6th annual Industrial
Real Estate Summit

15-16 September 2026, Doltone House Darling Island, Sydney

Investment, planning, development, construction, leasing & energy strategies for Australia’s industrial property sector

About the Summit

Australia’s industrial real estate market has become the backbone of the modern economy — powering logistics, manufacturing, e-commerce, renewable energy, data infrastructure, and advanced supply chains. As demand surges and land availability tightens, 2026 marks a pivotal moment for developers, owners, occupiers and investors to rethink how industrial assets are planned, built, powered and scaled.

The 6th Annual Industrial Real Estate Summit returns to Sydney, uniting leading developers, owners, operators, occupiers, investors, planners, contractors, engineers, and energy partners for a full-day exploration of what’s next for Australia’s most resilient and high-growth real estate class.

Day One – Investment and Development Strategy 

Examining the capital development forces shaping I&L Real estate and aligning investment strategy to asset performance, income durability and long-term portfolio outcomes 

Day Two – Asset Management and Social Value 

Exploring how landlords and occupiers coordinate capital investment, building performance, energy optimisation and maintenance delivery to drive resilient income and social value. 

Together, both days represent the essential processes that must unite for achieving asset value, sustainability goals and occupier workforce engagement.  

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2 Day Conference Program

60+ speakers, case-studies, interactive panels, innovation talks and more.

Innovation Showcase

An exhibition of leading suppliers and solution providers in industrial real estate.

Networking Events + Meet & Greets

Structured and informal networking activities to meet customers & partners.

Roundtable Discussions

Join peers, share insights, make connections and explore opportunities.

Meet our Speakers

George Vallas

Head of Real Estate, Institutional Banking & Markets, Commonwealth Bank of Australia

Abby Jones

Portfolio Manager, Industrial, Ashe Morgan

Ben Hegerty

Head of Logistics & Industrial Capital Markets – Australia, JLL

Jennifer Cook

Independent Non-Executive Director, Centuria Property Funds No.2

Matthew Rand

MD, Research & Analytics, Link Logistics Real Estate, USA

Melissa Gardner

Portfolio Manager, Logistics, The GPT Group

Will Williamson

Portfolio Manager, Property,  UniSuper

Antoinette Cardona

Senior Asset Manager, 151 Property

Max Wilson

GM Commercial Property, Western Sydney Airport

Jessica Rankin

Head of Trade Controls, Security and Facilities, Babcock International

Key Themes

Linking capital to performance, not just yield

How investment decisions are increasingly driven by real asset performance, uptime, energy efficiency, operating costs and tenant productivity, not just traditional yield metrics.

Balancing ESG ambition with operational reality

How leading landlords are ensuring sustainability initiatives enhance performance, resilience and tenant value, rather than becoming disconnected compliance exercises.

Turning assets into high-performing operational platforms

Case studies of warehouses where leasing, asset management and facilities management align to support tenant operations and protect long-term income.

Using data to drive smarter capital allocation

How leading funds are leveraging asset, energy and occupier data to inform portfolio strategy, prioritise upgrades and optimise investment decisions.

Aligning landlord and occupier outcomes

How assets, leases and operating models are being structured so gains in efficiency, productivity and energy performance deliver shared value for both occupiers and owners.

Why Attend

1.
Unprecedented demand meets constrained supply

E-commerce, reshoring, AI infrastructure and advanced manufacturing are elevating demand for industrial land — but supply remains historically tight.

2.
Record rental growth & valuation shifts

Vacancy at record lows means incentives, yield compression and delivery models are reshaping asset values.

3.
Energy & infrastructure are now deal-breakers

Grid constraints, renewable integration and electrification are central to site selection and design.

4.
Planning and zoning pressures are intensifying

Land-use conflicts, transport access and community impact are reshaping development feasibility.

5.
Occupiers want smarter, greener, automated assets

Robotics, temperature control, multi-level warehousing and ESG performance are becoming baseline expectations.

6.
Developers must deliver faster and smarter

Construction costs, labour shortages and delays drive demand for digital engineering and MMC/offsite.

The Industrial Real Estate Summit will bring together senior leaders to discuss the following topics:

Investment & Market Trends

Insights into industrial property values, rental markets, and global investment shifts shaping the I&L sector

Development & Design Innovation

Exploring multi-storey warehouses, last-mile logistics hubs, and automation-ready facilities

Sustainability & ESG Strategies

Net-zero logistics, green warehousing, and investor expectations for sustainable industrial developments

Future Workforce & Talent Retention

Addressing skill shortages, inclusivity, and strategies to attract and retain top talent in I&L

Technology & Automation

The role of robotics, AI, and "dark sheds" in enhancing supply chain efficiency and warehouse operations

Government Policy & Planning

Understanding industrial land supply, regulatory impacts, and policy initiatives for industrial growth

Occupier & Tenant Experience

What industrial tenants want, from lease structures to workplace design that enhances comfort and productivity

“The Industrial Real Estate Summit is an established and productive forum for staying abreast of change in the sector and engaging with fraternity. IRE again delivered; an insightful, rewarding and enjoyable day. ”

Head of ESG ESR Australia & New Zealand

“The IRE Summit is the only real opportunity in Australia for real estate professionals to interact – for developers, their partners and occupiers to understand industry trends like ESG, net zero and modern shed design.”

Head of Supply Chain ANZ JLL

Agenda

Day 1 | Investment and Development Strategy

08:30

Conference registration & networking coffee

09:00

Futureplace welcome - Where I&L capital meets operational performance

Roderic McLauchlan, Event Director, FuturePlace
09:05

Chair’s opening address

Jennifer Cook, Independent Non-Executive Director, Centuria Property Funds No.2

CAPITAL PERFORMANCE

09:15

Market Shifts: Capital flows, supply chains and niche markets

This session draws on real-time market intelligence and sector research to frame how investors and occupiers are responding across real estate and I&L subsectors

  • Where capital is flowing across logistics, urban infill and specialised assets
  • Debt funding availability and how has this developed
  • Structural demand drivers — e-commerce, food security, cold storage, and automation
  • Vacancy, rental growth and development feasibility — what the data signals for 2027
George Vallas, Head of Real Estate, Institutional Banking & Markets, Commonwealth Bank of Australia
09:40

PANEL | Capital performance and allocation across sectors and regions

Senior capital and platform leaders examine how core industrial and logistics assets are performing across national I&L hubs, while also exploring emerging opportunities in urban and infill logistics. The discussion focuses on operational quality, portfolio construction, and what is now required to attract and retain long-term capital.

  • How yield, leasing depth, and operational resilience differ materially across markets
  • Where capital is concentrating, reweighting, or stepping back — and “core” is evolving
  • How innovative urban and last-mile operations influence institutional expectations
Panelists include:
Peter McDonald, CIO & Co-Founder, Gateway Capital
Julie Drago, CEO, Realside Ovest
Jack Walters, Fund Manager – CPIF, Charter Hall
Will Williamson, Portfolio Manager, Property,  UniSuper
Abby Jones, Portfolio Manager, Industrial, Ashe Morgan
Moderated by:
Ben Hegerty, Head of Logistics & Industrial Capital Markets – Australia, JLL
10:20

Morning break - coffee, conversation, and connection

INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

11:00

ROUNDTABLE SESSION

These moderated roundtable sessions of up to 25 people are designed to bring together like-minded professionals to share real-world challenges, exchange ideas, and receive constructive feedback — all while fostering more meaningful connections and smarter networking.

Roundtable topics include:

1 – Urban growth, sustainability targets, and operational efficiency
Annabel McFarlane, Head of Strategic Research – Australia, JLL
2 – Interpreting industrial asset values and investment signals
Daniel McDonald, Senior Manager, Capital Transactions, ESR Group
3 – Core and Core-Plus industrial
Jack Walters, Fund Manager – CPIF, Charter Hall
4 – Planning for customisation: Improving delivery for development
Samantha Wilson, Planning Manager, Frasers Property Australia
5 - Deal structures and long-term value creation
Georgina Emanuel, Investment Manager, I&L , Lendlease
6 – Investing in productive real estate: workshops and factories
Julie Drago, CEO, Realside Ovest
7 - Rethinking yield in a performance-led market - keeping the tenant
Jeff Davies, Director Capital Transactions, Real Estate, KordaMentha Real Estate
11:45

CASE STUDY | Turning asset and occupier data into portfolio intelligence

This session explores how fund managers can leverage operational data to assess industrial assets more accurately, moving beyond traditional valuation metrics. It highlights how analytics on tenant activity, building performance, and precinct dynamics can reveal hidden value and predict long-term income resilience.

  • Using operational and energy data to inform portfolio-level asset management decisions
  • Integrating asset and facilities management with occupier data for real-time insights
  • Applying predictive analytics to improve uptime, energy efficiency and lifecycle planning
12:05

Networking lunch break

EXECUTION RISK

13:05

INNOVATION PANEL | Aligning development capital, asset management and net zero

I&L assets have evolved into operating platforms rather than passive buildings. This discussion explores how asset managers, occupiers and service providers can align investment decisions with energy performance, operational efficiency and long-term asset value.

  • Linking capital allocation with operational efficiency and lifecycle asset value
  • Delivering practical net zero upgrades and retrofits across I&L portfolios
  • Aligning landlord and tenant priorities to improve building performance outcomes
Panellists include financiers and technical specialists including:
Peita Piper, CEO, Avenue Bank
13:45

PLANNING PANEL | Unlocking land and customising infrastructure

Industrial and logistics performance increasingly depends on how quickly land can be planned, serviced and delivered. This panel examines how planning frameworks, development strategy, infrastructure provision and power availability are shaping the next generation of industrial precincts and determining which projects move from concept to operational assets

  • Aligning pre-lease transactions with planning strategy, design feasibility and delivery
  • Multi-storey formats, intensification and adaptive reuse to unlock constrained land
  • Servicing constraints and asset performance – energy, transport and infrastructure
Panellists include:
Michael Parkinson, GM – Property, Ingham Property Group
Samantha Wilson, Planning Manager, Frasers Property Australia
Liam McWhirter, GM, Strategic & Enterprise Partners, Origin Energy
Sue Weatherley, President, NSW, Planning Institute of Australia
Moderated by:
Charles Kekovich, Director - Greater Western Sydney, UDIA
14:25

DEVELOPMENT PANEL | From design to delivery - Achieving capital discipline, effective delivery and asset performance

As I&L projects become larger, more automated and more capital-intensive, execution risk has become central to value creation. This panel brings together senior property leaders to examine how to control cost, programme and performance risk while delivering assets that meet occupier, investor and ESG expectations

  • Designing for automation, power capacity and ESG compliance without over-engineering
  • New development versus repositioning: optimising capital and upgrading existing stock
  • Aligning development, capital partners and occupiers to avoid late-stage redesign
Panelists include:
Max Wilson, GM Commercial Property, Western Sydney Airport
Caroline Jarrett, Construction Director, Industrial, JXC Group
George Locke, Executive Director Acquisitions, Richmond Bridge
Owen Smith, Director, Industrial Development, Salta Properties
Moderated by:
Steph Archer, Senior Executive, I&L, Colliers
15:05

Afternoon networking break

FINDING NEW VALUE

15:35

SPOTLIGHT | Finding new value - Upgrading older stock to outperform new supply

As new-build costs remain elevated and yields compress, attention is returning to under-managed and under-invested industrial assets with latent operational and ESG upside. This session explores how repositioning older stock can unlock performance, extend asset life and deliver risk-adjusted returns that compete with – or exceed – ground-up development.

  • Identifying mispriced assets with upgrade, re-leasing or intensification potential
  • ESG retrofits, energy optimisation and compliance as drivers of NOI growth
  • Comparing capex risk and timing between repositioning and new development
Ivan Goodman, Head of Development and ESG, Irongate Group
15:55

LEASING PANEL | Securing occupiers in a performance-driven portfolio

This panel reframes leasing as an operational partnership, exploring how landlords and occupiers align on throughput, efficiency and future capability—not just rent—to drive long-term value. Landlords, fund managers and occupiers discuss how portfolios are winning and retaining tenants by enabling business performance, flexibility and scalable growth.

  • Beyond rent: aligning leasing structures with occupier performance, uptime and delivery
  • Designing assets for retention: power, automation, expansion pathways
  • Embedding optionality: how reuse, reconfiguration and short-to-medium term agility
Panelists include:
Rosemary Tran, Deputy Fund Manager, APPFI, Lendlease
James Hackett, Head of Asset Services, Charter Hall
Melissa Gardner, Portfolio Manager, Logistics, The GPT Group
Moderated by:
Jeremy Cooper, Director, Industrial Occupier Services, Savills Australia
16:35

Chairs conclusion and Day 1 close

As the demand for logistics services rises, the design and development of warehouses are critical to supporting adaptability and efficiency. This panel will examine how modern shed developments are evolving to meet changing logistics needs, focusing on automation-readiness, sustainability, and multi-storey options.

  • Creating automation-ready, flexible layouts that evolve with logistics demands.
  • Prioritizing worker-centric design, sustainability, and energy-efficient infrastructure
  • Multi-storey- reviewing market developments and prospects for growth
Jennifer Cook, Independent Non-Executive Director, Centuria Property Funds No.2
16:40 - 17:40

Networking drinks

Day 2 | Asset Management and Occupier Value

08:30

Networking coffee 

09:00

Chair’s welcome

Leah Ong, Head of Property, InfraBuild

PORTFOLIO VALUE

09:10

US industrial demand outlook and the next phase of network growth

Drawing on US market data and portfolio analytics, this session explores the structural forces shaping industrial demand, the strategic importance of last-mile logistics, and the long-term outlook for the sector.

  • Key structural drivers of US industrial demand and logistics network expansion
  • The strategic role of last-mile assets in modern distribution systems
  • Long-term outlook for the US I&L sector and implications for investors and developers
Matthew Rand, MD, Research & Analytics, Link Logistics Real Estate, USA
09:30

SPOTLIGHT | Optimising defence estates for operational readiness

This presentation examines how strategic planning and early estate design decisions ensure defence properties remain functional, adaptable, and mission-ready as technology and logistics requirements evolve.

  • Balancing capital with operational performance, adaptability, and lifecycle management
  • Designing facilities that can integrate automation, energy efficiency, and sustainability
  • Understanding current operational requirements versus future needs in five to ten years
Jessica Rankin, Head of Trade Controls, Security and Facilities, Babcock International
09:50

PANEL | Building an operating platform for industrial & logistics portfolios

Designed for strategists, the discussion explores how institutional I&L platforms are structured to drive performance, resilience and capital efficiency across cycles.

  • Building an operating platform mindset across industrial and logistics assets
  • Facility management and operational asset management for maintenance
  • Lease and customer strategy as drivers of portfolio durability and long-term growth
Panelists include:
Georgina Emanuel, Investment Manager, I&L , Lendlease
Antoinette Cardona, Senior Asset Manager, 151 Property
Dan Goodrum, Asset & Leasing Manager, Centennial
Moderated by:
Joana Villaflor, Senior Asset Manager, I&L, Charter Hall
10:30

Morning networking break

ASSET MANAGEMENT

11:10

ROUNDTABLE SESSION

These moderated roundtables of up to 25 participants bring together property leaders, asset managers, and facility leaders to explore how new tech practices drive operational outcomes and income resilience. Sessions encourage practical discussion on asset-level decision-making, maintenance strategies, service delivery, and integration with asset management KPIs.

1 – AI warehouses: The next performance frontier for industrial assets
Vanessa Rader, Head of Research, Ray White Group
2 – Self-storage as a capital allocation strategy in industrial and logistics
Makala Ffrench Castelli, CEO, Self Storage Association of Australia
3 – Transport infrastructure corridors as managed platforms
Victoria Oszko, Senior Property Manager, ARTC
4 – Automation, manufacturing and vertical integration
Zoran Trimcevski, Head of Property, Hickory
5 – Investing in last-mile logistics operational performance
Clint Francis, National Operations Manager, Logistics, GPT Group
6 - Investing across New Zealand’s I&L market
Nick Maier, GM Strategic Developments, Calder Stewart, NZ
7 – Value Add Investment - Unlocking value in ageing assets
Clare Coleman, Asset & Development Manager, Wentworth Capital
11:50

FIRESIDE CHAT | Developing mixed use industrial precincts with community value

This session explores how industrial precincts are evolving to integrate work, retail, and community functions, creating environments that attract and retain tenants while delivering long-term asset value. It highlights practical strategies for embedding social infrastructure and enhancing user experience.

  • Embedding social infrastructure to support workers and the surrounding community
  • Designing precincts that elevate tenant and workforce experience
  • Balancing operational performance with long-term asset value
Anthony O’Neill, GM – Development, Frasers Property Industrial
Justine Hanley, Portfolio Manager, Asset Management, Frasers Property Industrial
12:10

Networking lunch break

PERFORMANCE DRIVERS

13:10

CASE STUDY | Warehouse Automation – technology, people and ROI

Automation is transforming warehouse operations for competitive advantage. You cannot ignore it. This session examines how organisations can introduce automation technologies that are portable and adaptable, while maximising return on investment.

  • Evaluating ROI and business case for automation in short- and long-term leases
  • Selecting technology that is flexible, portable, and adjustable to changing needs
  • Impact on workforce when process shifts from manual to automated systems
Sean Ledbury, Director, Prological
13:30

DELIVERY PANEL | Operating industrial portfolios

This panel explores how owners and occupiers manage large industrial portfolios day to day—balancing cost, service, risk, and long-term value across multiple sites. Speakers share how operational, leasing, and development decisions come together in practice to deliver consistent performance for both investors and occupiers.

  • Managing a value-driven strategy during market and operational disruptions
  • Standardisation versus local flexibility: tailoring approaches across multiple sites
  • Aligning property operations with broader business and supply chain objectives
Panelists include:
Claire Fletcher, Divisional Asset Manager, Stockland
Roland Reid, Head of Property, ANZ, Holcim
Moderated by:
Morgan Evans, National Director, Tenant Advisory L&I, Cushman & Wakefield
14:10

AMENITIES PANEL | Occupiers - Optimising workplace amenities and the precinct

Workshops, warehouses and industrial precincts are workplaces for thousands of people every day. The panel will explore how staff facilities, thoughtful design and active management can improve workforce outcomes while strengthening tenant relationships and asset performance.

  • Connecting facility design and delivery to workforce safety, productivity and retention
  • Rethinking the workplace – from lighting and ventilation to amenities and green space
  • Preparing for automation and dark facilities on operational assets and workplaces
Panelists include:
Ivan Goodman, Head of Development and ESG, Irongate Group
Andrew Thai, National Sustainability Manager, Frasers Property Australia
Melissa Weller, General Manager, Healthy Heads in Trucks & Sheds
Emma Thomas, Head of ESG, Aware Real Estate
Moderated by:
Craig Jones, Chief Commercial Officer, MSS Group
14:50

Chairs conclusions

Leah Ong, Head of Property, InfraBuild
15:00

Close of Summit

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WHO ATTENDS?

This Summit is designed for senior decision-makers across the industrial real estate ecosystem:

  • Investors, private equity and infrastructure funds
  • Industrial developers, landowners and REITs
  • Fund managers, asset managers and portfolio owners
  • Tenants, occupiers, 3PLs and logistics operators
  • Construction, project management and delivery partners
  • Warehouse automation, robotics and intralogistics providers
  • Energy, utilities and sustainability solution providers
  • Technology, data and digital platform providers
  • Capital, finance and transaction advisors

WHO SHOULD PARTNER?

If you are involved in the following areas, our attendees would like to hear from you:

  • Capital markets, valuation & advisory services
  • Engineering, project management & construction firms
  • Industrial design, architecture & planning specialists
  • Energy providers, grid connection experts & renewable solutions
  • Electrification, microgrid, solar, battery & energy-efficiency technologies
  • Automation, robotics, IoT & smart warehouse systems
  • Property management platforms, EAM, digital twins & data-driven asset tools
  • Refrigeration, HVAC, temperature-controlled systems & building performance
  • Security, access control, fire protection & risk management systems
  • Materials handling, racking, logistics equipment & warehouse solutions
  • Legal, planning & regulatory advisory services
  • Freight, transport, intermodal & infrastructure partners
  • Consultancy firms specialising in sustainability, ESG, precinct development
  • Fit-out, FF&E, industrial equipment, safety & maintenance solutions

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Getting there

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  • Venue

    Doltone House Darling Island

  • Address

    48 Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont NSW 2009

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