures Department at the City of Whittlesea, shaping the future growth of one of Victoria’s fastest-growing municipalities.

Liam has extensive experience delivering a range complex strategic planning projects in greenfield, established and urban renewal contexts. His team supports the coordinated and orderly development of greenfield residential and industrial development and has a strong focus on partnering with the development sector to deliver enhanced outcomes for the community.

Liam brings valuable insights into planning for sustainable growth, coordinating infrastructure delivery and creating great places for a thriving community.

Facilitated by Anthony Jansen

APAA Executive Committee & Advocacy Lead | Development Director, Intrapac Property

Hotel Seminar Style | Keynote Presentations | Expert Panel | Networking

Join industry leaders and property professionals for an evening of expert insights, thought-provoking discussions and meaningful connections in a premium hotel seminar setting.

Catering and alcoholic drinks will be served throughout the evening.

Agenda

• Welcome & Keynote Presentations

  David Southwick MP, Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party and Shadow Minister for Planning, Housing and Building, and Tourism and Major Events, opens the session as keynote speaker with a forward-looking address.

  Following the keynote, hear from James McIntyre, Economist at Bloomberg, on the economic trends and market forces influencing Australia’s development outlook, followed by Shaun Eisel, Principal & VIC Lead at Inertia Engineering, exploring how innovation, AI and technology are improving feasibility and delivery outcomes in greenfield development.

• Expert Panel Discussion

  Industry leaders across development, engineering, urban design and government share practical perspectives on navigating market challenges, accelerating housing delivery and creating better greenfield outcomes.

• Networking & Industry Connections

  Continue conversations with developers, project leaders, consultants and industry professionals over drinks and canapés.

Platinum Sponsors

Chifley Securities | Trusted Partner in Commercial Property Finance

https://chifleysecurities.com.au/

Inertia Engineering - https://inertiaeng.com.au/

Gold Sponsors

SharpDay| Exploring Sustainable Innovations for Future Communities

https://www.sharpday.com.au/

Supporting Sponsors

Prime Land Consultants -https://primelandconsultants.com.au/
Leading Licensed Land Surveyor, Land Development and Subdivision Experts.

Insight Planning Consultants - https://insightplanning.com.au/

Planning Inspiring Places

Have questions about your registration or the event? Our team is happy to assist.

Contact the APAA team:
info@apaassociation.com.au