DPM Civil Engineering will be part of the upcoming Land Lease Communities Summit, taking place on 7 May 2026 at Doltone House, Darling Island in Sydney.
At a time when the land lease sector is evolving rapidly, the summit brings together developers, operators, investors, policymakers and advisors to share insights, challenge assumptions and align on best practice.
At DPM, we see feasibility as more than a financial exercise. It is driven by the early identification and management of civil, infrastructure and servicing constraints. When these factors are understood upfront, projects are better positioned to move forward with confidence and fewer surprises.
As part of the event, DPM will be hosting a round table discussion focused on one of the most pressing challenges facing the sector today.
A Focus on Feasibility and Risk
DPM’s round table discussion will centre on:
“De risking feasibility, managing civil, infrastructure and stormwater constraints in land lease developments”
Feasibility across land lease projects is under increasing pressure. Delivery costs are rising, regulatory environments are becoming more complex, and expectations from investors and stakeholders continue to grow.
In this context, civil and servicing constraints are playing a more critical role in shaping project outcomes.
The discussion will explore how these constraints can be identified earlier, better understood and more effectively managed to support successful delivery.
Why This Conversation Matters Now
Australia’s housing market is being reshaped by a number of structural factors.
Population growth, affordability pressures and an ageing demographic are all contributing to the rise of land lease living as a mainstream housing model. At the same time, institutional investment is accelerating the scale and complexity of developments across the country.
With larger, more sophisticated projects comes greater scrutiny on feasibility.
Success increasingly depends on the ability to bring together planning, design, infrastructure and delivery considerations from the outset.
From Constraint to Opportunity
One of the key themes of the round table will be the role of early constraint identification.
Civil, infrastructure and stormwater considerations are often uncovered later in the design process, where their impact on cost and programme is more significant.
By shifting this thinking earlier into the feasibility stage, project teams can:
- Improve accuracy in cost and programme assumptions
- Reduce the risk of redesign and delays
- Better understand site limitations and opportunities
- Increase confidence for investors and stakeholders
This approach supports more efficient project delivery and more resilient outcomes.
Round Table Participants
The session will be led by a group of experienced practitioners from DPM’s team, bringing together expertise across design, project delivery and regional leadership.
Morgan Cole, Associate Director
A Principal Engineer and core part of DPM since 2017, Morgan specialises in property and development, feasibility studies, stormwater management and infrastructure design. His experience spans site investigation through to detailed design and project management, providing a strong foundation for early-stage feasibility planning.
John Mathios, Associate Director
John is a Principal Engineer and key member of the leadership team, with deep expertise in feasibility studies, servicing capability assessments and stormwater management. He has led a number of significant development projects and brings a strong focus on practical, deliverable outcomes.
Sabbir Alam, Project Manager
Sabbir is a Project Manager with a strong background in both design and construction, specialising in land development projects across greenfield, industrial and medium-density sites. He has delivered complex infrastructure including roads, drainage systems, sewer and water networks, and wetlands. With a Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering from the University of Melbourne, Sabbir has progressed through project and construction engineering roles into project management, overseeing planning, coordination and execution across all stages of delivery.
Mal McCann, State Manager QLD
Mal is a Chartered Civil Engineer and experienced leader with over 20 years in consulting. As State Manager for Queensland, he works closely with clients to achieve strategic outcomes through effective project delivery. His expertise includes leading teams across water, wastewater, drainage and transport planning for urban growth, with a strong track record across master planned developments in South East Queensland. Mal is passionate about collaboration and delivering sustainable, high-quality infrastructure outcomes.
Join the Conversation
The Land Lease Communities Summit comes at a critical time for the sector.
As competition intensifies and expectations continue to rise, collaboration and shared insight will be key to improving outcomes across the industry.
DPM looks forward to contributing to the conversation and connecting with others across the sector.
If you are attending the summit, we welcome the opportunity to connect and be part of the discussion.
Learn more about the event: https://landleasesummit.com/
