Sydney Long Lunch: Developers Shaping the Future of Living

Sydney’s property leaders will gather at The Urban Developer’s Long Lunch on Thursday, November 27, for what has become the city’s premier end-of-year industry celebration.

Hosted at Hyatt Regency and presented by ARC Energy and Opticomm, the event will unite more than 400 senior developers, investors and decision-makers to unpack the forces redefining the nation’s largest property market.

Join more than 400 already registered >> 

Housing, innovation and sustainability

As Sydney faces the dual challenge of population growth and housing undersupply, the city’s developers are being called upon to reimagine how and where Australians live.

From large-scale mixed-use precincts to modular housing and regional renewal, the conversation will explore how innovation, sustainability and design excellence can unlock more resilient and inclusive communities.

The Long Lunch panel will examine the next generation of development thinking—where commercial viability meets community value—and how leading developers are responding to policy shifts, financing hurdles and consumer expectations.

Michael Romano | Freecity Group

The executive director of development at Freecity Group, Michael Romano, leads the delivery of major mixed-use and build-to-rent precincts across Australia.

With more than 25 years’ experience spanning acquisition, development and financing, Romano brings a deep perspective on urban growth, housing delivery and market evolution across Australia’s east coast.

Driven by a passion for innovation and community impact, he is advancing modular-led developments that challenge conventional construction and address Australia’s housing affordability crisis head-on.

Jennifer Macquarie | Fountaindale Group

Jennifer Macquarie is a partner and director of the Fountaindale Group, a family-owned property development company operating across the Illawarra, Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands.

With more than two decades of experience, she has built a career on diversifying regional housing supply, focusing on lowrise, medium-density homes and small-scale co-living projects.

Jennifer also serves as chair of the Shoalhaven Committee for the Property Council of Australia and sits on Shoalhaven Council’s Affordable Housing Task Force, advocating for policy reform and practical pathways to expand regional housing diversity.

Jamie Durie | Designer, Developer and Sustainability Advocate

Award-winning landscape architect, designer and media personality Jamie Durie brings a unique design lens to sustainable property development.

Through his Growing Home project at Avalon Beach, Durie is pioneering off-grid, biophilic living—combining solar and geothermal energy systems, native landscaping, and eco-smart materials to redefine sustainable luxury.

The founder of Durie Design, he continues to champion the integration of nature, architecture and wellbeing in residential and mixed-use projects, inspiring a more sustainable built environment across Australia.

Setting the agenda

The Sydney Long Lunch has become a hallmark industry event—an afternoon of insight and connection for the city’s leading property professionals.

This year’s discussion will shine a spotlight on how Sydney’s developers are adapting: embracing innovation, partnering for impact and redefining the urban experience in one of the world’s most competitive property markets.

The Urban Developer Long Lunch—Sydney
Thursday, November 27, 2025
Hyatt Regency
Presented by ARC Energy and Opticomm
Tickets are close to sold out.

Register here >>