The Development Drum

Interview with Sarah Macoun from Hopgood Ganim | S3Ep9

In this episode of the Development Drum, Kirsty sat down with Sarah Macoun, one of our very own board members and a leading environment and heritage, and planning and development lawyer in Queensland. Sarah generously shares her thoughts on the multitude of issues that face the market, and why the process of change is still one of the biggest challenges within the community. Links from this episode:  Legal and Advisory Expertise | HopgoodGanim LawyersAbout your host: Kirsty Chessher-Brown is the CEO of UDIA Queensland.About Sarah: Sarah Macoun is a Planning and Environment lawyer providing front end advisory services, including project scoping, strategic planning advice, and due diligence, through to representing stakeholders in planning and environment litigation and assisting clients with environmental compliance. She has a particular interest in the ever-changing environmental offsets framework.Sarah is Board Secretary for the Urban Development Institute of Australia (Queensland) and is Chair of both the UDIA’s Planning and Environment Committee and Chair of the National UDIA EnviroDevelopment Board.Sarah is recognised by Doyle’s Guide as a Leading Environment & Heritage Lawyers, Queensland, 2022 and Planning & Development Lawyer, Queensland, 2020-2022. Most recently, Sarah was included in The Best Lawyers in Australia 2020–2023 editions for Land Use and Zoning Law and Planning and Environmental Law.Produced By The Podcast Boss

Interview with Paul Melville & Bevan Geissmann | S3Ep8

In this episode of the Development Drum, we talk to Paul Melville & Bevan Geissmann from Larst Pty Ltd / Halcyon. They discuss what prompted them to identify senior housing as a business opportunity and share the critical ingredients to Halycon’s success.About your host: Kirsty Chessher-Brown is the CEO of UDIA Queensland.About Paul and Bevan: Kirsty is joined by Paul Melville and Bevan Geissmann, two joint managing directors of Larst Pty Ltd / Halcyon who share a passion for housing development for seniors. Paul and Bevan share behind-the-scenes stories that led to their success, from when they first recognised a business opportunity to the hurdles they faced along the way. Throw in the GFC and COVID – how did they navigate the challenge? Produced By The Podcast Boss

Interview with Debra Robinson | S3Ep7

In this episode Kirsty interviews Debra Robinson – a group executive at Sunshine Coast Regional Council. Deb has had an astonishing career, and it’s a delight to hear her explain her role, her goals, and her pivotal moments across her time in town planning, and the building and construction industry. She also explains the challenges the council faces along with the value of her long-standing association with UDIA Queensland.About your host: Kirsty Chessher-Brown is the CEO of UDIA Queensland.About Deb. She has held senior management positions in both the public and private sectors since 2000, most notably as both a Town Planner and Development Manager in the Building and Construction industry.Debra has formal town planning qualifications, holds a Master of Business Administration, is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and in 2006 she was awarded the Outstanding Business Woman of the Year by the Sunshine Coast Business Women’s Network. Debra is also a current Board member of the Sunshine Coast Falcons Rugby League Club.Finally, Debra is a Sunshine Coast local, passionate about the region and leading and contributing to the creation of a strong and diverse economy whilst ensuring sustainable growth and the retention of the enviable lifestyle that all residents and visitors to the area can continue to enjoy into the future.Produced By The Podcast Boss

Interview with Raynuha Sinnathamby | S3Ep6

In this episode of the Development Drum, we talk to Raynuha Sinnathamby identifying some lessons from Springfield that can be used to inform a better and more integrated approach to masterplanning, growth, and delivery.Links from this episode:  Springfield City Group (amgc.org.au)About your host: Kirsty Chessher-Brown is the CEO of UDIA Queensland.About Raynuha: Raynuha Sinnathamby is Springfield City Group’s Managing Director. A solicitor by trade, Raynuha holds Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Law degrees and also a Masters of Business Administration.In February 2013, Raynuha was appointed Managing Director of the Springfield City Group.  Over the years, Raynuha has been closely involved in the building of Greater Springfield City, now the fourth fastest-growing statistical local area in the country.In 2018, Raynuha received the University of Queensland Vice-Chancellor's Alumni Excellence Award for her role in promoting the role of women in the property industry.  Raynuha has also served on the Leadership Council for Cultural Diversity and the Premiers Business Advisory Council.  She currently serves on the Committee for Brisbane Advisory Council and the USQ Business Advisory Council. In her spare time, Raynuha participates in triathlons and enjoys travelling.Produced By The Podcast Boss

Interview with Beth Toon from Place Design Group | S3Ep5

In this episode of the Development Drum, we talk to Beth Toon who shares the challenges she faced in navigating the business through COVID-related changes across multiple countries and states. Beth also tells us how she manages to stay connected to a large team of multidisciplinary and technical experts.Links from this episode:  Home - Place Design GroupAbout your host: Kirsty Chessher-Brown is the CEO of UDIA Queensland.About Beth: Beth Toon is the Chief Executive Officer for Place Design Group, leading Place Design Group into its next phase, with a commitment to long-term growth and success. She has had more than 20 years’ experience across a broad variety of sectors. Prior to becoming Place’s CEO in 2019, Beth successes include co-founding a strategic marketing and public relations firm in 2009 where she led a range of project-based services across the corporate, not-for-profit, property, hospitality, fashion, and lifestyle sectors for renowned brands. This breadth of experience combined with her exceptional communications skills has enabled her to apply a fresh approach to the planning and design realm. Produced By The Podcast Boss

Interview with Scott Ullman from Frasers Property Australia. | S3Ep4

In this episode of the Development Drum, we talk to Scott Ullman about the focus on people and culture at Frasers. Scott also compares his experience as General Manager with his previous role as Development Director.Links from this episode:  Property Developer in Australia | Frasers PropertyAbout your host: Kirsty Chessher-Brown is the CEO of UDIA Queensland.About Scott: Scott Ullman is the Queensland General Manager at Frasers Property Australia. Scott joined Frasers Property Australia in 2007 and oversees the acquisition and development of apartment, mixed use, townhouse, and land communities which have an end value of in excess of $2 Billion.Scott has almost years of experience in the residential property sector.  Prior to joining Frasers, Scott was a consulting engineer and project manager working on numerous property and infrastructure projects throughout Queensland.Scott holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil, Hon).  Produced By The Podcast Boss

Interview with Mike Hurley from Aria Property Group | S3Ep3

In this episode of the Development Drum, we talk to Mike Hurley about the rewards and challenges he has found in the property industry plus his vision for property in Queensland.Links from this episode:  Aria Property GroupAbout your host: Kirsty Chessher-Brown is the CEO of UDIA Queensland.About Mike: Mike Hurley is one of the founders of ARIA and has been responsible for driving and running the residential development division of the company for the past decade. This includes 4 UDIA National award-winning High-Rise Developments: The Standard, Oxley & Stirling, The Melbourne Residences, and Botanica.Over the last 10 years, Michael has been responsible for developing and delivering over 2,000 residential units across 15 projects valued at over $1.4billion. Michael is a member of the UDIA Brisbane City Council policy committee, and is a Business South Bank board member.When not at work you can find Mike chasing around his two extremely energetic young kids, training for his next Ultra Marathon, or planning his next family adventure.        Produced By The Podcast Boss

Interview with Michael McNab from McNab Construction and Development Group. | S3Ep2

In this episode of the Development Drum, we talk to Michael McNab about his long standing association with the UDIA Queensland and the importance he places on growing, developing and supporting people in a team with over 300 people across South East Queensland.Links from this episode:  McNabAbout your host: Kirsty Chessher-Brown is the CEO of UDIA Queensland.About Michael: Michael McNab is the Managing Director and founder of Queensland construction and development group McNab, now one of Queensland’s largest privately owned companies. Michael is also a Director of UDIA Queensland. McNab currently has 500 staff across South East Queensland, and has built a reputation for providing certainty, in uncertain or fluctuating markets.Produced By The Podcast Boss

Interview with Brook Monahan from Mosaic Property Group. | S3Ep1

In this episode of the Development Drum, we talk to Brook Monahan about his decision to move from Agribusiness to property, and the successes and challenges he has experienced in the industry. He shares his approach to leading teams and community engagement.Links from this episode:  Mosaic (mosaicproperty.com.au)About your host: Kirsty Chessher-Brown is the CEO of UDIA Queensland.About Brook: Brook Monahan brings a wealth of knowledge as Founder and Managing Director of Mosaic Property Group, one of Queensland's most awarded and respected property developers. Mosaic's unique, fully-integrated business model, sees it control every aspect of the development and delivery process, from research, site acquisition, design, marketing, sales, and construction, to property and asset management and caretaking long after completion. Numbering over 60 completed developments since 2014, Mosaic has a further $1.5billion of residential and mixed-use projects set to be delivered across South East Queensland within the next five years. And with over 185 team members and 2,000 consultants and sub-contractors, Mosaic is a significant employer and contributor to Queensland's economy.Brook is also the Director and Co-Founder of the Mosaic Foundation, which supports local grassroots organisations in making a genuine difference to society's most vulnerable, including the homeless, sick, and disadvantaged children.Produced By The Podcast Boss

Interview with Warwick Bible from Mirvac | S2Ep10

In this episode of the Development Drum, we talk to Warwick Bible from Mirvac about his background in property and development, the importance of the work that the UDIA Queensland performs, and his proudest achievements as President of the UDIA Queensland.Links from this episode: https://www.mirvac.com/ https://www.udiaqld.com.au/ About your host: Kirsty Chessher-Brown is the CEO of UDIA Queensland.About Warwick: Warwick is the General Manager of Mirvac QLD and is responsible for Mirvac's residential development operations, with more than 25 years property experience in QLD and NSW. Warwick holds formal qualifications in Property Economics, MBA, is a Fellow of FINSIA and current President of UDIA – Queensland. Warwick is a keen hiker and has recently completed both the Carnarvon Gorge and Hinchinbrook Island great walks.