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Good on you for joining us for another episode of The Building Talks Podcast! This time, I had the chance to speak with Ben Rowe, Project Director at RIVERLEE, who’s overseeing one of Melbourne’s most ambitious urban transformations, the regeneration of the 'New Epping' precinct. It’s a 50-hectare site that’s evolved from a 10-year plan to a 20-year vision, and Ben’s been at the centre of it for the last eight years.
We get into the realities of managing a multi-decade, multi-asset development that includes housing, healthcare, commercial, and retail, all while adapting to planning delays, shifting markets, and rising construction costs. Ben shares his approach to keeping long-term momentum, how to build trust with councils and communities, and what it takes to navigate risk, pick the right builders, and bring patient capital into the fold. He also opens up about his advocacy work through Queers in Property, driving visibility and inclusion in the built environment.
Takeaways
✅ Keeping momentum on long-term, complex projects
✅ Balancing risk, resilience and changing market conditions
✅ Building stakeholder trust through clear communication
✅ Why developers need adaptability and strong networks
✅ The importance of inclusion in property and construction
Chapters:
06:38 – The Journey into Property Development
09:21 – The Complexity of Large-Scale Developments
12:03 – Creating a Vision for Urban Regeneration
19:32 – Creating People-Friendly Spaces
24:38 – Understanding Community Needs
29:48 – Challenges in Construction Costs
34:36 – Managing Diverse Asset Classes
37:31 – User-Centric Design in Healthcare Projects
41:58 – Current Status of New Epping Project
49:09 – The Art of Development: Storytelling and Influence
52:00 – Current Challenges in Melbourne’s Property Development
58:13 – Creating Inclusive Spaces: The Role of Queers in Property
1:08:31 – Future Projects and Industry Outlook
Tune in for a real-world look at what it takes to deliver a future-ready precinct from the ground up.
Hope you enjoy the podcast!
#UrbanRegeneration #PropertyDevelopment #EppingProject #Riverlee #BuiltEnvironment #PrecinctPlanning #LongTermVision #ConstructionLeadership #InclusiveDesign #QueersInProperty #BuildingTalksPodcast
The Building Talks Podcast is brought to you by Building Environs Recruitment - providing recruitment solutions to the property, construction, and related industries, here in Melbourne and Southeast Queensland. For an overview of our service, visit:
www.buildingenvirons.com.au
Proud to partner with Housing All Australians (HAA). Check out their website, and join the movement!
www.housingallaustralians.org.au
The views and information shared in this podcast are for general purposes only and do not constitute legal or professional advice. Neither the host nor guests are providing specific guidance. Please seek professional advice before taking any action based on the content of this podcast.
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