Property developers are often painted as the villains of Australia’s housing crisis. But is that actually true?

In this episode of Property Now, we sit down with Jim Hunter from Capital Corporation and Melissa Neighbour from Sky Planning to unpack where the distrust comes from, how a handful of bad actors shaped public perception, and why that narrative may be doing more harm than good.

We explore the role developers really play in housing supply, how tighter regulation has changed the industry, and what separates long-term, community-focused developers from those cutting corners.

Most importantly, this episode helps buyers understand how to assess developers properly, reduce risk, and make more confident decisions when considering apartments or off-the-plan property.Property developers are often painted as the villains of Australia’s housing crisis. But is that actually true?In this episode of Property Now, we sit down with Jim Hunter from Capital Corporation and Melissa Neighbour from Sky Planning to unpack where the distrust comes from, how a handful of bad actors shaped public perception, and why that narrative may be doing more harm than good. We explore the role developers really play in housing supply, how tighter regulation has changed the industry, and what separates long-term, community-focused developers from those cutting corners.

Most importantly, this episode helps buyers understand how to assess developers properly, reduce risk, and make more confident decisions when considering apartments or off-the-plan property.

Check out Capital Corporation: https://capitalcorporation.com.au/Check out Sky Planning: https://www.skyplanning.com.au/🏠 This podcast is brought to you by Coposit, where $10k means you can buy a brand-new home. To learn more about how it works and browse properties, visit: www.coposit.com.au

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:00:32 - The Negative Narrative Around Developers

00:00:39 - The Reality of Developers' Work

00:01:10 - The Impact of Bad Developers

00:02:14 - The Need for Developers in the Housing Market

00:02:54 - The Negativity Around Developers' Profit

00:03:29 - Changing Perception of Property in Australia

00:04:07 - Legislation and Its Impact on Developers

00:05:22 - The Importance of Delivering on Promises

00:05:30 - Building Trust with Buyers

00:06:28 - The Role of Media in Shaping Perception

00:07:12 - The Need for Progress in Cities

00:07:19 - The Evolving Housing Market in New South Wales

00:08:27 - The Importance of Early Planning for Housing

00:08:53 - The Difference Between Building a Project and a Community

00:09:26 - The Importance of Engaging with the Community

00:11:33 - The Role of Communication in Development

00:13:11 - The Importance of Feedback in Planning

00:13:55 - Example of Adjusting Plans Based on Feedback

00:15:10 - The Importance of Development in Aging Populations

00:16:46 - The Shift in Perception Towards Apartment Living

00:17:53 - The Benefits of Community in Apartment Living

00:21:56 - The Evolution of Apartment Design Based on Buyer Needs

00:25:27 - The Importance of Flexibility and Options in Housing

00:26:56 - How to Avoid Bad Developers

00:30:25 - Engaging with Past Purchasers

00:32:10 - The Impact of Regulation Changes on Developers

00:33:28 - The Importance of Reputation and Consumer Confidence for Developers

00:34:53 - The Role of Public Relations in the Development Industry