Jonathan O'Brien's and YIMBY Melbourne

Challenges in Melbourne's Housing Policy

Success Stories and Comparisons with Sydney

Docklands: A Controversial Development

The Missing Middle and Medium Density Housing

Balancing Heritage and Development

Planning Regulation Challenges

Developer Strategies and Urban Planning

Heritage and Housing Density

Quality Concerns in New Developments

Zoning and Urban Planning Dynamics

Economic and Social Impacts of Rezoning

Balancing Development and Community Needs

State vs. Local Control in Urban Planning

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

NIMBY vs YIMBY? Is saying “no” to change protecting community character — or blocking the homes our cities desperately need?

In this episode, we sit down with Jonathan O’Brien, lead organizer of YIMBY Melbourne, to unpack what’s at stake when communities resist — or embrace — change.

We dig into whether opposing development is simply selfish or a legitimate defense of lifestyle and character, and whether YIMBY optimism sometimes overlooks practical realities. From heritage streetscapes and leafy suburbs to missing-middle density and downsizer demand, this is a frank look at the trade-offs that come with growth.

Jonathan also explores the politics of planning: why local councils resist, why states override, and why those locked out of housing are the most under-represented stakeholders in the debate. We tackle sensitive questions about fairness: who pays when new homes aren’t built, and who loses when change does come?

If you’ve ever wondered why housing reform feels so stuck, and why both sides of the NIMBY/YIMBY divide can be right and wrong at the same time, this episode will challenge assumptions and reframe the conversation.


Episode Highlights

00:00 – Welcome

01:14 – Jonathan O'Brien's and YIMBY Melbourne

01:48 – Progress and Challenges in Melbourne's Housing Policy

03:21 – Success Stories and Comparisons with Sydney

04:44 – Docklands: A Controversial Development

07:39 – The Missing Middle and Medium Density Housing

22:06 – Balancing Heritage and Development

28:39 – Planning Regulation Challenges

30:01 – Developer Strategies and Urban Planning

31:39 – Heritage and Housing Density

32:47 – Quality Concerns in New Developments

35:07 – Zoning and Urban Planning Dynamics

38:27 – Economic and Social Impacts of Rezoning

41:53 – Balancing Development and Community Needs

50:13 – State vs. Local Control in Urban Planning

52:05 – Conclusion and Final Thoughts


About the Guest

Jonathan O’Brien is the lead organizer of YIMBY Melbourne, an advocate for smarter housing policy, and an award-winning writer and publisher. A passionate voice for effective altruism and urban reform, he works to shift the conversation around density, planning, and affordability toward more equitable outcomes.

With a background in community organizing and a commitment to evidence-based change, Jonathan brings both sharp analysis and lived experience to the often polarizing debate between NIMBYs and YIMBYs. His mission: to help shape cities that are inclusive, adaptable, and built for the next generation.

Connect with Jonathan
Website: https://jonobri.com/
YIMBY Melbourne website: https://www.yimby.melbourne/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonobridotcom/
X: https://x.com/jonobri
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonobri/

Resources
Visit our website: https://www.theelephantintheroom.com.au
If you have any questions or would like to be featured on our show, contact us at:
The Elephant in the Room Property Podcast - questions@theelephantintheroom.com.au
Looking for a Sydney Buyers Agent? https://www.gooddeeds.com.au
Work with Veronica: https://www.veronicamorgan.com.au
Looking for a Mortgage Broker? alcove.com.au
Work with Chris: chrisbates@alcove.com.au 

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!
Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theelephantintheroom-podcast
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/the-elephant-in-the-room-property-podcast/id1384822719
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Ge1626dgnmK0RyKPcXjP0?si=26cde394fa854765

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

NIMBY vs YIMBY? Is saying &ldquo;no&rdquo; to change protecting community character &mdash; or blocking the homes our cities desperately need?
In this episode, we sit down with Jonathan O&rsquo;Brien, lead organizer of YIMBY Melbourne, to unpack what&rsquo;s at stake when communities resist &mdash; or embrace &mdash; change.
We dig into whether opposing development is simply selfish or a legitimate defense of lifestyle and character, and whether YIMBY optimism sometimes overlooks practical realities. From heritage streetscapes and leafy suburbs to missing-middle density and downsizer demand, this is a frank look at the trade-offs that come with growth.
Jonathan also explores the politics of planning: why local councils resist, why states override, and why those locked out of housing are the most under-represented stakeholders in the debate. We tackle sensitive questions about fairness: who pays when new homes aren&rsquo;t built, and who loses when change does come?
If you&rsquo;ve ever wondered why housing reform feels so stuck, and why both sides of the NIMBY/YIMBY divide can be right and wrong at the same time, this episode will challenge assumptions and reframe the conversation.
 Episode Highlights
00:00 &ndash; Welcome
01:14 &ndash; Jonathan O'Brien's and YIMBY Melbourne
01:48 &ndash; Progress and Challenges in Melbourne's Housing Policy
03:21 &ndash; Success Stories and Comparisons with Sydney
04:44 &ndash; Docklands: A Controversial Development
07:39 &ndash; The Missing Middle and Medium Density Housing
22:06 &ndash; Balancing Heritage and Development
28:39 &ndash; Planning Regulation Challenges
30:01 &ndash; Developer Strategies and Urban Planning
31:39 &ndash; Heritage and Housing Density
32:47 &ndash; Quality Concerns in New Developments
35:07 &ndash; Zoning and Urban Planning Dynamics
38:27 &ndash; Economic and Social Impacts of Rezoning
41:53 &ndash; Balancing Development and Community Needs
50:13 &ndash; State vs. Local Control in Urban Planning
52:05 &ndash; Conclusion and Final Thoughts
 About the Guest
Jonathan O&rsquo;Brien is the lead organizer of YIMBY Melbourne, an advocate for smarter housing policy, and an award-winning writer and publisher. A passionate voice for effective altruism and urban reform, he works to shift the conversation around density, planning, and affordability toward more equitable outcomes.
With a background in community organizing and a commitment to evidence-based change, Jonathan brings both sharp analysis and lived experience to the often polarizing debate between NIMBYs and YIMBYs. His mission: to help shape cities that are inclusive, adaptable, and built for the next generation.
Connect with Jonathan
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Website: <a href="https://jonobri.com/">https://jonobri.com/</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">YIMBY Melbourne website: <a href="https://www.yimby.melbourne/">https://www.yimby.melbourne/</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jonobridotcom/">https://www.instagram.com/jonobridotcom/</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">X: <a href="https://x.com/jonobri">https://x.com/jonobri</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonobri/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonobri/</a></li>
</ul>
Resources
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Visit our website: https://www.theelephantintheroom.com.au</li>
<li aria-level="1">If you have any questions or would like to be featured on our show, contact us at:</li>
<ul>
<li aria-level="2">The Elephant in the Room Property Podcast - <a href="mailto:questions@theelephantintheroom.com.au">questions@theelephantintheroom.com.au</a></li>
</ul>
<li aria-level="1">Looking for a Sydney Buyers Agent? <a href="http://www.gooddeeds.com.au/">https://www.gooddeeds.com.au</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Work with Veronica: <a href="http://www.veronicamorgan.com.au">https://www.veronicamorgan.com.au</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Looking for a Mortgage Broker? <a href="http://alcove.com.au">alcove.com.au</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Work with Chris: <a href="mailto:chrisbates@alcove.com.au">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 aria-level="1">Subscribe on YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@theelephantintheroom-podcast">https://www.youtube.com/@theelephantintheroom-podcast</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/the-elephant-in-the-room-property-podcast/id1384822719">https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/the-elephant-in-the-room-property-podcast/id1384822719</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Subscribe on Spotify: <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3Ge1626dgnmK0RyKPcXjP0?si=26cde394fa854765">https://open.spotify.com/show/3Ge1626dgnmK0RyKPcXjP0?si=26cde394fa854765</a></li>
</ul>
If you enjoyed today&rsquo;s podcast, don&rsquo;t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the show! There&rsquo;s more to come, so we hope to have you along with us on this journey!
&nbsp;
See you on the inside,
Veronica &amp; Chris

Who's really in control when you buy a property?

The Elephant In The Room is where the things that no one wants to talk about, actually get talked about.  

Veronica Morgan, real estate agent, buyers agent and co-host of Foxtel’s Location Location Location Australia & Chris Bates, financial planner, mortgage broker and wealth coach have joined forces to find out what’s really going on in the world of real estate.

Veronica and Chris talk to property owners and buyers every day in their respective lines of business. They’ve observed a wide spectrum of confidence in people’s decision making ability when buying and selling property, often to the detriment of the individuals concerned. They are both fascinated by consumer behaviour and together they’re going to uncover who’s really making the decisions when you buy a property.

In each episode they get into the psyche of buyers, agents, auctioneers and other industry experts to learn the truth about how buyers are influenced and why they do the things they do. In every episode you’ll learn from the mistakes of a “property dumbo” as well as Chris & Veronica’s “elephant rider bootcamp” training session.

The plan? This property podcast has been created to help us all make better property decisions!

We talk about the things no one wants to talk about in the Property Market

The Elephant In The Room Property Podcast | Inside Australian Real Estate

NIMBY vs YIMBY: Can We Balance Progress and Preservation?

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