Unlocking Growth, Affordability and Community in
Australia’s Land Lease Living Market
7 May 2026 | Doltone House Darling Island, Sydney
Australia’s Land Lease Living Market
7 May 2026 | Doltone House Darling Island, Sydney
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
Next Generation Living Advisor, NED | Founding Chair, Charter Hall / Evolve Housing | UDIA LLC NSW
Simon Owen
CEO & MD, Eureka Group Holdings
Paul Yeo
CEO, Lincoln Place
Lee Tredwell
Senior Director, Head of Australia, Invesco Real Estate
Tao Bourton
CEO, Everland Communities
Jonathon Steggles Mendez
Founder & Managing Director, Vivacity Property
Stuart Strong
Joint Managing Director, Hometown Australia Communities
Andrea Richards
CEO, Liven Communties
Sabrina Gatto
QLD Development Manager, AVID
Natalie Kwok
COO, Vivacity Property
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, Next Generation Living Advisor, NED | Founding Chair, Charter Hall / Evolve Housing | UDIA LLC NSW
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
Jonathon Steggles Mendez, Founder & Managing Director, Vivacity Property
Moderated by:
Kate Melrose, Next Generation Living Advisor, NED | Founding Chair, Charter Hall / Evolve Housing | UDIA LLC NSW
10:20
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 Group
10:40
Morning tea & networking break
UNLOCKING CAPITAL - VIABILITY AND SCALABILITY
11:20
PRESENTATION | Backing the Land Lease thesis: Inside Mirvac’s investment strategy, examining the fundamentals and why institutional capital is leaning into land lease
As institutional interest in land lease accelerates, understanding the investment logic behind early capital deployment is critical. In this session, Stephen Gould, GM of Living Sectors Investment at Mirvac, will unpack the strategic drivers behind Mirvac’s investment in Serenitas, what fundamentally attracted the group to the land lease model, and how customer outcomes sit at the centre of long-term value creation. The discussion will provide a candid institutional lens on risk, return and resident experience as the sector matures.
Key discussion points:
- The Serenitas decision: What made the investment compelling and how Mirvac assessed the risk, scale and growth potential
- Sector conviction: The structural fundamentals that positioned land lease as an attractive living sector allocation
- Underwriting the customer: How resident affordability, lifestyle and community outcomes support durable income and growth
- Looking forward: What do institutional investors need to see next for land lease to reach its full portfolio scale potential?
Stephen Gould, General Manager, Living Sectors (Land Lease & BTR) Investment, Mirvac
11:40
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
Lee Tredwell, Senior Director, Head of Australia, Invesco Real Estate
Moderated by:
Tony Massaro, Partner, Real Estate, KordaMentha
12:15
FIRESIDE CHAT 1 | 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
Brad Couper, Managing Director, MA Financial
12:35
FIRESIDE CHAT 2 | Examining the business case for vertical land lease development in Australia
Vertical land lease development represents the next evolution of Australia’s land lease housing model, responding to land scarcity, affordability pressures, and growing urban density – subject to regulatory approval. By combining the financial accessibility of land lease with medium-density, apartment-style living, vertical models can unlock new sites, broaden resident choice, and deliver scalable housing solutions closer to jobs, transport, and services.
Key drivers and opportunities include:
- Unlocking scarce urban land by enabling land lease communities in infill and metropolitan locations where traditional horizontal models are no longer viable
- Improving affordability and access through lower entry price points while retaining the core land lease value proposition
- Responding to demographic demand, particularly downsizers and retirees seeking low-maintenance, well-located, community-oriented living near major services
- Enhancing scalability and investor appeal by increasing yield per site and aligning land lease with modern planning, density, and sustainability objectives
- An opportunity for policy and planning frameworks to evolve alongside this next generation of land lease, ensuring legislation reflects how Australians increasingly want to live in well-located, community-based housing
Jonathon Steggles Mendez, Founder & Managing Director, Vivacity Property
Natalie Kwok, COO, Vivacity Property
12:50
Networking lunch
DEVELOPMENT & INNOVATION
14:00
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 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 Land Lease design
Phillip Nielsen, General Manager Architecture & Design, GemLife
Roundtable 3: Planning for delivery: A solutions focused approach to Land Lease
Facilitated by: Charles Kekovich, Director – Greater Western Sydney, Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA)
Roundtable 4: Investment: Unlocking capital to scale land lease communities while balancing risk and returns across the various different operating models
Facilitated by: Tony Massaro, Partner, Investment Management, KordaMentha Real Estate
Roundtable 5:Optimising supply–demand dynamics to maximise profitability when developing new land lease communities
Facilitated by: Paul Riga, Partner, Urbis
Roundtable 6: Finding the right sites and building viable communities in a high-cost market
Facilitated by: Susan Duffy, Founder & Director, Channel
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
Roundtable 9: Operations: Creating long-term value propositions for residents at lower cost
Facilitators include:
Andrew Bodiam, Acquisition Manager, Vivacity Property
Phillip Nielsen, General Manager Architecture & Design, GemLife
Charles Kekovich, Director - Greater Western Sydney, Urban Development Institute of Australia
Paul Riga, Partner, Urbis
Susan Duffy, Founder & Director, Channel Group
14:40
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
Matt Fedrick, General Manager – Development, Millbray
Andrew Kardash, Planning Manager – Halcyon Communities, Stockland
Moderated by:
Susan Duffy, Founder & Director, Channel Group
15:20
Afternoon tea & networking break
RESIDENT EXPERIENCE, DESIGN & OPERATIONS
16:20
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
16:25
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:
Dan Smith, CEO of Communities, GemLife
Liam Greentree, Director, CBRE
Andrea Richards, CEO, Liven Communties
Moderated by:
Gillian Moore, General Manager - Member Support Services, Land Lease Living Industry Association of NSW
17:00
Networking drinks reception
18:00
Summit close
20 SEATS REMAIN
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$1595 + GST
One-day Summit ticket
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Access to all conference sessions
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Session recordings and presentation slides
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Access to interactive round table and networking sessions
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.
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
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Venue
Doltone House Darling Island
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Address
48 Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont NSW 2009
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