# Inside the Business of Property Development Site Acquisition

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-elephant-in-the-room-property-podcast-inside-australian-real-estate-1140810/inside-the-business-of-property-development-site-acquisition
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-elephant-in-the-room-property-podcast-inside-australian-real-estate-1140810/inside-the-business-of-property-development-site-acquisition.md
Podcast: [The Elephant In The Room Property Podcast | Inside Australian Real Estate](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-elephant-in-the-room-property-podcast-inside-australian-real-estate-1140810)
Published: 2026-03-29T20:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.theelephantintheroom.com.au/podcasts/430
Audio file: https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/9babe6ec-9a2a-4348-bb10-392c662b4f68.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-elephant-in-the-room-property-podcast-inside-australian-real-estate-1140810/episodes/inside-the-business-of-property-development-site-acquisition
Duration seconds: 2977

## Resource

The success of a property development project is heavily influenced at the site selection stage. Before construction begins, developers assess land based on planning controls, feasibility, and long-term project viability. In this episode, Veronica and Chris speak with Ryan Bennetts, a site acquisition and origination specialist who works directly with developers to identify and secure development opportunities. Ryan explains how developers assess planning controls, evaluate zoning potential, and calculate residual land values before making offers that can run into the millions. The conversation also explores the complex negotiations involved in assembling development sites, particularly when multiple property owners or strata buildings are involved. With governments introducing new rezoning policies and transport-oriented development initiatives, the development landscape is rapidly changing. Suddenly, many suburban properties are being targeted by developers, and some homeowners are receiving offers far above traditional market value. But as Ryan explains, not every property benefits equally—and the process of turning land into a viable development site can take years. If you’ve ever wondered how developers identify development opportunities, how land values change after rezoning, or what happens when your property becomes part of a potential development site, this episode pulls back the curtain on the realities of site acquisition. Episode Highlights 01:22 — Meet Site Acquisition Expert Ryan Bennetts 03:04 — How Developers Hunt for Rezoning Opportunities 07:27 — Why 75% Approval Still Isn’t Enough 09:19 — How Rezoning Reforms Changed the Game 17:39 — Creative Deal Structures and Playing the Long Game 20:51 — Where Development Deals Usually Fall Apart 23:38 — Holdouts…

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