In today’s rapidly evolving development landscape, looking beyond our borders for innovation and inspiration is more important than ever, especially when it comes to masterplan communities. International markets offer powerful insights on what it takes to create places that are not only functional, but thriving, connected, and enduring. Two standout examples from the US — Summerlin in Las Vegas and Lakewood Ranch in Sarasota — have become gold standards in masterplanned community development, consistently topping national rankings and sales charts. So, what sets them apart? And more importantly, how can we apply their winning strategies to the Australian context?

Australia's development landscape is in constant flux, shaped by ambitious policy commitments from the government and a looming federal election. While many existing initiatives aim to address critical issues like housing affordability and sustainability, they also present emerging challenges and opportunities that developers must navigate strategically.

Tweed Shire Council have released a Draft Options Paper, Growth Management and Housing Strategy. It acknowledges that the Tweed is the fastest growing LGA in NSW with an additional 31,182 persons projected in the next 20 years, reaching 128,333 persons by 2041. The Tweed is in a housing crisis, experiencing, as much of Australia is, housing not meeting community needs.

Sydney is on the path to become an exemplar global city, not because of any prowess around the planning system, but the potential that has been presented by one of the most significant infrastructure programs shaping future investment of any capital city in Australia over the last 10 years. As the past and first Chief Planner for the NSW Department of Planning and Environment this might be considered a surprise statement.