Australia’s housing shortage isn’t just about planning approvals or red tape — it’s about money.&nbsp;In this episode, commercial finance expert Jean-Pierre Gortan, Joint Founder of Simplicity Loans & Advisory, joins Veronica Morgan and Chris Bates to unpack the financial bottlenecks preventing new homes from being built, even in areas crying out for supply.Jean-Pierre draws on more than two decades of experience structuring complex, multi-lender deals to explain why so many developments are stuck in limbo. From Parramatta to Penrith, he reveals how post-COVID construction cost blowouts, tighter lending standards, and broken feasibility models have made many projects impossible to fund — even with demand at record highs.They discuss how non-bank lenders are filling the void left by traditional banks, why build-to-rent projects still struggle to stack up in high-cost cities like Sydney, and what state governments are doing through rezoning, TOD corridors, and density incentives to unlock supply. Jean-Pierre also shares insights into how the market differs between NSW, Victoria, and Queensland, and what policy shifts could finally make housing delivery viable again.This is a candid, ground-level look at the economics of housing supply — and a reminder that Australia’s housing crisis won’t be solved by planning reforms alone, but by rethinking how development is financed.<h2>Episode Highlights</h2>00:00 – Introduction02:12 — How COVID Cost Blowouts Crushed Feasibility03:51 — When Projects Don’t Stack Up Financially05:22 — Why Government Fixes Aren’t Solving Supply15:38 — Non-Bank Lenders: Who’s Funding Projects Now18:02 — Developers Adapting to a Tougher Market21:32 — How Finance Shapes Future Housing Supply25:53 — Residential vs Commercial: Shared Challenges26:27 — Why Banks Pulled Back from Construction Loans28:18 — Can Government Programs Reignite Building?29:48 — Pre-Sales Pressure: A Hidden Project Killer31:10 — Quality, Oversight, and Building Regulation Costs32:39 — Red Tape and Rezoning: The Slow Path to Supply36:40 –  Transport Oriented Development (TOD) and LMR Zones43:08 — Property Dumbo: Overconfidence in Feasibility44:45 — Final Thoughts: Funding and the Road Ahead<h2>Links</h2><ul><li><a href="https://www.simplicity.net.au/key-staff/jean-pierre-gortan/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Jean-Pierre Gortan (website bio)</a></li><li><a href="https://spatialportal.dpie.nsw.gov.au/portal/apps/experiencebuilder/experience/?_gl=1%2A1kjy8va%2A_ga%2AOTc4OTM2MTcwLjE3NTM4NTM5NTc.%2A_ga_EM0GYT3QMX%2AczE3NTQyODM3ODckbzMkZzAkdDE3NTQyODM3OTIkajU1JGwwJGgw&id=c53d5767b677454c8a26d6790a296bc2" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LMR Viewer</a></li></ul> <h2>About the Guest</h2>Jean-Pierre Gortan is the Joint Founder of Simplicity Loans & Advisory and one of Australia’s most respected figures in commercial finance. A back-to-back winner of the Australian Broker of the Year Award by MPA Magazine, Jean-Pierre has built a national reputation for solving some of the country’s most complex funding challenges with creativity, precision, and integrity.With more than two decades of experience across property, business, and development finance, he has been instrumental in steering Simplicity’s growth into one of Australia’s leading independent advisory firms. His expertise lies in structuring sophisticated, multi-lender transactions — from nine-figure refinances to bespoke development facilities — all with a focus on delivering exceptional client outcomes.Beyond finance, Jean-Pierre is a passionate advocate for community causes, having raised hundreds of thousands of dollars through initiatives such as the Larapinta Stage Race, the CEO Sleepout, and his ongoing support for the Women’s Resilience Centre. A proud father of two daughters, he believes true success lies in creating meaningful impact — for clients, colleagues, and the wider community — and in using business as a force for good.<h2>Connect with JP</h2><ul><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jpgortan/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></li><li><a href="https://www.simplicity.net.au/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Simplicity Loans and Advisory (Website)</a></li></ul> <h2>Resources</h2><ul><li>Visit our website: <a href="https://www.theelephantintheroom.com.au" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.theelephantintheroom.com.au</a></li><li>If you have any questions or would like to be featured on our show, contact us at:</li><li>The Elephant in the Room Property Podcast - <a href="mailto:questions@theelephantintheroom.com.au" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">questions@theelephantintheroom.com.au</a></li><li>Looking for a Sydney Buyers Agent? <a href="http://www.gooddeeds.com.au/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.gooddeeds.com.au</a></li><li>Work with Veronica: <a href="http://www.veronicamorgan.com.au" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.veronicamorgan.com.au</a></li><li>Looking for a Mortgage Broker? <a href="http://alcove.com.au" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">alcove.com.au</a></li><li>Work with Chris: <a href="mailto:chrisbates@alcove.com.au" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">chrisbates@alcove.com.au</a>&nbsp;</li></ul> Enjoyed the podcast? Don't miss out on what's yet to come! Hit that subscription button, spread the word, and join us for more insightful discussions in real estate. Your journey starts now!<ul><li>Subscribe on YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@theelephantintheroom-podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/@theelephantintheroom-podcast</a></li><li>Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/the-elephant-in-the-room-property-podcast/id1384822719" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/the-elephant-in-the-room-property-podcast/id1384822719</a></li><li>Subscribe on Spotify: <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3Ge1626dgnmK0RyKPcXjP0?si=26cde394fa854765" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://open.spotify.com/show/3Ge1626dgnmK0RyKPcXjP0?si=26cde394fa854765</a></li></ul> If you enjoyed today’s podcast, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the show! There’s more to come, so we hope to have you along with us on this journey!See you on the inside,Veronica & Chris

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Financing the Future: Why Projects Are Stalling Across Australia

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