Welcome to the grand finale of Season 2 of The Land Pioneers Podcast! This marks not just the final episode of the season, but our last release for 2025.

And we’ve saved one of the very best for last.

We’re excited to feature a standout guest in the world of property marketing and community building — Judi Carr, founder of Property Republic and co-founder of PropSquad. With over 30 years of industry experience, Judi brings a fresh, honest, and practical approach to how land estates are planned, promoted, and brought to life.

In this episode, she shares real stories, actionable insights, and powerful lessons on why great communities start with great communication — and how smarter, simpler marketing strategies can drive long-term success.

Don’t miss this inspiring episode for this season!

Full Episode

Judi Carr has worked with some of Australia’s most prominent property developers, including Stockland, Lendlease, Mirvac, and Lifestyle Communities. In 2012, she started Property Republic to help developers put the customer at the centre of every decision. More recently, she co-founded PropSquad — a clever new way to let residents help market their neighbourhoods by sharing their experiences and getting rewarded for it.

Judi’s work is about building strong connections between developers and communities — and it’s based on honest conversations, not just marketing slogans. In this episode, she explains how PropSquad came to life, what developers often get wrong about branding and communication, and how to keep things simple while delivering outstanding results.

Key Insights from the Podcast

From Industry Leader to Independent Thinker: Judi’s early work with UDIA and Stockland gave her a front-row seat to how big communities are built. But she quickly saw a gap — too many decisions were being made without hearing from the people who would actually live there.

Why She Started Property Republic: Judi wanted to bring a fresh approach to project marketing — one focused more on the people than the packaging. Her goal is to help developers truly understand their buyers and build places where people are proud to call home.

The Story Behind PropSquad: Frustrated by outdated “refer-a-friend” programs, Judi and her business partner Monika, created PropSquad — an easy-to-use platform that helps residents become community ambassadors. It’s simple: share your love for where you live, invite others to check it out, and get rewarded if they make a purchase.

Curious how PropSquad is changing the game? Check out the Eagle Vision Propsquad Link!

A Real Example — Woodlea: In just 10 weeks, PropSquad helped generate over $5.5 million in sales for the Woodlea community in Melbourne’s west. Judi explains how the program works, how it stays fair and secure, and why it’s proving to be more powerful than traditional advertising.

Building Real Communities Takes Commitment: Judi discusses openly what happens when developers reduce community support during tough times — and why short-term decisions can cause long-term damage. The best projects, she says, are the ones that invest in people from day one.

What Works (and What Do

Join Our Community: We invite you to participate in this enlightening voyage. Whether you’re here to gain industry insights or find guidance on your professional journey, Land Pioneers is your compass in the world of land development. Subscribe and become an integral part of our community today. Visit https://landpioneerspodcast.com/

Welcome to Episode 20 of The Land Pioneers Podcast. We’re joined by James Polacek, Director at Polly Property and one of South Australia’s most respected voices in land project marketing.

With a deep, practical understanding of both broadacre and infill developments, James brings a uniquely grounded perspective on what it takes to sell, scale, and create successful communities in a changing market. In this episode, he shares hard-won insights on the evolution of display homes, the shifting dynamics of regional migration in South Australia, and the traits young professionals need to succeed in a project marketing career.

If you’ve ever wondered how land developers adapt to buyer behaviour, regional pressure points, or digital-first marketing environments, this is an unmissable conversation.

Let’s dive in!

Full Episode

James Polacek’s experience in land development runs deep. At Polly Property, he leads a nimble and collaborative team focused on navigating the real-world complexities of sales, product delivery, and customer trust in high-growth markets like Mount Barker, Murray Bridge, and Metro Adelaide.

In this conversation, James reflects on how buyer expectations have shifted—from once relying on the “must-see” display home to now trusting digital representations and virtual tools. He discusses the reality behind ROI-driven decisions on display infrastructure and how developers are adapting to deliver more with less.

James also breaks down the evolving drivers of regional migration. He highlights how affordability, once a leading factor for towns like Mount Barker, is now being overtaken by lifestyle decisions and work-from-home capabilities. Meanwhile, towns like Murray Bridge are seeing more permanent, employment-based population growth rather than commuter-dependent demand.

Finally, for those looking to enter the industry, James offers a masterclass on what it really takes to succeed. His top three traits are patience, deep product understanding, and an unwavering commitment to collaboration.

Key Insights from the Podcast

1. From Display Homes to Digital Confidence
   James explains how the traditional role of display homes is shifting. While still useful, many buyers are now confident enough to commit without physically stepping into a show home—driven by digital fluency and changing developer priorities.
2. Regional Growth with Real Purpose
   Towns like Mount Barker and Murray Bridge are no longer just “affordable alternatives”. James discusses how lifestyle change, infrastructure investment, and local employment are redefining the growth story in these key regions.
3. The Reality of ROI in Land Sales
   With rising costs, developers are questioning the return on traditional marketing tools like display suites. James outlines how this conversation has evolved and how savvy operators are adapting with leaner, smarter models.
4. Patience Over Pressure
   Newcomers to the industry take note: James emphasises that success in project marketing isn’t about fast wins—it’s about consistency, relationship-building, and the long game.
5. Mastery Through Learning
   Unlike selling a renovated villa, land sales demand a granular understanding of product design, pricing, buildability, and staging. James explains why true professionals invest in learning the details.

Learn more about James and Polly Property

Join Our Community: We invite you to participate in this enlightening voyage. Whether you’re here to gain industry insights or find guidance on your professional journey, Land Pioneers is your compass in the world of land development. Subscribe and become an integral part of our community today. Visit https://landpioneerspodcast.com/

Welcome to Episode 19 of The Land Pioneers Podcast. We’re joined by a dynamic leader whose entrepreneurial mind and strategic foresight have helped build one of Australia’s most successful land development firms—Anthony Braunthal, co-founder and director at Resi Ventures.

With over 25 years of experience spanning government, corporate enterprise, and a string of thriving startups, Anthony brings a rare breadth of knowledge to the land development world. In this episode, we dive into the story behind Resi Ventures’ billion-dollar pipeline, uncovering the mindset and methods that have powered its rise.

From early beginnings at the ATO to tech success stories and now transformative land partnerships, Anthony shares how a systems-driven approach, a relentless work ethic, and a commitment to continuous personal growth laid the foundation for long-term success.

Whether you’re scaling a property business or looking to sharpen your leadership edge, this conversation offers timeless lessons on resilience, strategy, and trust-based partnerships.

Full Episode

Anthony Braunthal’s entrepreneurial journey is a powerful blend of sharp financial acumen, curiosity-driven learning, and fearless decision-making. Starting straight out of university with a role at the ATO, Anthony’s natural inclination towards understanding business models—not just auditing them—foreshadowed his future as a serial founder.

While many would have settled into a secure government career, Anthony had other ideas. With a business plan in hand and an appetite for building, he left the public sector to launch his first venture—an investor education business focused on the share market. That decision marked the beginning of a career defined by startups, strategic exits, and scalable business models across IT, HR, and ultimately—property.

His biggest leap came in 2010, when he partnered with Khurram Saeed to co-found Resi Ventures, a land development firm now holding over $1 billion in projects in its pipeline. The idea was simple but bold: partner directly with landowners to supersize their returns. Together, they created a new model that married Khurram’s profound property knowledge with Anthony’s financial and operational expertise.

In this conversation, Anthony reflects on the importance of trust-based partnerships, the reality of risk-taking, and the invisible systems that support long-term growth. He opens up about his meditation practice, his use of data-driven performance tools like WHOOP, and the daily disciplines that keep him sharp, calm, and effective in high-pressure roles.

What stands out is not just Anthony’s track record but also his philosophy. He believes in continuous and never-ending improvement, surrounding himself with talent, building culture, and scaling only what’s proven. At Resi Ventures, this mindset shows up in everything from recruitment to project delivery.

Learn more about Anthony and Resi Ventures

Join Our Community: We invite you to participate in this enlightening voyage. Whether you’re here to gain industry insights or find guidance on your professional journey, Land Pioneers is your compass in the world of land development. Subscribe and become an integral part of our community today. Visit https://landpioneerspodcast.com/