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Masterclasses
In conversation with our industry leaders and experts. Taking a deep dive into specific topics and sectors to identify opportunities and challenges.
Masterclasses are separately ticketed and can be added to your ticket during the registration process.Â
With a room full of equally curious and passionate industry colleagues, the masterclasses offer a unique and intimate opportunity to ask the tough questions, drive the discussion and hear from others in a highly engaging and informative forum.
Masterclasses will run concurrently and will be complimentary for Future Leaders (35 and under), Committee members, 500 Women in Property, National Mentoring Program and First Nations Professionals participants.
Topics will range from smart solutions in property to city planning.Â
The Property Congress Masterclasses will run concurrently and are only available to The Property Congress registered delegates. Bookings can be made via the links in your confirmation email.
Masterclasses are complimentary for Future Leaders (35 and under), Committee member, 500 Women in Property, National Mentoring Program and First Nations Professionals participants. If you belong to one of these cohorts and would like to book, please contact The Property Congress Concierge – [email protected] or 02 9033 1957.
Date and time:
Tuesday 14 October
1:00pm – 2:00pm
Price:
Members – $100Â
Non-members $150
Time
Session information
1:00pm – 2:30pm
Hosted by
A regional capital city driving the nations transition to renewables
Transitioning to renewable energy sources is essential to reduce carbon emissions, enhance energy security, stimulate economic growth, and improve public health and education. Achieving this transition requires substantial investment, innovation, and international cooperation to overcome technical, economic, and policy barriers. Why are regions in a booming phase? And what are the key ingredients that have led to North Queensland is leading the transition to green energy?
As Executive Director TropiQ, David leads a broad range of precinct planning, feasibility work, alliance building and commercial and institutional engagement across a diverse group of stakeholders. With a focus on expanding Townsville’s knowledge economy, David works in close collaboration with precinct partners, government agencies and industry stakeholders to position TropiQ as a destination of choice for tropical research and innovation.
David previously served 7 years with Townsville Hospital and Health Service as the Director of Planning and Business Development, delivering a range of strategic, health service delivery and precinct master planning outcomes.
As a strong advocate for North Queensland, David’s most significant contribution to the region has been the delivery of the Townsville University Hospital Master Plan and its successful integration with the James Cook University Master Plan, leading to the establishment of TropiQ.
Nyree Bolton is a dedicated professional currently serving as the City Growth Manager with Townsville City Council. With a strong background in corporate affairs and stakeholder engagement, Nyree has previously held significant roles at South32, Department of Transport and Main Roads, and the Port of Townsville. Her expertise in project communications and community engagement has been instrumental in driving growth and development initiatives within the city.
Known for her strategic approach to enhancing business interactions and improving the customer journey in planning and development, Nyree’s commitment to fostering community relationships and her proactive involvement in local projects make her a valuable asset to the Townsville community.
Paul commenced as Townsville’s City Council’s Chief Planning & Development Officer in November 2023. Since arriving in Townsville, Paul has focused on developing an understanding of the planning and development opportunities and challenges facing Townsville. Moving forward the Council’s Planning & Development team will be playing a key role, working alongside industry, our community and other levels of government, in taking those opportunities and meeting the challenges. Some of the key opportunities and challenges relate to: significant industrial growth; expansion of health, education and research facilities; an expanding defence presence; enhancing and creating mixed-use, walkable activity centres; providing social, cultural and recreational facilities; and delivering trunk infrastructure and housing to accommodate Townsville’s growth.
Paul has over 25 years diverse experience in local government planning and leadership roles in Western Australia, the United Kingdom and now Queensland. Prior to commencing with Townsville City Council Paul had spent 12 years as the Director of Planning & Development Services at the City of Busselton in the South-West of WA. During that period Busselton went from the fifth largest to the largest local government by population in regional WA. A number of transformative projects occurred alongside that growth, including: the Busselton Foreshore Redevelopment, Busselton-Margaret River Airport Development, Busselton Central Redevelopment, development of the Vasse Newtown community and Vasse Village Centre, and significant redevelopment in the Dunsborough Town Centre. Paul’s teams also played key roles in a range of other projects and policy areas, including: development of new community and recreational facilities; coastal planning; waterways management; bushfire hazard management; and short stay letting regulation.
Wayde is the Chief Executive Officer of Regional Development Australia (RDA) Townsville and North West Queensland Inc., bringing over 25 years of experience in business, finance, and media.
A Chartered Accountant, Wayde previously served as Director of Regional Development and Investment at Townsville Enterprise, and held senior positions at BHP, Incitec Pivot, Townsville City Council, and PricewaterhouseCoopers before joining RDA.
Appointed CEO in August 2021, he has driven organisational success through strategic insights, strong partnerships, and sustainable economic growth across Townsville and North West Queensland.
Wayde, a born and bred North Queenslander, has an unwavering passion for the region. He advocates for collaboration across all levels of government to advance local industries, emerging projects, and infrastructure investments that guide RDA’s strategic direction.
Under his leadership, RDA actively participates in pivotal projects across 15 Local Government Areas, promoting sustainable and cohesive regional development. He collaborates closely with stakeholders from government, business, and community sectors to enhance economic resilience and improve liveability throughout the region.
Wayde’s extensive experience makes him an invaluable asset to RDA and the region of Townsville and North West Queensland.
1:00pm – 2:30pm
Hosted by
AI in property: Ready for the future or falling behind?
As we gather to shape the future of property, one key question looms: Are we equipping ourselves for what’s next, or simply falling behind? In this master class, we tackle how AI can level the playing field, making advanced insights accessible for all property professionals, not just the tech-savvy. Learn how to bridge the skills gap, enhance property insights, and empower a more capable, future-ready workforce by leveraging property data. This is not just about technology, it’s about ensuring everyone in property thrives in the age of AI.
David Blanch is the CTO and co-founder of Bitpool, leading the platform’s mission to redefine building intelligence. With 20 years of experience in property tech and software development, David is dedicated to empowering people with artificial intelligence while making building data more transparent, accessible, and impactful. He leverages open-source technologies and cutting-edge tools to help property owners and operators transform raw data into valuable insights, driving property efficiency and operational excellence across the built environment.
1:00pm – 2:30pm
Hosted by
Diversity & inclusion in workplace design: Unlocking potential and fostering inclusion
As the world becomes more interconnected, workplaces are becoming increasingly diverse. Explore the importance of diversity and inclusion in workplace design. Learn how inclusive spaces enhance engagement, productivity and engagement.
Beyond this, Kirsti is an adjunct professor at the University of Queensland (UQ) School of Architecture. She is a Member of the Economic Development Queensland advisory panel and a member of the Division Council of the Property Council of Queensland.
1:00pm – 2:30pm
Hosted by
Enhancing property value through analytics and optimisation
Deep dive into the importance of building analytics and optimisation software in maintaining and enhancing building performance post-COVID.
The focus of this session will be on:
- Tenant comfort and creating sticky tenants
- Using building and asset data to prioritise capital projects
- Lowering operating expenses through analytics.
Over the last few years reduced occupancy has had a significant downward impact on the value of assets. As workplaces fill up again and we face rising temperatures and humidity, energy use is expected to climb significantly, putting pressure on valuations. Data from building systems and assists is the key to unlocking opportunities to reduce energy consumption, prioritise capital spend that will reduce longer term expenses.
Building analytics tools play a pivotal role in driving operational efficiency. However, Building Optimisation remains a misunderstood and underutilised concept in the industry. This session will aim to explain what “true” building optimisation is and provide an understand on clear strategies needed by the industry for improving building performance in this new era.
Hugh Amoyal is the Global CEO of Bueno Analytics, a leading smart building data analytics platform that focuses on decarbonising the built environment. Hugh has a background in big data and technology and an MBA from INSEAD. He has specialised in leading businesses that use data to drive business decisions. In his previous CEO roles in the market research industry, Hugh understands the value of quality research grade data. Under his leadership, Bueno has expanded its global footprint, providing cutting-edge solutions to building owners and operators across diverse sectors.
Born in France and based in Sydney, Hugh is passionate about leveraging data-driven insights to combat climate change and leave a better world for future generations.
Varun is the General Manager of Asset Management at Scentre Group, the owner and operator of Westfield in Australia and New Zealand. Varun leads the team to drive the asset strategy to create extraordinary places, connecting and enriching communities with a simple plan to have more people, come more often, for longer. He is focused on delivering long term value and returns as well as driving performance across the portfolio having previously lead teams across Operations, Design and Construction, Environmental Sustainability, Engineering and Asset Systems.Â
Varun is passionate about technology and the role it can play in driving innovation and change, which has enabled Scentre Group to not only improve the operational performance of Westfield centres but also deliver exceptional customer experiences consistently.
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