Ethos Urban

Is It Time to Rethink Victoria’s Development Facilitation Program?   Retirement Living communities provide a naturally affordable housing option, yet they remain excluded from Victoria’s Development Facilitation Program (DFP). With an ageing population and growing demand for downsizing options, should policy shift to better support these developments?   In a new article, Henry Wallis, Associate Director, Planning, explores: 🔹 Affordability Retirement Living dwellings are inherently affordable to their local context. They also ease pressure on the broader housing market. Despite this, to access DFP, these projects are required to contribute to affordable housing funds.   🔹 The Growing Demand for Seniors Housing With over 20% of Victoria’s population expected to be over 65 by 2050, the need for purpose-built, age-friendly communities is urgent. Fast-tracking approvals would help address chronic undersupply.   🔹 Economic & Social Benefits Beyond housing, these developments support jobs, reduce social isolation and improve access to in-home aged care services. This helps seniors stay independent for longer and provides for government efficiencies in service provision.   🔹 A Policy Opportunity Expanding the DFP to include Retirement Living would reduce approval timeframes, encourage investment and align Victoria with NSW’s Housing SEPP approach to seniors housing approvals.   Read Henry’s full article on our website to explore why a policy update could deliver better outcomes for housing affordability and Victoria’s ageing population 👉 https://lnkd.in/ghT3e_h3 #UrbanPlanning #RetirementLiving #HousingAffordability #PolicyChange

Precinct planning is a long game and when done well, they drive economic growth, create jobs, and support liveable, sustainable communities. At the recent Property Council NSW Precincts Outlook event, our own Chris Bain, Director – Strategic Planning at Ethos Urban, joined the panel to explore how strategic planning is crucial to the future success of precincts.   With his experience on precincts like Waterloo and Central Station, Chris shared his insights on the importance of understanding a precinct’s role and intent from the outset, creating vibrant public spaces, delivering community dividends and need for flexibility in the planning framework.   Well done, Chris, for sharing your expertise! 👏

NSW Low and Mid-Rise Housing Reforms: Key Insights & Resources With the NSW Government’s Stage 2 Low and Mid-Rise Housing Reforms now in effect, Ethos Urban hosted a client information session to unpack what the reforms mean in practice – where they apply, key challenges, and opportunities as well as real-world case studies. Key Takeaways: ✅ Significant FSR and height uplift – Particularly when combined with the 30% affordable housing bonus. ✅ Achieving maximum uplift may be challenging – Factors like ADG, DCP controls and site-specific constraints will influence feasibility. ✅ Context matters – Mid-block vs. end-block positioning, orientation and impacts on neighbours will influence outcomes. ✅ Landscaping complexities – The interplay between tree canopy targets, deep soil requirements and basement designs needs further consideration A big thank you to our speakers: 🔹 Clare Swan – Director & Living Sector Lead, Planning 🔹 Jessica Saunders – Associate Director, Planning 🔹 Stefan Meissner I Exec MSc in Cities– Director & National Design Lead 🔹 Guillaume Volz – National Director, Residential, Colliers Key Resources now available on the Ethos Urban website 📄 Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy Snapshot – A concise summary of key changes and implications. 📘 Full Policy Monitor Summary – A deep dive into planning controls and development pathways. Access these insights 👉 https://lnkd.in/geZ_5W-T Understanding the impact of these changes on specific projects requires strategic expertise. Our team can help you interpret the reforms, assess site potential and develop tailored strategies. Get in touch to discuss how these changes affect your portfolio. Clare Swan Benjamin Craig Jessica Saunders Stefan Meissner I Exec MSc in Cities Stephen Gouge Yvette Carr Matthew Thrum Mercedes Janecek

With International Women’s Day tomorrow, this week we had the privilege of hosting a company-wide panel featuring four female colleagues who shared their personal experiences navigating gender-related challenges. A heartfelt thank you to our inspiring panellists for embodying this year's theme, March Forward, Sophia Kusznirczuk, Lily Brown, Cheyenne Mistry and Belinda Mackay. From cultural expectations and career progression to balancing work and family, community sports, and leadership, they highlighted the key elements that support women’s success.   The discussion sparked broader conversations across our teams, reinforcing the power of shared experiences in igniting progress.   Key takeaways from the panel and break-out sessions were:   🎯 Grit and determination drive change – Women in leadership have pushed through barriers, often making personal sacrifices to create systemic change, such as improved workplace policies. 🎯 Diversity beyond gender matters – Cultural backgrounds and lived experiences shape career progression, challenging norms and opening new opportunities. 🎯 Support networks are essential – Gender equality is a collective effort. Male allies are key in advocating for change and sharing caregiving responsibilities. 🎯 Balancing work and family is tough – Structural and cultural barriers still exist, but strong mentors, inclusive workplaces, and visible female leadership make a difference. 🎯Flexibility isn’t enough – Workplace equity requires more than remote work—transparent discussions about salaries, career growth, and leadership opportunities are critical.   The session welcome was provided by CEO, Mark Stefanac and moderated by VIC Regional Director, Nick Brisbane. #InternationalWomensDay #IWD2025 #womeninurbandevelopment #MarchForward #diversitymatters #ColliersEthosUrban 

Insights from the Illawarra Outlook: Economic Growth, Housing, and Investment Trends Keynote speaker Hon. Stephen Jones MP addressed the cost of living crisis, protectionism risks, and the importance of free trade. Housing dominated discussions: ✅ Slowing approvals are tightening an already constrained housing supply. ✅ Housing is an economic driver and social necessity—getting it right is crucial. ✅ Migration remains essential, given reliance on skilled workers and students. ✅ Insurance costs are also rising - premiums have jumped 50% in three years, with climate risks set to impact affordability further.   ➡️ Commercial & Retail: Confidence with Caution ▪️Wollongong’s office vacancy rate is 15.2%, in line with national averages, as businesses prioritise office space to attract and retain staff. ▪️Retail remains strong despite economic uncertainty, with repurposing of existing spaces proving successful. Christmas sales reinforced consumer confidence. ▪️Private investment is growing, with 75% now coming from the private sector, particularly in industrial and smaller retail assets as interest rate expectations shift.   ➡️ Growth, Infrastructure & Development ▪️Transport links between Illawarra and Sydney will drive further investment and residential growth. ▪️Housing feasibility remains a challenge, with councils working to meet targets despite funding and Class 2 construction constraints. ▪️Healthcare investment continues, ensuring hospital and imaging services keep pace with growth.   ➡️ What’s Next for Illawarra? ▪️Diversifying housing in greenfield areas to improve affordability. ▪️Activating underutilised retail spaces rather than waiting for large-scale developments. ▪️Boosting industrial investment to support Western Sydney’s logistics sector. With Wollongong set to be the fastest-growing region over the next 15 years, the challenge isn’t just attracting investment - it’s ensuring the right development happens in the right places. Important to also recognise that whilst there are currently feasibility constraints, Shellharbour South and Nowra are in a growth stage of where Wollongong was 15 years ago.    A huge thank you to moderator Jennifer Macquarie, Fountaindale Group of Companies and speakers for sharing their insights on Illawarra’s economic and investment outlook: Michael Croghan, Director, Commercial Leasing MMJ Real Estate, Nic Di Condio, Executive Director Western Region, Health Infrastructure, Richard Walters, General Manager Leasing, Haben Property Fund and Vanessa Rader, Head of Research, Ray White. Jessica Saunders Alysha Tse Christopher Curtis (Goody) Daniel Howard Daniela Vujic Isabel Lu

Ethos Urban was proud to host today’s Large Format Retail Association (LFRA) Emerging Leaders event to discuss the "Future of Large Format Retail in Mixed-Use Environments", including the potential opportunities within the NSW Industrial Lands Action Plan, for the sector. A big thank you to our own team including Jethro Yuen for leading the keynote presentation, moderator Jessica Kotselas and our panel speakers Costa Dimitriadis, Julia Moiso and Mark M. for sharing their planning and economics perspectives on the issues and opportunities facing Large Format Retailers. Read more on what the Industrial Lands Action Plan means for the Large Format Retail Sector, by Claire Burdett, Ethos Urban's Large Format Retail Specialist 👉 https://lnkd.in/d4c4dJAr

Congratulations to Clare Swan, Director, Planning, on her appointment to the Property Council of Australia’s NSW Division Council! With over 20 years of planning experience on significant projects and precincts, Clare works across a range of asset classes with a focus on residential, commercial and mixed-use developments. Her expertise extends to specialised sectors like seniors living, build-to-rent and student housing. Clare also facilitates and manages design competitions. As an active industry leader, she currently serves on the PCA Commercial Office and Cities Committee. Her previous contributions include two terms on both the PCA Hotel Committee and the Commercial Office Committee, as well as roles with the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) NSW Committee and CTBUH Australian Board. Her in-depth industry knowledge will be invaluable in supporting the Division Council’s work in influencing planning policy, advocating for industry reforms and driving initiatives that support sustainable growth and investment in the built environment.   Well done, Clare - an exciting opportunity to represent the interests of the industry! 👏 Ethos Urban #IndustryLeadership #Advocacy #UrbanPlanning

💡 Key Insights from the Property Council of Australia Industrial & Logistics Outlook 2025 The industrial and logistics sector is evolving rapidly, driven by e-commerce demand, constrained land supply, and shifting investment patterns.   With over 700 industry leaders in the room, the Property Council NSW's Industrial & Logistics Outlook event covered the key forces shaping the sector.   ➡️ Keynote: Luke Petherbridge (CEO, Link Logistics) Insights from the U.S. market reveal global trends shaping industrial demand: ▪️ E-Commerce is the dominant driver in the U.S., with higher penetration than Australia. ▪️ Growing pressure to reduce transport costs and consumer demand for shorter delivery time is fuelling demand for infill warehouse space—driving rents higher in prime locations. ▪️ Amazon’s transport costs exceed 50% of total expenses, reinforcing the importance of location strategy. ▪️ Businesses are shifting away from large centralised distribution centres towards decentralised networks with multiple smaller nodes—a trend led by Amazon. ▪️ Onshoring of major manufacturing - such as Tesla’s Gigafactory in Austin and Boeing’s Everett Factory - creates spillover demand for industrial floorspace. ▪️ Industrial development in the U.S. is slowing due to headwinds; limited land supply due to lack of infrastructure and land shortages, as well as the cost of labour and materials—challenges also affecting Australia. ▪️ Automation, autonomous trucking, and drone delivery are emerging factors to monitor, alongside sustainability priorities from major on- and offshore investors.                 ➡️ Panel Discussion Highlights The expert panel, moderated by Sass Jalili (CBRE) with insights from Mollie Alteri (Amazon), Peter McDonald (Gateway Capital), and Luke Petherbridge, explored the local market outlook: ▪️ Sydney’s industrial vacancy rate is just 2.1%, keeping rental growth persistent at +8% in 2024 after two years of +20% growth. ▪️ High-quality modern assets in infill locations are outperforming while lower-grade stock is struggling. ▪️ The Industrial Lands Action Plan is a step forward, but execution is critical to unlocking investment confidence. ▪️ Multi-level warehouses remain a debated solution - due to high construction costs and recent leasing challenges, while Amazon views them as inefficient and not suitable for the Sydney market. ▪️ Victoria’s foreign investment tax is dampening investment, driving capital flow towards other locations, including Sydney, as a preferred market.                 With demand intensifying and land supply constrained, strategic planning and infrastructure investment will be crucial for long-term growth.   Thank you to the Property Council of Australia for an insightful discussion and to Event Partner Women in Industrial (WIN). Bernard Gallagher Christopher Curtis (Goody) Claire Burdett Daniel Howard Daniela Vujic Gordon Kirkby Lachlan Jones Ross Hornsey Tim Ward Ethos Urban

We’re Hiring – Join Our Urban Economics Team! Are you passionate about preparing economic advice for diverse client projects? Looking for career growth opportunities? Our Economics team are experts in the analysis of ‘people, places, and spaces’ and the many policies and factors that influence our cities and communities. They deliver insights that drive decision-making for our clients. We’re looking for economists to join our growing Sydney team: 📍 Associate Director – Economics A senior role for an experienced professional (7+ years' experience) with strong research, analytical, and strategic thinking skills. This position offers the opportunity to lead projects, mentor emerging talent, and work across the relationship between land-use planning, economics and property. Learn more 👉 https://lnkd.in/gBhgXakV 📍 Principal – Economics A dynamic role is suited to economists (4+ years’ experience) passionate about applying data and research to real-world urban development challenges. This is an opportunity to grow your expertise within a multi-disciplinary team, working on high-profile projects that shape the built environment. Learn more 👉 https://lnkd.in/gD6nzk_a National project exposure. Collaborative and high-performing team. Interested? Apply now via the links above or get in touch to find out more. Ethos Urban #Hiring #Economics #UrbanDevelopment

Last week’s Property Council NSW Retirement Living Outlook highlighted the latest policy shifts, investment challenges, and the growing demand for housing that supports ageing in place, with the industry keen to take on new opportunities this year. 💡 Key takeaways:   ✅ Policy shifts creating opportunities - but also challenges ▪️ NSW’s planning reforms, including Transport-Oriented Development (TOD) legislation, are unlocking new opportunities by allowing greater height and density near key transport hubs. ▪️ Federal means test changes could encourage more people to “right-size”.  ▪️ However, older villages face major redevelopment hurdles, with feasibility only stacking up at up to 3 times the uplift due to redevelopment costs. ✅TOD and the future of retirement living ▪️ While TOD reforms free up land for higher-density housing, retirement villages may be challenged to compete here with other residential development. ▪️ If done well, TOD could support better access to essential services, health care, and community connections, enabling older Australians to remain independent for longer. ✅ Home care is reshaping retirement living ▪️43% of seniors village residents already receive home care. ▪️More home care is allowing for residents to remain living independent in villages longer and delaying the move to aged care. ▪️Operators are responding with assisted living models and stronger links to home care providers. ✅ Affordability and feasibility challenges ▪️ New projects are focused in higher median price areas, leaving fewer options for middle and lower-income retirees. ▪️ The low-mid rise housing policy may assist to spread opportunities for seniors to the middle and outer ring areas ✅ Investor appetite is growing - but education is key ▪️ Institutional investors are showing strong interest, but the sector requires a long-term view, and financial models need to work with this different model After a strong policy focus in 2021, seniors living has since dropped off the reform agenda. In the rush to boost housing supply, planning advantages for retirement living have been overtaken by other housing types. How can we ensure retirement living remains a key part of NSW’s housing strategy and that TOD reforms truly support ageing in place? Karen Armstrong Daniel West Sophia Kusznirczuk Aaron Hogan Renee Stavroulakis Ethos Urban