Live NSW Panel with Ashleigh Button, Third.i Group; Jim Hunter, Capital Corporation; & Luke Hill, Centuria Bass

NSW Market Insights Live Event Panel March 2026

Market Insights: Develop, Divest, Delay with Ashleigh Button, Third.i Group; Jim Hunter, Capital Corporation; & Luke Hill, Centuria Bass

Picking the right site in a selective market

Develop, Divest or Delay? Sydney Developers Reveal What They'd Build Right Now

In this episode of Market Insights Live Sydney, we speak with Ashley from Third.i Group, Jim Hunter from Capital Corporation, and Luke Hill from Centuria Bass, about the current state of Sydney's development market — from AI-powered sales tools to a live site assessment panel where developers and funders debate what they'd develop, divest, or delay right now.The panel shares insights on:

• How AI voice technology is generating up to 5x more appointments than email or SMS when re-engaging old buyer databases
• Why luxury downsizer stock in Sydney's eastern suburbs and lower North Shore is facing a depth-of-market problem — and what that means for feasibility
• The sites developers are genuinely excited about versus the ones they'd walk away from in today's market
• How joint venture structures and eliminated land costs are giving some developers a strategic edge over traditional buyers
• What the panel is prioritising heading into 2026 — from affordable masterplanned communities to build-to-rent

Whether you're a property developer, investor, or industry professional, this episode gives a candid look at how Sydney's development community is navigating construction costs, buyer hesitancy, and a shifting funding landscape.📌 Key Takeaways:

• AI calling is not a replacement for agents — think of it as a smarter, more conversational version of email or SMS for re-engaging cold leads
• Luxury projects at the $4M–$9M price point are viable, but buyer depth is limited and holding costs on completion can seriously erode feasibility
• Transport connectivity (metro proximity in particular) remains the single strongest locational driver for both developers and funders
• The mid-market — properties where buyers still carry a meaningful mortgage — is currently the hardest stock to move across the entire East Coast

*Build-to-rent is emerging as a credible alternative use for large sites where for-sale residential feasibility doesn't stack up

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For the Apartments presentation, photograph and more from the day visit: https://industry.apartments.com.au/updates/nsw-market-insights-event-summary-march-2026