Next on The Land Pioneers Podcast, we’re honoured to host Craig Holden, Chair of South Australia’s State Planning Commission. The State Planning Commission is an independent body providing advice and leadership on all aspects of planning and development in South Australia. The Commission is also the state’s principal development assessment and planning advisory body.

Join us as Craig shares his insights into the future of the Greater Adelaide region. With Adelaide’s population expected to increase to over 670,000 by 2050, Craig discusses how the GARP will address critical issues like housing supply, economic development, and environmental sustainability.

As Chair of the South Australian State Planning Commission, Craig is steering the development of the Greater Adelaide Regional Plan (GARP), a comprehensive strategy aimed at shaping the region’s future growth over the next 30 years. Under Craig’s leadership, the State Planning Commission published the GARP document to create sustainable urban expansion, housing affordability, and infrastructure development, all while safeguarding the environment and enhancing community well-being. The vision of the paper will ensure that Greater Adelaide can accommodate its projected population increase of over 670,000 people by 2050 while preserving its liveability, natural assets, and cultural heritage.

Key Insights from the Podcast

In this podcast, Craig Holden, Chair of the South Australian State Planning Commission, discusses major reforms in South Australia, focusing on introducing the Planning, Development, and Infrastructure (PDI) Act in 2016. This reform was crucial in streamlining local council planning regulations into a unified state-wide system, thereby enhancing transparency and efficiency in urban development. The central piece of this transformation is the Planning and Design Code, a digital system that simplifies planning processes, improves community engagement and offers developers greater certainty.

One of the major highlights of the episode is the discussion on the Greater Adelaide Regional Plan (GARP), which provides a 30-year vision to accommodate population growth while balancing sustainability. The plan identifies key growth areas like the northern suburbs, Murray Bridge, and Victor Harbour, ensuring expansion while safeguarding agricultural lands and green spaces. In line with this, the plan emphasises medium-density housing and promotes biodiversity, aligning urban growth with the community’s well-being.

Another critical aspect Craig addresses is infrastructure coordination. The Housing Infrastructure Planning Unit is pivotal in aligning infrastructure developments like water and transport services with new land releases. This approach prevents supply bottlenecks, ensuring essential services are available as housing and industrial developments expand. Craig’s leadership ensures that the Greater Adelaide Regional Plan fosters sustainable and balanced growth, preparing South Australia for future challenges.

Click here to learn more about Craig and the Greater Adelaide Regional Plan

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Our upcoming guest on the next episode is Anne Baker, a dynamic working mother and successful business owner. As the founder and director of Two Crowns Marketing, Anne exemplifies the balance between entrepreneurship and family life, bringing passion, resilience, and innovation to the world of marketing and communications. Her dedication to both her family and her clients makes her a relatable and inspiring figure in the industry.

With extensive experience across the marketing and communications landscape, Anne Baker has built an impressive portfolio of achievements. She holds an undergrad degree in Communications/Journalism from Edith Cowan University, a Master’s in Business (Marketing) from RMIT University and advanced credentials from Harvard Business School and, UNSW, reinforcing her expertise.

In 2014, after years of working with some of Australia’s largest developers, Anne decided to launch her own business, founding Two Crowns Marketing. Under her leadership as Director, the consultancy has grown into a top-tier firm known for delivering tailored marketing and communication solutions to property clients. Her ability to craft innovative marketing strategies has made Two Crowns a sought-after name in the industry.

Beyond her business success, Anne has demonstrated her leadership skills through board experience and serves as a mentor. She is also an annual awards judge for the Australian Marketing Institute, reflecting her commitment to elevating industry standards.

Adding to her impressive portfolio, Anne now serves as Marketing Director for the Heatherbrae 1854 restoration project, a role she balances with running a podcast under the same banner. Her continued dedication to marketing excellence, brand development, and community engagement places her at the forefront of the industry.

Key Insights from the Podcast

In this video, Anne takes us through her remarkable journey from corporate marketing roles to becoming a leading consultant and entrepreneur in the property development industry. With a master’s degree in business and further studies at Harvard Business School, Anne honed her expertise at companies like Colonial First State Group, Cbus Property, FKPR Corp, and Mirvac, managing national projects with resounding success. In 2014, she made the bold decision to launch her own firm, Two Crowns Marketing, which has since flourished under her leadership, providing bespoke marketing and strategic communication solutions for prominent property developers.

Anne also highlights her role in some of Australia’s most prestigious property projects, including her significant work with Mirvac on the award-winning Eastbourne project, a high-end development that set new benchmarks in the industry. She explains how a collaborative team effort, contributed to its success in a challenging post-GFC market. Her experience navigating these complex campaigns sharpened her skills and solidified her reputation as a marketing leader in the property sector.

Throughout the conversation, Anne candidly reflects on the challenges of balancing a demanding career with motherhood and building a successful business from scratch. Her journey is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and a passion for excellence in property marketing. Now, with over 10 years at the helm of her own company, Anne pushes boundaries while mentoring others and contributing to industry thought leadership as a judge for the Australian Marketing Institute awards.

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/

Next up on The Land Pioneers Podcast is Pat Gerace, a well-known personality in the land development industry in South Australia. After graduating from Flinders University with a degree in economics, Pat went on to Charles Darwin University to earn an associate’s degree in law.

Starting his career in banking, Pat transitioned into government working as a Ministerial Adviser and contributing to major infrastructure projects like the North-South Corridor and the Adelaide Oval. He also championed significant long-term strategic initiatives, including the development of Adelaide’s cycling and walking Greenways.

Join us as we look into Pat’s remarkable career, his most important projects, and the ideas behind his creative approach to urban development. Don’t miss this thought-provoking interview featuring a real industry leader.


In 2015, Pat took on the role of CEO at the Urban Development Institute of Australia (SA), advocating for planning and development policies on behalf of large-scale land developers. Now, as CEO of GREENHILL and GDstudia, a leading civil engineering company and Landscape Architecture and Urban Design studio, Pat leverages his extensive experience to drive impactful projects across South Australia and beyond.

His enthusiasm for industry engagement, advocacy, and building high-performance teams drives his leadership of the GREENHILL team today. He is essential in helping customers navigate legislative and public policy frameworks so that large-scale infrastructure projects can be completed effectively.

Pat inspires the upcoming generation of engineering professionals as he leads GREENHILL to new heights and has an impact that goes beyond the projects he manages.


Key Insights from the Podcast

In this episode, Pat Gerace shares his distinguished career journey in land development, offering profound insights into his transition from investment banking to urban planning. Starting with an economics degree, Pat’s early career at Bankers Trust was marked by adaptability and leadership as he navigated various corporate restructures, including transitions through Deutsche Bank and JP Morgan. His shift to government service as an adviser to Patrick Conlon, the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, highlighted his commitment to impactful projects. Here, Pat was instrumental in driving community-focused developments, including critical infrastructure like the Elder Smith Road at Mawson Lakes, demonstrating his dedication to enhancing local connectivity and community well-being.

Pat’s role as CEO of the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) is a testament to his expertise and leadership in urban planning. During the podcast, he discusses his strategic vision for the UDIA, emphasising sustainable growth and effective collaboration between the private sector and government. He credits mentorship from industry leaders like Patrick Conlon and various UDIA presidents for shaping his strategic approach to land development. Pat’s focus on innovative urban solutions and community-driven projects has positioned him as a leading voice in the field, advocating for policies that balance economic development with community needs.

Pat also reflects on his involvement in high-profile projects such as the development of Adelaide’s cycling infrastructure and the iconic Adelaide Oval redevelopment. He highlights the importance of collaboration with government agencies to achieve transformative urban development. As CEO of GREENHILL & GDstudia, Pat continues t

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/