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December 5, 2026
What Can You Expect?
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INDUSTRY EXPERT
Our Industry Experts present on topics relevant to you and address the challenges that you will face on your property development journey
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REAL DEAL
These are members of the community presenting their own deals, showcasing the good / bad and the sometimes 'ugly'
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MASTERMINDING
Our very unique Masterminding process where we help you to overcome your current challenges so that you can achieve a successful return
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+ NETWORKING
Don't forget the after meeting drinks...where many a JV partnership is found and at times this part can go for as long as the formal meeting, so be sure to get a 'leave pass' to join us!
Saturday - December 5
Avoiding Traffic Roadblocks? (Obrien Traffic) + Duplex (Matthew Biel)
Bringing together the collective knowledge & experience of your local community to assist you in progressing on your Property Development journey.
In-Person: 1:30 pm (Melbourne) to 'Mingle With The Expert'
Virtual: 2pm (Melbourne time)
AND... you know what that means?
It’s Rob’s shout!
To kick off the festive season join us for a VERY HAPPY HOUR! with Rob shouting the drinks & nibbles!
Plus... to add to the fun & frivolity...
We'll have drinks & nibbles after we play SECRET SANTA! and yes, stealing a previously opened gift is allowed
EVERYONE WELCOME but space will be LIMITED, so please RSVP TODAY so you don't miss out!
We can't wait to share a drink (or three) with you then!
In-Person: 1:30 pm (Melbourne) to 'Mingle With The Expert'
Virtual: 2pm (Melbourne time)
*** Let's Celebrate ***
Stay on after the Meetup to celebrate Christmas - PDN style!AND... you know what that means?
It’s Rob’s shout!
To kick off the festive season join us for a VERY HAPPY HOUR! with Rob shouting the drinks & nibbles!
Plus... to add to the fun & frivolity...
SECRET SANTA!
The PDN community is like one big family – SO – we ask that everyone who attends our Christmas Party Meetup bring along a $𝟯𝟬 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗮𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁 to put under the PDN Christmas Tree.
We'll have drinks & nibbles after we play SECRET SANTA! and yes, stealing a previously opened gift is allowed
EVERYONE WELCOME but space will be LIMITED, so please RSVP TODAY so you don't miss out!
We can't wait to share a drink (or three) with you then!
Matt Harridge - Obrien Traffic
Matt Harridge has more than 25 years of experience in traffic engineering, transport planning and road safety across both the public and private sectors. He joined O’Brien Traffic in 1999 and was appointed Managing Director in 2025. Throughout his career, Matt has provided traffic engineering and transport planning advice for a wide range of developments, including residential, commercial, industrial, education and community projects, as well as precinct structure plans, activity centres and strategic transport initiatives. Matt also brings extensive experience working with Victorian councils through long-term traffic engineering and management roles. This has given him an in-depth understanding of local government processes, statutory planning, transport policy and stakeholder engagement.
Industry Expert
Avoiding Traffic Roadblocks? Obrien Traffic (Matt Harridge)
Think your development has parking covered? Think again!
You’ve found the site, crunched the numbers and started planning your development. But have you considered how traffic and parking requirements could derail your project?
Get it wrong, and you could find yourself stuck in a cycle of council reviews, endless plan revisions, unexpected costs and frustrating delays. Even worse, you might accept every requirement an authority throws at you without knowing whether it’s actually necessary.
So, how do you get it right the first time?
At our next Property Developer Network Meetup, Matt Harridge from O’Brien Traffic will share The Parking and Traffic Engineering Playbook for Developments giving you practical insights to help you navigate traffic and parking requirements with greater confidence.
You’ll discover:
• The latest changes to parking requirements in Victoria and how they’re affecting developments
• The traffic engineering considerations you need to address at the start of a project
• The common concerns councils and authorities raise and how to respond using the right traffic engineering knowledge
• Why accepting every council requirement without question could cost you time and money
• How involving a traffic engineer early can help avoid unnecessary delays and costly redesigns
The takeaway? Don’t wait until council starts questioning your plans to think about traffic and parking. Get the right advice early, understand what’s required, and give your project the best chance of moving forward without unnecessary hold-ups.
Because in property development, what you get wrong at the start can cost you dearly at the end.
Think your development has parking covered? Think again!
You’ve found the site, crunched the numbers and started planning your development. But have you considered how traffic and parking requirements could derail your project?
Get it wrong, and you could find yourself stuck in a cycle of council reviews, endless plan revisions, unexpected costs and frustrating delays. Even worse, you might accept every requirement an authority throws at you without knowing whether it’s actually necessary.
So, how do you get it right the first time?
At our next Property Developer Network Meetup, Matt Harridge from O’Brien Traffic will share The Parking and Traffic Engineering Playbook for Developments giving you practical insights to help you navigate traffic and parking requirements with greater confidence.
You’ll discover:
• The latest changes to parking requirements in Victoria and how they’re affecting developments
• The traffic engineering considerations you need to address at the start of a project
• The common concerns councils and authorities raise and how to respond using the right traffic engineering knowledge
• Why accepting every council requirement without question could cost you time and money
• How involving a traffic engineer early can help avoid unnecessary delays and costly redesigns
The takeaway? Don’t wait until council starts questioning your plans to think about traffic and parking. Get the right advice early, understand what’s required, and give your project the best chance of moving forward without unnecessary hold-ups.
Because in property development, what you get wrong at the start can cost you dearly at the end.
Matthew Biel
Originally from New Zealand, Mathew relocated to Melbourne eight years ago with his wife. A Chartered Accountant by background, he has worked with large property development and construction companies since moving to Australia. Throughout his career, Mathew has provided financial advice and strategic support across property acquisitions, cash flow management, scenario modelling, debt and equity sourcing. He has also overseen finance teams responsible for day-to-day accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll and financial reporting. With a strong passion for property development, Mathew was keen to leverage his financial expertise and industry experience to venture into projects of his own. This duplex development marked his first project, providing an opportunity to put his knowledge into practice and experience the challenges and rewards of property development firsthand.
'Real Deal' Presentation
Duplex (Matthew Biel)
650 m2, NRZ3, Beaumaris, Victoria
Imagine securing a duplex development site, teaming up with another PDN graduate and setting out to deliver a successful project.
The plan? Work collaboratively, secure planning approval, engage a quality builder, manage construction costs and sell for a great result. Sounds straightforward, right?
But property development doesn’t always go exactly to plan!
What started as a promising project soon presented a series of unexpected challenges. Building tenders came in 30% higher than anticipated, engineering errors caused delays and additional holding costs, and a council tree management plan took five months to get across the line.
An ambitious planning strategy involving building over an easement was also knocked back, while delays from consultants and an unsuccessful auction campaign added further complications.
So, what went wrong? What went right? How did they navigate the setbacks, and what would they do differently next time?
At our next Property Developer Network Meetup, Mathew Biel will share his Real Deal, taking you behind the scenes of his duplex development, the decisions, challenges, unexpected setbacks and valuable lessons learned along the way.
You'll discover:
· How partnering with another property developer can help you overcome challenges and make better decisions throughout a project
· Why getting accurate construction pricing early is critical, and how builder tenders can come in significantly higher than expected
· How value management can reduce construction costs without compromising the overall finish and appeal to buyers
· Why choosing the right architect, engineer and consultants is crucial, and how their mistakes or delays can cost you money
· The risks of pushing for an aggressive planning outcome and why speaking directly with council departments can help you assess your chances of success
· How unexpected council requirements and approval delays can increase your holding costs
· Why you should never assume a builder's preliminary budget will match their formal construction tender
· The importance of choosing the right sales agent and knowing when an auction strategy may not be the best approach
Because successful property development isn't just about finding the right site and getting it approved. It's about managing your team, controlling costs, making informed decisions and knowing how to adapt when things don't go to plan.
Don't just learn from your own mistakes. Learn from someone else's before they cost you money!
650 m2, NRZ3, Beaumaris, Victoria
Imagine securing a duplex development site, teaming up with another PDN graduate and setting out to deliver a successful project.
The plan? Work collaboratively, secure planning approval, engage a quality builder, manage construction costs and sell for a great result. Sounds straightforward, right?
But property development doesn’t always go exactly to plan!
What started as a promising project soon presented a series of unexpected challenges. Building tenders came in 30% higher than anticipated, engineering errors caused delays and additional holding costs, and a council tree management plan took five months to get across the line.
An ambitious planning strategy involving building over an easement was also knocked back, while delays from consultants and an unsuccessful auction campaign added further complications.
So, what went wrong? What went right? How did they navigate the setbacks, and what would they do differently next time?
At our next Property Developer Network Meetup, Mathew Biel will share his Real Deal, taking you behind the scenes of his duplex development, the decisions, challenges, unexpected setbacks and valuable lessons learned along the way.
You'll discover:
· How partnering with another property developer can help you overcome challenges and make better decisions throughout a project
· Why getting accurate construction pricing early is critical, and how builder tenders can come in significantly higher than expected
· How value management can reduce construction costs without compromising the overall finish and appeal to buyers
· Why choosing the right architect, engineer and consultants is crucial, and how their mistakes or delays can cost you money
· The risks of pushing for an aggressive planning outcome and why speaking directly with council departments can help you assess your chances of success
· How unexpected council requirements and approval delays can increase your holding costs
· Why you should never assume a builder's preliminary budget will match their formal construction tender
· The importance of choosing the right sales agent and knowing when an auction strategy may not be the best approach
Because successful property development isn't just about finding the right site and getting it approved. It's about managing your team, controlling costs, making informed decisions and knowing how to adapt when things don't go to plan.
Don't just learn from your own mistakes. Learn from someone else's before they cost you money!
Pricing & Ticket Options
Pricing & Ticket Options
'Existing Annual Member' (Included for you, simply RSVP below)
'Casual Attendee' ($25 for 1 meeting only)
'Annual Member' ($250/year)
OR.....If it's your FIRST TIME
You can trial our PDN Annual Membership for JUST $1!
'Existing Annual Member' (Included for you, simply RSVP below)
'Casual Attendee' ($25 for 1 meeting only)
'Annual Member' ($250/year)
OR.....If it's your FIRST TIME
You can trial our PDN Annual Membership for JUST $1!
December 5, 2026
**Space Is Limited - RSVP NOW**
Partners & Affiliates
Partners & Affiliates
