Tim Riley: Pioneering community-led property development in Australia

In property development, few names are as synonymous with community impact and innovation as Tim Riley, founder of Property Collectives. Known for its commitment to transformative projects, Property Collectives stands out as Australia's leading deliberative development group. Their unique model allows people to collaboratively invest, designing and constructing their homes at cost, enjoying greater control over key aspects like location, design and quality.

A serendipitous journey into community development

Tim's journey into the world of collaborative property development wasn't planned. With a background in marketing, he found himself disillusioned by the corporate world, prompting a search for more meaningful work. “I kind of stumbled into this, to be honest... I worked out pretty quickly that flogging mobile phones before the iPhone or whatever I was doing in corporate was not what I wanted to be doing.” This realisation led him to explore property development through a more personal and impactful lens.

The genesis of Property Collectives came from a simple yet ambitious project: building four townhouses in Northcote with friends. The success of this project sparked an idea for Tim: “maybe other people might be interested in doing this?” With a makeshift sign on the street and a hopeful vision, he attracted like-minded individuals eager to be part of something innovative.

Empowering communities through collaborative building

Property Collectives empowers groups of people to engage directly in the development process. This method not only saves costs but also instils a profound sense of ownership and connection within the community. This approach fundamentally differs from traditional developments, which are typically characterised by top-down decision-making and profit-driven motives.

Tim emphasised his desire to make an impact. “I've realised that you can combine your values into what you do professionally, particularly if you find like-minded collaborators to support you. Slowly, over time, as your network grows, so do the opportunities if you can stick to the path.”

Insights from The Bunya Fund experience

Tim's experience with The Bunya Fund highlights the importance of timely and targeted financial support in the early stages of co-operative projects. “The majority of the co-operatives supported by the fund are in their early stages, where resources are typically scarce – the fund's intervention at this crucial juncture can accelerate the delivery of their impact,” he reflected.

The collaboration between Property Collectives and CoHousing Australia, particularly during the first round of The Bunya Fund, illustrates the potential of partnership in amplifying project impacts. CoHousing Australia is a co-operative that focuses on promoting community-led housing that is affordable, sustainable and socially enriching. Through this partnership, Property Collectives has been able to leverage its expertise to assist groups that have a vision but not the technical know-how to execute development projects.

During the most recent Bunya Fund Community of Practice, Tim reflected on how Property Collectives and CoHousing Australia have approached project development: “part of the challenge with community-led development is that while the resident groups are very visionary and entrepreneurial in their own way, a big barrier is that technical know-how around how to actually do developments.”

Top five tips for co-operative property development

1. Start with transparency: “Just be transparent with people and be authentic about what you do know and what you don't know,” advises Tim. Honesty lays a strong foundation for trust and collaboration in co-operative development.
2. Focus on impact: Choose projects that promise profitability and have a meaningful impact. “You can still make a good living doing things that you feel are worth doing,” Tim reflects, highlighting the importance of values-driven business practices.
3. Engage the community: Developing relationships with future residents and understanding their needs is crucial. “The relationship with CoHousing Australia has grown because as we've been developing our building group model, a number of groups have come to us that are into co-housing and wanting to create intentional communities,” says Tim.
4. Leverage professional relationships: Utilise established connections and professional networks to enhance your project's chance of success. Tim's ongoing collaboration with CoHousing Australia exemplifies how partnerships can facilitate project execution.
5. Be prepared for challenges: Acknowledge and prepare for potential obstacles from the start. “Don't try and fake it until you make it,” Tim suggests, instead advocating for preparedness and real-world problem-solving in development projects, particularly during the ideation and inception stage.

 As Property Collectives continue to navigate the landscape of community-led development, their work serves as a beacon for others in the industry, demonstrating how to effectively combine profitability with community impact.

Read Property Collective's report: How Feasible is a New Generation of Housing Co-operatives in Australia?