At Therefor Group, we like to recognise our respected thought leaders and their impacts on the industry. With expertise, experience, and a unique perspective, our team continues to guide and inspire our people, clients, and the wider community. Over the two years, our leaders have shared their insights across radio, television, print media, and through industry presentations, conferences, and workshops—leaving a lasting impression on the industry.
Leading the Conversation
Natalie Rayment, a passionate leaders who is widely regarded as an expert in her field, appeared on Channel Nine’s Weekend Bulletin to discuss accessibility and community benefits for Brisbane, highlighting potential Olympic stadiums. Natalie also joined Jackson Hills from QShelter on ABC Radio to promote the groundbreaking YIFBY (Yes In Faith’s Backyard) initiative, a proposal for model-scale social and affordable housing on faith-based land. By December 2024, this vision became reality, as the State Government enacted the YIFBY reform, paving the way for over 10,000 homes on church and charity-owned properties.
Amy Marsden also took center stage at numerous events, sharing her expertise on liveability and urban planning. In October, she spoke at Liveability in SEQ: Changing the Dialogue for Density, where she explored insights from the Australian Liveability Census. In November, Amy captivated audiences at the Suburban Futures Conference as she delved into the planning challenges of the Paint Factory project. She capped off the year at Beyond 2032: Building Brisbane’s Legacy, offering bold and transformative ideas on shaping Brisbane as a global destination.
Workshops and Panels
Our leaders have consistently championed meaningful discussions for pressing issues. In 2023, Natalie spoke at the UDIA National Congress panel about the housing crisis, sharing her insights on this critical issue and what we can do to build our way out. In 2024, she participated in the Brisbane Dialogues panel on housing policy, tackling topics like affordability, homeownership, and YIMBY with great insight.
Brent O’Neill, a master of collaborative workshops, led a creative session with the Cairns Regional Council in August 2024, helping shape the Towards 2050 Growth Strategy and Directions Paper. This workshop brought community voices to the forefront, ensuring people-led change remained a key focus.
Conference Highlights
Our involvement in Urbanity 2024 was a standout moment. As a Gold Partner and Market Hall sponsor, Therefor Group made a strong impact. On Day 1, Natalie joined a main-stage panel discussing “Housing Done Differently” alongside Tim Riley of Property Collectives and Panos Miltiadou of Lucent Group. Alastair and Brent led a think tank workshop on in-fill density, while Dan capped off the evening by presenting the Excellence in Community Engagement Award, which we proudly sponsored. The final day saw Natalie moderating a spirited panel debate on housing crisis solutions—an engaging end to an incredible conference.
In September, a team of our planners attended 2024 PIA State Conference in K’Gari. The event was a major highlight for Therefor Group, with three of our thought leaders delivering compelling presentations. Natalie spoke on “Winning the Suburbs,” with planner Keana offering insights on “Empowering Tomorrow: Engaging Youth Generations to Shape Urban Environments.” Assistant Planner Tom rounded off the week with his session on “Yes in Faith’s Backyard: A Divine Housing Intervention.”
Looking Ahead
As 2025 kicks off, we are building on an exceptional year of achievements. Watch this space as we showcase more achievements and insights from our thought leaders.
