About the Event

Australia’s housing market is being reshaped by population growth, affordability pressures, rising delivery costs and an ageing demographic. As traditional home ownership becomes less attainable, land lease living has emerged as a scalable, mainstream housing model—offering high-quality, low-maintenance homes in well-located, lifestyle-led communities.

Institutional capital is now accelerating the sector’s growth, with super funds and long-term investors backing larger, master-planned communities and lifting standards across design, operations and resident experience. Governments are also increasingly recognising land lease as part of the national housing solution—supporting supply, unlocking family homes and enabling ageing in place.

The Land Lease Communities Summit comes at a critical moment for the sector. As policy settings evolve, competition intensifies and investor scrutiny increases, success will depend on collaboration across planning, capital, development, construction, operations, energy, services and community engagement. The Summit will bring together the full land lease ecosystem—developers, operators, investors, policymakers, financiers, advisors and solution providers—to share insights, test assumptions and align on best practice.

Summit will start in...

Meet Our Speakers

Kate Melrose

Chair, UDIA NSW Land Lease Committee

Simon Owen

CEO & MD, Eureka Group Holdings

Paul Yeo

CEO, Lincoln Place

Tao Bourton

CEO, Everland Communities

Natalie Kwok

COO, Vivacity Property

Stuart Strong

Joint Managing Director, Hometown Australia Communities

Sabrina Gatto

QLD Development Manager, AVID

Shannon Skow

Head of Policy & Engagement, Land Lease Living Industry Association of NSW

Manuel Lang

Chief Corporate Officer, GemLife

Tom McDonald

Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Springtree

Key Opportunities Being Explored

Solving Housing Supply and Affordability—Now

Land lease communities are increasingly recognised as a practical response to Australia’s housing shortage. By enabling older Australians to downsize, the model helps unlock established family homes back into the market while delivering more affordable, fit-for-purpose housing. The Summit will explore how land lease can play a larger, recognised role in easing supply pressure—if policy, planning and capital settings are aligned.

Capturing Long-Term Demand from an Ageing Population

Australia’s demographic tailwinds are clear. As the over-50s population expands, demand for downsizing and lifestyle-led communities will continue to grow. Attendees will gain insight into where demand is heading, what today’s residents expect, and how to design and operate communities that remain competitive and resilient over the long term.

Unlocking Institutional Capital and Scalable Growth

Land lease is attracting growing interest from super funds, REITs and long-term investors seeking stable, recurring income and lower risk exposure. The Summit will unpack how institutional capital is shaping the sector—what investors are looking for, how deals are being structured, and what developers and operators must do to access and scale with confidence.

A Compelling Alternative to Traditional Retirement Living

With no deferred management fees and greater flexibility for residents, land lease communities are redefining retirement and downsizing living. Resort-style amenities, strong community connection and modern homes are expanding appeal beyond traditional retirees. Sessions will examine how leading operators are differentiating their product and broadening their customer base.

Policy Recognition and Integration into National Housing Strategy

Momentum is building to formally recognise land lease communities within state and national housing frameworks. If counted toward housing targets and supported through planning and regulatory reform, the sector could scale more rapidly. The Summit will explore what policy support could look like—and how industry can engage constructively with government to accelerate delivery.

Who Attends

The Land Lease Communities Summit brings together senior leaders representing:

Developers

Head of Development, CEO, Project Director, Development Manager

Investors

Head of Investment, Portfolio Manager, CIO, Fund Manager

Operators

General Manager, Head of Operations, COO, Head of Leasing & Community

Government

Director of Policy, Deputy Secretary, Head of Partnerships, Housing Director

Debt & Equity Capital Providers & Intermediaries

Head of Real Estate Finance, MD, Capital Markets Director, Principal

Banks

Real Estate Finance Manager, Sector Lead, Relationship Director, Risk Manager

Commonwealth & State Treasury

Policy Director, Program Lead, Treasury Analyst

Super Funds

Head of Property, Portfolio Manager, CIO, Investment Analyst

Construction Companies

Construction Director, Project Manager, Head of Delivery, Design Manager

State Planning Authorities

State Planner, Director of Planning Strategy, Housing & Growth Manager

Housing Associations

CEO, Policy Director, Housing Strategy Lead

Local Councils

Urban Planner, Affordable Housing Lead, Community Engagement Manager

Architects & Designers

Director of Urban Design, Principal Architect, Design Lead

Property Advisers - Consultants & Contractors

Valuer, Head of Research, Director - Living Sectors, Capital Advisory Lead

Property Lawyers

Partner, Head of Real Estate Law, Property Transaction Specialist

Leasing & Marketing Specialists

Head of Leasing, Marketing Director, Tenant Engagement Lead

Contractors & Engineers

Director of Engineering, Lead Consultant, Design & Build Manager

Legal Firms

Senior Partner, Legal Counsel - Property, Housing Sector Legal Lead

Technology Companies

PropTech Product Manager, Innovation Lead, Head of Digital Delivery

EVENT THEMES

The Land Lease Summit will bring together senior leaders to discuss the following topics:

Investment & Capital Flows

How institutional investors are repositioning land lease as a stable, inflation-hedged income play.

Planning, Design & Delivery

Overcoming zoning, infrastructure and construction barriers to accelerate project viability.

The Role of Sustainability & ESG in Life Science Real Estate

Understanding what modern residents value — community, design, affordability, and sustainability.

Operational Excellence

Harnessing data, technology, and ESG frameworks to drive retention and long-term profitability.

Partnerships for Scale

Exploring JV models, financing mechanisms, and infrastructure integration to expand faster.

Why Attend

Agenda

Thursday | 7th May 2026

08:30

Registration & networking coffee

09:00

Welcome address

09:05

Chair’s opening address

Kate Melrose, Chair, UDIA NSW Land Lease Committee

MARKET DYNAMICS & INVESTMENT OUTLOOK

09:15

SPECIAL ADDRESS | Australia’s housing reset and the rise of land lease living

Australia’s housing system is at an inflection point. Rapid population growth, demographic change and sustained affordability pressure are forcing a rethink of how housing is delivered and who it is designed for. This keynote examines why land lease communities are gaining momentum as a scalable, flexible and community-led housing solution—and how their role within Australia’s housing system is evolving.

The session will unpack how policy settings, capital flows and shifting consumer preferences are reshaping the land lease sector and positioning it as an increasingly important contributor to housing supply and choice.

Key themes include:

  • Demographic demand: How downsizing baby boomers and value-driven buyers are broadening demand for land lease living
  • Affordability and equity: Why land lease is emerging as a viable alternative amid record house prices and rental stress—and what this means for investment and development
  • Policy and planning: How federal and state reforms are influencing zoning, infrastructure delivery and future housing pipelines
Hari Hara Priya Kannan, Chief Data Scientist, The Demographics Group
09:40

LAND LEASE LEADERS PANEL | From niche to core – Land lease as an institutional-grade asset class

Land lease communities have moved beyond niche status to become a credible, income-focused living sector asset class. Backed by resilient cashflows, strong demographic demand and growing policy recognition, the model is attracting increasing interest from institutional and private capital seeking long-term, defensive returns with social impact.

This session examines why land lease is earning its place alongside other core living sectors, how investors are underwriting risk and growth today, and what the next phase of maturity means for capital deployment, valuations and deal flow.

Key themes include:

  • Investment fundamentals: How yield stability, occupancy resilience and inflation-linked income are driving risk-adjusted returns
  • Capital positioning: How super funds, REITs and private equity are approaching land lease and what they need to see to scale
  • Policy, planning and regulation: How government settings are shaping land availability, financing and development feasibility – and where reform could unlock further growth
  • Outlook to 2026+: What demand, regulation and demographics signal for valuations, transactions and portfolio expansion
Panellists include:
Manuel Lang, Chief Corporate Officer, GemLife
Paul Yeo, CEO, Lincoln Place
Stuart Strong, Joint Managing Director, Hometown Australia Communities
Moderated by:
Kate Melrose, Chair, UDIA NSW Land Lease Committee
10:15

FIRESIDE CHAT | From underdog to industry leader: Examining the strategic journey and phenomenal growth behind Ingenia Communities

In this fireside chat, Simon Owen — CEO & Managing Director of Eureka Group Holdings and former long-serving CEO of Ingenia Communities Group shares an insider’s account of Ingenia’s transformation from a fragmented portfolio into one of Australia’s leading diversified living-sector platforms.

Drawing on more than a decade of leadership across land lease, seniors living and lifestyle communities, Owen unpacks the strategic decisions, capital partnerships and cultural reset that underpinned the company’s growth, offering practical lessons in disciplined execution, customer-led design and building an institutional-grade asset class.

Simon Owen, CEO & MD, Eureka Group Holdings
Susan Duffy, Founder & Director, Channel Marketing Group
10:35

Morning tea & networking break

UNLOCKING VIABILITY AND SCALABILITY

11:15

INTERACTIVE ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS

Join fast-paced, interactive roundtables designed to connect you with peers facing the same challenges and opportunities. These facilitated discussions cut through theory to focus on the issues shaping the sector right now, giving you practical insights, fresh perspectives and ideas you can take straight back to your business.

Roundtable 1: Land acquisition, planning and regulations: Navigating the complex and very important piece of the Land Lease sector

Facilitated by: Andrew Bodiam, Acquisition Manager, Vivacity Property

 

Roundtable 2: Achieving excellence in design

Phillip Nielsen, General Manager Architecture & Design, GemLife

 

Roundtable 3: Operations: Creating long-term value propositions for residents at lower cost

 

Roundtable 4: Investment: Balancing risk and returns across Land Lease models

 

Roundtable 5: Embedded Networks: Utilising digital communication technologies for a connected and enhanced resident experience

 

Roundtable 6: Utilising solar and batteries to keep costs down and encourage sustainability

 

Roundtable 7: Managing rising construction costs and workforce constraints

 

Roundtable 8: Modern Methods of Construction: Examining how Modular and Offsite are transforming how we build

Facilitators include:
Andrew Bodiam, Acquisition Manager, Vivacity Property
Phillip Nielsen, General Manager Architecture & Design, GemLife
11:50

INVESTMENT & CAPITAL MARKETS PANEL | Unlocking capital to scale land lease communities

As capital tightens and housing demand accelerates, new financing and partnership models are reshaping how land lease communities are funded and scaled. This session examines how developers, investors and operators are structuring smarter capital strategies, joint ventures and operating models to drive sustainable growth and attract long-term investment.

Key themes:

  • Land lease risk-return profiles vs other living sectors
  • Site acquisition and land sourcing strategies
  • Joint ventures and partnership models
  • Fund-to-operate approaches
  • Attracting institutional capital while managing policy and market risk
Panellists include:
Sam Bates, Executive Director, Morgan Stanley
Joe Williams, Senior Vice President – Real Estate Private Equity, Brookfield Asset Management
Justin Ayre, Division Director, Real Estate, Macquarie Asset Management
Tom McDonald, Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Springtree
Moderated by:
Benjamin Martin-Henry, Head of Private Assets Research – Pacific, MSCI
12:20

FIRESIDE CHAT | The Business of Belonging: Capital’s Role in Land Lease Communities

In this session we hear an insider’s view of how different capital models influence not just returns, but communities, leadership and long-term value in land lease living.

Key points:

  • Land lease as both real estate and social infrastructure
  • Family capital vs private equity vs public markets
  • Aligning growth, governance and community trust
  • Building resilient platforms for the future
  • Capital contribution to sustainable growth
Manuel Lang, Chief Corporate Officer, GemLife
12:40

Networking lunch

DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION

13:40

Reserved for Partner

14:00

DEVELOPER INSIGHTS PANEL | Finding the right sites and building viable communities in a high-cost market

Rising land prices, planning complexity and construction cost escalation are putting pressure on land lease project viability. This session brings together leading developers and operators to share practical strategies for securing the right sites, navigating approvals and delivering communities efficiently in an increasingly competitive market.

Key themes include:

  • Site selection and demand: Using customer demographics, pricing sensitivity and catchment data to guide site acquisition and product mix
  • Planning and approvals: Navigating zoning, regulation and infrastructure constraints to accelerate delivery
  • Construction efficiency: Managing post-COVID cost escalation through modular, offsite and smarter design approaches
  • Delivery capability: Securing the right architects, contractors and partners—particularly in regional markets
  • Infrastructure alignment: Coordinating energy, water, transport and communications to support scalable growth
  • Sales-led development: How sales and marketing insights are shaping what, where and how developers build
Panellists include:
David Laing, Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Springtree
Suzanne Jensen, General Manager – Development, Palm Lake Group
Matt Fedrick, General Manager – Development, Millbray
Moderated by:
Michael Imbesi, Land Lease Communities Specialist & Director, ImbecoGroup
14:30

INNOVATION SPOTLIGHT | Powering the next generation of land lease communities

Fast, high-impact and future-focused, this Innovation Spotlight features four rapid-fire case studies followed by a sharp panel discussion showcasing how leading developers and partners are redefining land lease communities. From on-site renewables and EV charging to smart mobility, embedded networks and shared amenities, the session explores how integrated infrastructure and digital innovation are enhancing resident experience, improving resilience and lifting long-term asset value.

Attendees will gain practical insight into what’s being deployed today, what’s delivering real returns, and how to design communities that are more connected, sustainable and investment-ready.

  • Renewable integration: Harnessing solar, battery storage, and microgrid models to lower costs and carbon footprints
  • Smart mobility: Planning for EV readiness, car-sharing, and walkable design in new and existing communities
  • Social infrastructure: Embedding community hubs, wellness spaces, and active transport links to enhance liveability
  • Scalable innovation: Leveraging technology and partnerships to future-proof developments and attract institutional capital
15:10

Afternoon tea & networking break

RESIDENT EXPERIENCE, DESIGN & OPERATIONS

15:40

RESIDENT EXPERIENCE PANEL | Designing for lifestyle, longevity and choice

Land lease residents are evolving. Today’s buyers are more diverse, value-driven and lifestyle-focused, with rising expectations around design, amenities, affordability and community connection. This session explores how resident needs are shifting—from downsizers to active retirees—and how leading operators are responding with smarter design, flexible offerings and communities built for long-term living.

  • Changing buyer profiles: How shifting demographics are influencing design preferences, pricing, and community layouts
  • Lifestyle-led design: Creating spaces that foster wellness, connection, and active living for modern retirees and families
  • Affordability meets aspirations: Balancing value with premium amenity expectations, sustainable design principles and costs
  • Greater choice and flexibility: The rise of hybrid, multigenerational and intergenerational models that offer residents a greater autonomy and diversity of living options within a single community
  • Designing for whole of life: From club house and amenities through to operational efficiency by designing and building today, for 10-20 years’ time
Panellists include:
Tao Bourton, CEO, Everland Communities
Sabrina Gatto, QLD Development Manager, AVID
Angus Johnson, Executive General Manager – Development, Lincoln Place
Moderated by:
Shannon Skow, Head of Policy & Engagement, Land Lease Living Industry Association of NSW
16:10

OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE PANEL | Delivering great resident experiences at scale

Operational excellence is now the key differentiator in land lease living. As communities grow, leading operators are using smarter systems, data and asset management to lift resident experience while protecting long-term value. This session explores how strong operations translate directly into higher retention, better performance and sustainable profitability.

Key themes include:

  • Asset and maintenance optimisation: Using predictive maintenance and lifecycle planning to improve reliability and control costs
  • Sustainability in operations: Embedding efficient, compliant and future-ready practices across communities
  • Digital operations: Leveraging technology and data to streamline service delivery and resident communication
  • Community and retention: Building trust, belonging and loyalty through transparent, resident-focused management
  • Health and wellbeing: Designing programs and spaces that keep residents active
Panellists include:
Natalie Kwok, COO, Vivacity Property
Dan Smith, CEO of Communities, GemLife
Holly Brennan, , Head of Sales and Marketing, Serenitas
Moderated by:
Gillian Moore, General Manager - Member Support Services, Land Lease Living Industry Association of NSW

LOCKNOTE CASE STUDIES

16:40

CASE STUDY: Pelican Waters Resort - the next level of land lease living in Australia

Pelican Waters Resort is a flagship example of how land lease living is being reimagined at the premium end of the market. Developed by Palm Lake Group, the community blends true resort-style living with the operational efficiency of a master-planned land lease model.

Built around championship golf, wellness and aquatic facilities, dining and high-end design, this case study explores Palm Lake’s shift toward hospitality-led placemaking—where lifestyle, amenity and long-term resident wellbeing drive differentiation, demand and value beyond the traditional land lease playbook.

Suzanne Jensen, General Manager – Development, Palm Lake Group
16:50

CASE STUDY

17:00

Networking drinks reception

18:00

Close of Summit

SUPER EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT ENDS 20th FEBRUARY

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$995 + GST

One-day Summit ticket
  • Access to all conference sessions

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  • Access to interactive round table and networking sessions

Register Online

2026

Partners

Who Should Partner

Organisations that are involved in providing products, services or solutions in the following categories would benefit from being involved:

  • Real Estate Advisory/Capital Markets
  • Modular/Manufactured Home Suppliers
  • Planning & Design
  • Engineering and Construction
  • Finance Providers
  • Investment Management Firms
  • Legal Firms
  • Digital community-management / resident engagement platforms
  • Amenity & wellness-services providers
  • Sustainability / energy-efficiency providers
  • Resale specialists
  • Land-assembly / master-planning advisory

Why Become A Partner?

The Land Lease Communities Summit presents unique annual opportunities across a number of channels, all designed to deliver business development and leadership opportunities.

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Thought Leadership Presentations

Establish pre-eminence amongst your peers

Branding And Signage

Multiple opportunities exist before, during and after the event

Roundtable Hosting

Lead a roundtable of industry professionals in this powerful, interactive format

Networking

Impress the world with your team and hospitality

Lead Generation

New business opportunities from a highly targeted audience

Showcase

The exhibition is the place to showcase and build new business connections

Get Directions to the Event

  • Venue

    Doltone House Darling Island

  • Address

    48 Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont NSW 2009

  • Get Directions
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