Where are Australia's real estate developers focused - the developer's dilemma!

Join the AICC's 28th Annual Australian Property Lunch to hear from a panel of experts exploring today’s development mix—from build-to-rent and co-living to logistics, health hubs, and the newest digital infrastructure.

Australia’s deep-rooted focus on residential property is evolving. As technology, lifestyle shifts, and chronic housing shortages reshape demand, developers are exploring broader asset classes offering better returns. Despite predictions of rate cuts and easing inflation supporting residential activity, high construction costs, labour shortages, and complex regulations are driving innovation across new asset types and living models.

On the commercial front, growth is being driven by government-incentivised precinct developments in health, life sciences, and mixed-use conversions. Tech-led trends like data centres and AI infrastructure are redefining the real estate investment landscape.

Don’t miss this opportunity to understand the key market drivers and relative return, growth, and value prospects of emerging development alternatives in 2025 and beyond.

OUR GUEST PANEL SPEAKERS

Trevor Loewensohn has over 30 years of investment banking experience, mostly for leading global investment banks, including Vice Chairman at UBS, after moving from Head of Investment Banking and Joint CEO at JP Morgan.

Trevor has advised many leading global and Australian companies on mergers and acquisitions, disposals, capital raisings, and corporate and financial strategy.

Prior to founding Alceon, Trevor was the Global Head of Capital Markets at Babcock & Brown, where he established a global capital raising and advisory capability. Following the impact of the Global Financial Crisis, Trevor led Babcock & Brown’s asset sale programme, successfully completing the sale of more than 20 major funds, companies, and assets.

Trevor holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of NSW, is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, and a Fellow of the Securities Institute of Australia.

Anouk Darling is recognised as one of Australia’s leading brand builders from the creation of Jetstar and Scentre Group to the rebranding of Westpac, and Westfield, to name a few. Her career has allowed her to work around the world, a global outlook she still carries today. 

With a robust background in strategic marketing, retail, and private equity, Anouk was appointed as Scape’s CEO in July 2020 following a consulting role to lead out the integration of the $2.2b acquisition of Urbanest and the subsequent rebranding to Scape.  

In an effort to raise awareness of the Purpose-Built Student Accommodation sector and better the student experiences in Australia, Anouk has been leading the charge as the Chair of the Student Accommodation Council, a subdivision of the Property Council of Australia. She is also appointed as an Expert Advisor for the Minister of Education in the Council for International Education and sits as a board member of the Property Council of Australia. Her impact, vision, and dedication to the industry has also been recognised by The CEO Magazine where she was named the 2024 CEO of the Year in the Property Development and Real Estate category.

Anouk is also is a non-executive director on two boards: ASX-listed Enero Group (ASX: EGG) – a digitally centered global marketing services group and Australia’s largest regional accommodation provider, GDay Group, owned by Australian Retirement Trust (ART). 

Phil Rowland leads CBRE’s Advisory businesses in Australia and New Zealand, with overall responsibility for Leasing, Property Management, Capital Markets, and Valuations & Advisory. Prior to this position, Phil was the Asia Pacific CEO of CBRE’s Global Workplace Solutions corporate outsourcing business, overseeing six regional hubs and five lines of business, serving clients across a broad spectrum of industry sectors. 

Phil has been advising US, European and Asian clients on a range of real estate issues for over 25 years through positions held in Asia, the United States and the United Kingdom. 

Prior to joining CBRE, Phil served with Ernst & Young, Real Estate Advisory Services in New York and London, where he specialised in real estate strategic planning and operational performance improvement for multinational corporate clients. Phil originally hails from New Zealand where he first joined Ernst & Young (NZ) Real Estate Consulting Group. Prior to joining Ernst & Young, Phil represented the New Zealand government on real estate-related issues.  Phil completed a Bachelor of Commerce (Valuation and Property Management) in 1992 from Lincoln University, New Zealand. 

Phil is a member of the Board of Directors of the Property Council of Australia member of the Property Champions of Change, a group he convened for two years ending June 2025. Phil is also a Board Member of the Westmead Institute for Medical Research Foundation (WIMR) and is Chair of the WIMR Foundation Board.

Deborah Kelly is a senior executive in real assets and investment strategy, with two decades of experience shaping major capital programs and building investment platforms across infrastructure, property, and alternative asset classes. She is currently Investment Director, Real Assets at AustralianSuper, where she leads the development and deployment of the fund's multi-billion dollar affordable and social housing strategy and drives operating model reform across a A$70 billion portfolio.  Prior to AustralianSuper, Deborah held leadership roles in ASX-listed companies, government precinct authorities, and a global investment firm. 

Deborah is a Non-Executive Director of Assemble Communities and Bronte Surf Life Saving Club. She is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants ANZ, a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and a frequent contributor to policy and industry forums.

Robert Harley has reported on Australian property for almost 40 years. He started in 1984 and in 1988 joined the Australian Financial Review, leading the coverage as Property Editor. Now, as a contributor, he writes a well-read column every two weeks. This is his fourth office property downturn.