At SEMZ, we’re proud to be at the forefront of driving urban transformation through our Strategic Property Advisory Services, particularly on complex brownfield urban renewal projects for Public and Not-for-Profit Sector clients. These projects require significant expertise, collaborative planning, and a focus on outcomes that serve both community and commercial needs.
With decades of collective experience, our team has consistently delivered advisory services that help landowners navigate the landscape of urban renewal. From revitalising underutilised land to delivering community-aligned development outcomes, we understand the complexity involved—and how to overcome it.
Key Challenges of Brownfield Urban Renewal
Our work has identified a core set of challenges that clients face when embarking on urban renewal projects. These include:
- Decision-making, often within diverse and layered governance structures
- Establishing viability and feasibility of project outcomes
- Navigating market conditions and funding constraints
- Managing the replacement of essential infrastructure like car parks
- Preparing to partner effectively with the private sector
- Understanding technical and legal constraints
- Identifying and mitigating key project risks
- Managing Project risks
- Engaging stakeholders
- Adopting the right strategic approach from the outset
How SEMZ Delivers
How we address each of these critical challenges:
- Decision-Making
Public and Not-for-Profit landowners often operate with complex governance structures not traditionally focused on property transactions and development. SEMZ brings clarity by aligning our project workplans with clients’ decision-making frameworks and ensuring key information is delivered at the right time.
Our work on the Wesley Place (130 Little Collins St) project and Birchalls Building in Launceston demonstrates how we successfully supported client decision-making to unlock project progress.
- Viability and Feasibility
Defining what constitutes a “viable project” for non-developer clients is a recurring challenge. We work closely with stakeholders from the outset to align expectations and ensure financial and delivery assumptions are realistic.
Our approach ensures a solid foundation for successful outcomes—as demonstrated again in Wesley Place, where feasibility modelling was critical before engaging the development market.
- Market Conditions and Funding
We help clients respond strategically to dynamic market conditions by balancing income-generating and non-commercial components within masterplans.
With deep private and public sector funding expertise, we also guide clients in securing state, federal, and private funding mechanisms—particularly in the social and affordable housing space.
- Replacement of Car Parks
Urban renewal projects often require the replacement of existing car parks, impacting feasibility and design. We work with clients to determine the optimal number, type, and location of replacement car parking that balances cost, function, and urban design goals.
- Being Private Sector Ready
Private sector partners seek clarity, confidence, and value. SEMZ prepares clients to engage with the development market by refining project propositions, building governance credibility, and creating compelling investment cases.
Our extensive industry relationships developed over the past two decades mean we can position projects to attract top-tier developers and partners.
- Technical and Legal Constraints
Identifying land-related constraints early is essential. SEMZ ensures technical due diligence is prioritised, helping clients avoid delays and commercial setbacks. We proactively manage title restrictions, planning constraints, and regulatory approvals.
- Managing Project Risks
SEMZ embeds risk management into every stage of project delivery. Through structured reporting and real-time monitoring, we help clients stay ahead of emerging risks—from market shifts to site complications—enabling informed, proactive decision-making.
- Program and Workplan Management
Large projects need coordinated, structured program oversight. SEMZ’s detailed workplan development and weekly project task tracking ensure momentum is maintained and priorities remain clear.
Our approach has been proven in major projects such as East Village, Wesley Place, and Birchalls Building.
- Stakeholder Engagement
Meaningful engagement is critical—whether it’s local government, commercial partners, or the community. We help clients plan and execute tailored engagement strategies to ensure stakeholders are appropriately informed, consulted, and involved.
- Taking the Right Approach
We believe that a well-considered approach defines project success. SEMZ’s methodology includes:
- Establishing clear project objectives and success metrics
- Defining “value” across commercial and non-commercial dimensions
- Aligning stakeholders and setting realistic parameters
- Building strong governance structures
- Providing clear, robust reporting to support decision-making
Why SEMZ?
Our reputation as a trusted strategic advisor stems from our track record of success and complex understanding of the public and not-for-profit landscape. We don’t just advise—we partner with our clients to deliver tailored, sustainable, and community-aligned urban renewal outcomes.
Whether you’re revitalising a single site or reshaping an entire precinct, SEMZ has the people, relationships, and insight to bring your vision to life.