Housing Now! Conference 2026
Description
Housing remains one of the most pressing challenges facing New South Wales, and while significant planning reforms have laid the groundwork for increased supply, the conversation must now shift from reform to delivery.
Business Western Sydney invites you to their annual Housing Now! Conference on 7 August 2026. Hear directly from The Hon. Chris Minns MP, Premier of NSW, alongside The Hon. Rose Jackson MLC, Minister for Housing, Minister for Homelessness, Minister for Water, The Hon. Anoulack Chantivong MP, Minister for Building, Kellie Sloane MP, Leader of the Opposition, Kiersten Fishburn, Secretary, Department of Housing, Infrastructure & Planning, with more speakers to be confirmed in the coming weeks.
Now in its fourth year, the Housing Now! Alliance is a consortium of business, trade unions, universities and advocacy groups. With the NSW Government having adopted many proposals from our previous recommendations, you can view the Alliance’s 2026 Policy Platform here, this year’s Conference will push the boundaries of debate again.
This is a must-attend event for anyone invested in building a better housing future for NSW.
CONFERENCE THEMES
From Reform to Delivery
Over the past three years, NSW has implemented major housing reforms. With new planning legislation, Transport-Oriented Development, Low and Mid-Rise Housing reforms and the Housing Delivery Authority now in place, the focus must shift from policy to outcomes. This theme will examine how government, industry and communities can work together to accelerate housing approvals, commencements and completions at the scale required to meet NSW's housing targets.
Unlocking the Housing Pipeline
NSW has a growing pipeline of potential housing opportunities, but barriers to delivery remain. This theme will examine how governments, industry and investors can work together to remove bottlenecks, improve certainty and accelerate the delivery of homes.
Housing for the Next Generation
For many young people, families and essential workers, the dream of home ownership is becoming increasingly unattainable. At the same time, renters are facing rising costs and increasing insecurity. This theme explores practical solutions to improve housing affordability, expand housing choice, strengthen rental outcomes and ensure future generations can live and work in the communities they serve.
Building Smarter: Productivity, Skills and Innovation
The housing challenge cannot be solved without addressing the capacity of the construction sector. This theme will examine how modern methods of construction, digital innovation, workforce development and skills investment can unlock greater efficiency and increase the industry's ability to build more homes, faster.
Western Sydney: The Engine Room of Housing Delivery
As Australia's fastest-growing region, Western Sydney will play a central role in meeting the state's housing needs. This theme will explore the unique opportunities and challenges facing the region, including infrastructure delivery, precinct planning, housing diversity and investment attraction.
Agenda
- 8:45 am - 8:50 am
Acknowledgement of Country
Kerrie-Anne McLeod, Venue & Events Manager, Business Western Sydney
- 8:50 am - 9:05 am
Housing Now! Policy Launch
David Borger, Executive Director, Business Western Sydney, Chair, Housing Now Alliance Eamon Waterford, CEO, Committee for Sydney
- 9:10 am - 9:30 am
Premier’s Address
The Hon. Chris Minns MP, Premier of New South Wales Followed by a moderated Q&A with David Borger
- 9:30 am - 9:40 am
Keynote Address
Ian Devereux, Head of Development, Aqualand
- 9:40 am - 10:00 am
PANEL: Breaking the Bottlenecks: What’s Holding Back Housing Delivery?
Tom Gellibrand, CEO, Infrastructure NSW Ranisha Clarke, CEO - Property, Castle Group Kate Miles, Head of System Planning, Sydney Water Moderator: Dan Hunter, CEO, Business NSW
- 10:00 am - 10:10 am
Keynote Address
Ranisha Clarke, CEO - Property, Castle Group
- 10:10 am - 10:25 am
The Hon. Anoulack Chanthivong MP
Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading, Minister for Industry and Trade, Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology, Minister for Building, and Minister for Corrections Followed by a moderated Q&A with David Borger
- 10:25 am - 10:32 am
Keynote Address
Paul Plowman, Executive General Manager, Water and Environment Services, Sydney Water
- 10:32 am - 10:40 am
Is Australia Ready for Housing Reform
Dr Rory Gallagher, Chief Policy & Research Officer, AMPLIFY Stephen Beverly, Policy Director, AMPLIFY
- 10:40 am - 10:45 am
Local Government Housing Champion of The Year Award
- 10:45 am - 11:05 am
PANEL: The Housing Market Reset Amy Hayashi, Senior Partner, Terra Rossa
Amy Hayashi, Senior Partner, Terra Rossa Impact Advisors/ Representing SSI Amanda Bailey, CEO, Faith Housing Gerard Dwyer, National Secretary, SDA Union Greg Robinson, NSW Vice-Chancellors’ Committee Moderator: Alan Mascarenhas, Executive Manager Policy & Advocacy, Business Western Sydney
- 11:05 am - 11:30 am
MORNING TEA
- 11:30 am - 11:50 am
Ms Kellie Sloane MP
Leader of the New South Wales Opposition Followed by a moderated Q&A with Eamon Waterford, CEO, Committee for Sydney
- 11:50 am - 12:00 pm
Keynote Address
Mr Josh Burns MP, Federal Member for Macnamara and Special Envoy for Social Housing and Homelessness
- 12:00 pm - 12:05 pm
Lived Experience with Lou Housego
- 12:05 pm - 12:15 am
Keynote Address
Dominic Behrens, Secretary, Sydney YIMBY
- 12:15 pm - 12:30 pm
Keynote Address
Kiersten Fishburn, Secretary, Department of Housing, Infrastructure & Planning Followed by moderated Q&A with David Borger
- 12:30 pm - 12:40 am
Keynote Address
Mark Morey, Secretary, Unions NSW
- 12:40 pm - 12:50 pm
Keynote Address
Steve Mann, Chief Strategy Officer, Freecity
- 12:50 pm - 1:15 pm
PANEL: Modern Methods of Construction
Leanne Boyle, Head of Development, Built Alexander Wendler, CEO, Landcom Steve Mann, Chief Strategy Officer, Freecity Brad Pigeon, State Secretary, Australian Manufacturing Workers Union Moderator: David Borger, Executive Director, Business Western Sydney
- 1:15 pm - 1:25 pm
Keynote Address
Dincel Representative
- 1:25 pm - 2:00 pm
LUNCH & NETWORKING
- 2:00 pm - 2:10 pm
Confronting the Housing Crisis: A Response to National Homelessness Week
Suzanne Hopman, CEO, Homelessness Charity Dignity
- 2:10 pm - 2:20 pm
The Hon. Rose Jackson MLC
Minister for Water, Minister for Housing, Minister for Homelessness, Minister for Mental Health, and Minister for Youth
- 2:20 pm - 2:40 pm
PANEL: Housing for Those Who Need it Most
The Hon. Rose Jackson MLC, Minister for Water, Minister for Housing, Minister for Homelessness, Minister for Mental Health, and Minister for Youth Lyall Gorman, Group CEO, Evolve Housing Rob Stokes, Chair, Faith Housing Moderator: David Borger, Executive Director, Business Western Sydney
- 2:40 pm - 2:50 pm
Keynote Address
Dr Alison Roberts, Commissioner, Productivity Commission
- 2:50 pm - 2:55 pm
Vote of Thanks
Melissa Neighbour, Director, Sky Planning and Housing Now! Event MC
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