Property development in Australia is getting harder—and this episode unpacks why. Soaring costs, endless planning delays, contradictory government policies, and a risk-averse planning culture are pushing developers to the edge. If you're struggling to make your numbers work, you're not alone.

In this episode of the Property Developer Podcast, we explore what’s broken in the system and what needs to change. Our guest, Maxwell Shifman from Intrapac Property, shares blunt insights from the front lines of residential property development including:

Why planning systems are paralysed by zero-risk thinking

How rising construction and infrastructure costs are crushing feasibility

The myth of affordable apartments near train stations

Why government housing targets are set up to fail

How rezoning taxes and red tape are stalling supply

The real reason developers are shelving projects across Australia

Strategies for surviving and adapting in today’s tough market

"We tax housing like we want less of it—then wonder why no one’s building."

 

Property Development Training

Want to learn how to manage property development with confidence?

If you're ready to take control of your development journey, check out my Property Developer Training. This step-by-step course covers everything from finding a site to running feasibilities and successfully completing a small-scale development. You'll learn how to avoid the pitfalls I’ve faced and set yourself up for success.

New Course: Building Blueprint – Navigating Construction During Turbulent Times

To help you successfully navigate the construction phase of any project, I’ve added a brand new, standalone course included with the Property Developer Training called Building Blueprint: Tactics for Navigating Construction During Turbulent Times. This course dives deep into construction contracts, common building pitfalls, and how to mitigate risks during the construction phase.

So head over to propertydevelopertraining.com and take a look... I would love to see you on the inside...

Property Developer Quiz

Ready to find out if you’re ready to become a developer?

Take the free Property Developer Quiz and see where you stand. Whether you're just starting or already working on projects, this quiz will help you assess your readiness and point out any gaps in your development knowledge.

Take the free Property Developer Quiz (https://www.propertydevelopertraining.com/quiz) and get a sense of where you are at…

Free book - Discover the secrets of a Million Dollar Property Developer

Grab Your Free Book: "Become a Million Dollar Property Developer"

Want to know how I delivered a 20-townhouse project on my first development? Grab a free copy of my book, Become a Million Dollar Property Developer, where I share the lessons I learned—and how you can apply them to your own projects.

Grab a free copy of my popular book Become a Million Dollar Property Developer about my journey into property development at https://www.propertydevelopertraining.com/digital_book.

Social Connection

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Links

Intrapac Property - https://intrapac.com.au/

Episode Transcript

Justin:

Let’s start with your background. How did you get into property development?

Maxwell:

So I’ve been in the property industry now for about 17 years. My father was a small developer in Melbourne’s Bayside area, so I was exposed to development early on. I did engineering and law at university,