Registrations

Arrival tea and coffee / light breakfast

Welcome

Congress MC Daniela Ritorto, Andrew Walsh, Executive General Manager for New Developments at nbn, together with UDIA National President Oscar Stanley, will open National Congress 2026.

South Australian Premier Address

Hear from the Hon. Peter Malinauskas MP, Premier of South Australia who will officially welcome delegates to the National Congress and provide a snapshot on how South Australia has responded to the housing crisis.

International Case Study – Rendeavour – Africa’s New City Builder

Rendeavour is the largest developer of new cities in Africa, delivering world-class, mixed-use urban centres that drive economic growth and improve quality of life. Founded by New Zealander Stephen Jennings, and active across 30,000 acres of new urban development in Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana and the DRC, Rendeavour leads every stage of city-building — from master planning and infrastructure to long-term management. Its flagship project, Tatu City in Nairobi, is a thriving, walkable, and sustainable new 5,000 acre city where businesses, homes, schools, and public spaces are redefining urban living in East Africa.

State of the Land Launch

Join our National President, Oscar Stanley, for the launch of the State of the Land – our annual review of Australia’s residential market. Following the official launch we will hear from Colin Keane, Director of Research4 who will provide a National Greenfield Market overview, Tim Lawless, Head of Research at Cotality who will provide insights into the residential market. Oscar, Colin and Tim will be joined onstage by Richard Temlett, National Executive Director of Research at Charter Keck Cramer as they unpack the current state of play in housing and likely implications for the year ahead and capital city housing markets.

Demographic Trends

This session explores the latest demographic trends shaping Australia’s population—who we are, where we live, and how it's changing. Gain insights into how shifting age profiles, migration, and household structures are impacting housing demand, planning, and future growth.

Federal Minister for Housing Address

Hear from the Hon. Clare O’Neil MP, Minister for Housing who will provide an update on the Australian Government’s priorities on housing supply and urban growth.

Lunch and Networking

Site Tours

Join us for exclusive study tours of key projects across Adelaide and surrounds. A Congress highlight, these tours offer behind-the-scenes access to the people driving innovation and excellence in the industry.

Registrations Open

Arrival tea and coffee / light breakfast.

Welcome Day 2 + UDIA National Advocacy Update

Congress MC - Daniela Ritorto & UDIA National Update.

Decade of Change

It’s been a decade since the UDIA National Congress last came to Adelaide. This session will explore how South Australia’s development landscape has evolved over the past 10 years—examining the shifts in policy, the economy, and project delivery shaping the state today.

Economic Outlook

Alan Kohler AM is one of Australia’s most respected financial journalists and business commentators, with over five decades covering markets, the economy and business. A former editor of the Australian Financial Review and The Age, and columnist for The Age and Sydney Morning Herald, he has spent nearly 30 years with the ABC as business editor of 7.30, host of Inside Business, and now finance presenter on ABC News. Founder of Eureka Report and Business Spectator, Alan speaks on finance, the economy and stockmarkets, giving audiences clarity, context and insight to navigate uncertainty and make informed business decisions. In this session we look ahead to what’s coming, examine current market conditions in detail, and explore the major macroeconomic trends influencing the housing sector.

Morning Tea

International Case Study - Modular Housing: The Next Operating System for Cities

The housing crisis isn’t coming. It’s already here. For decades, the cost of housing has exploded while incomes struggle to keep pace — leaving cities trapped in a system that is too slow, too expensive, and too fragmented to deliver the homes people need. We have tried policy tweaks, financing tools, and planning reforms. Yet the gap between what housing costs and what people can afford continues to widen. In this provocative keynote, Jordan Jones (Integral) and Justin Kearnan (City Collective) argue that the real problem isn’t just housing supply — it’s the development model itself. They will unveil a radically different approach: combining off-site modular construction, mixed-income communities, public-private partnerships, and human-centered urban design into a repeatable system capable of delivering housing 20% cheaper, 50% faster, and at true community scale. This isn’t theory. It’s a new operating system for city building. The session will reveal how this model is already being deployed through transformative projects including Tribute Rising, a three-phase 1,000-unit mixed-income district in Durham, NC, USA, and two other developments combining an additional pipeline of 2,000 units. Attendees will also get the first look at a new vertically integrated development platform created to deploy this approach at scale, turning innovation in housing delivery into a powerful new flywheel for housing, community, and opportunity. The message is simple: if we want to solve housing, we must stop building projects and start building systems.

Industry Panel Session

Hear from leading industry experts as they unpack key topics shaping the market, including land lease communities and social and affordable housing.

Lunch and Networking

Case Study – Developer and Council Working as One

Join us for a deep dive into the Maroochydore City Centre Project and hear from senior executives from both the Developer Walker Corporation and Sunshine Coast Council. In this session we will discover the challenges, innovations and outcomes across the full lifecycle of the development and gain valuable insight into the power of public and private sector partnerships collaborating to unlock major mixed use precincts.

Closing Keynote

From Grand Slams to global admiration, Ash Barty has proven what it takes to lead with grit, humility and precision. Now, she brings that mindset to the business stage. At the intersection of elite sport and high-performance leadership, Ash will share the habits, mindset and frameworks that supported her rise to the top — and how they can translate into navigating complex challenges, sustaining long-game vision, and performing when it matters most. For leaders in the development industry, her story is a masterclass in discipline, decision-making, teamwork and resilience — the same core pillars that drive success in shaping communities and the built environment. A must-hear session to close the event with purpose, clarity and momentum.

Wrap Up

Congress MC - Daniela Ritorto

Official Close

Gala Awards for Excellence

We’re delighted to announce that the 2026 UDIA National Awards for Excellence will be hosted by one of Australia’s most beloved comedians and performers — Celia Pacquola. With her trademark wit, warmth and charm, Celia will guide us through a night of celebration as we recognise the people and projects shaping the future of our industry. Known for her roles in Utopia, Rosehaven, and her Dancing With the Stars championship win, Celia brings both humour and heart to the stage — ensuring the evening is one to remember.