The Commercial & Industrial Conference 2026, the first to be held at REIV HQ, was a runaway success, delivering a day of practical insights into tenancy insolvencies, arrears recovery, eviction challenges, and the key risks shaping the commercial and industrial property sector. Anne Donchos of Commercial Network Group served as MC for the event, opening proceedings by welcoming attendees and setting the tone for a practical, solutions-focused conference addressing the increasingly complex challenges facing today’s property managers.
Interim Victorian Small Business Commissioner Tim Symons discussed the importance of establishing clear processes and expectations at the outset of commercial leasing agreements to minimise disputes later on. He identified tenant misunderstanding of contractual obligations as a recurring issue, often compounded by poor communication between landlords and tenants. This includes tenants signing leases without obtaining legal or accounting advice, which can lead to avoidable disputes further down the track. Tim noted that disputes are frequently exacerbated when tenants fail to communicate concerns early in the lease term, allowing issues to escalate unnecessarily. He encouraged attendees to keep the Retail Leases Act and its associated regulations close at hand as an ongoing reference point. He also clarified that tenants withholding money is permissible only in limited circumstances, predominantly where tenants are dissatisfied with a landlord’s failure to fulfil their obligations. Tim explained that disputes commonly arise where tenants contribute to fit-outs and mistakenly believe this exempts them from restoring the premises at the end of the lease. In most cases, properties must be returned to their original condition unless explicitly documented in writing at the commencement of the lease. Tim also covered the process for appointing a specialist retail valuer (SRV), the broader VSBC dispute-resolution framework, and the availability of alternative dispute-resolution pathways and legislative-guidance services. His Q&A session addressed disclosure statements, duplicate leases, five-year waiver certificates, dispute service wait times, and other common industry concerns.
Blake Collins, Managing Director of Rex Cirrus8, explored the emerging trends expected to shape the commercial and industrial sector over the next three years. He highlighted the growing importance of services that support operational efficiency while helping businesses remain adaptable in a rapidly evolving market. Blake emphasised the need to humanise the digital experience across commercial real estate operations, noting that customer relationship value propositions are increasingly becoming a top business priority as organisations seek to reduce time spent on business-as-usual processes and focus more heavily on client relationships. He identified compliance pressures, talent shortages, and high staff turnover as growing industry challenges, stressing the importance of developing strong Employee Value Propositions (EVPs) to attract and retain high-performing real estate professionals. Blake also discussed the need to balance automation and AI with personalised customer experiences, noting that the pace of change over the next year is likely to exceed that seen over the previous three years combined. He concluded that the businesses best positioned for success will be those capable of adapting quickly and embracing transformation.
Ben Bishop, Special Counsel at Johnson Winter Slattery, focused on lease terminations, business insolvencies, distressed commercial tenancies, and the types of disputes commonly heard in court. His presentation provided practical legal guidance around identifying early warning signs of financial distress and making informed decisions before issues escalate. Ben discussed common indicators of tenant distress and the importance of establishing and documenting clear patterns of misconduct when pursuing lease termination. He stressed the importance of understanding lease terms and ensuring compliance with evidentiary, statutory, and contractual requirements. He also examined situations in which tenants resist forfeiture and repossession, outlining appropriate responses and the subsequent debt-recovery options available to landlords. Ben concluded by emphasising the importance of being proactive rather than reactive, understanding how conduct may be viewed by the courts, and recognising the behavioural impacts of insolvency on both landlords and tenants.
Andrew Robertson, Operations Manager at AESG, identified fire engineering faults and deviations from standard construction practices as among the most significant safety concerns in modern commercial buildings. He explained that performance gaps often arise where site-specific requirements are overlooked, and generic compliance approaches are applied without sufficient tailoring. Andrew reminded attendees that municipal building surveyors can request proof of maintenance with as little as 24 hours’ notice, and further warned that once a matter reaches an enforcement stage, more extensive auditing and scrutiny of the site is likely to follow, often uncovering broader compliance concerns.
The conference concluded with an industry-led panel discussion moderated by Anne Donchos and featuring Gross Waddell ICR Senior Associate Director Bill Di Donna, Belle Property Group Director of Retail Tamara Gross, and Small Act Major Impact Director and Founder Leorna Givoni. The panel explored the foundations of long-term success in commercial real estate, including career development, reputation, and personal branding. Tamara emphasised the importance of genuine care and personal investment in client relationships, maintaining a positive mindset during challenging market conditions, and continually identifying emerging opportunities and key industry players. She encouraged attendees to actively promote themselves within the industry and develop a memorable point of difference. Bill reinforced the value of reliability, practical advice, and maintaining a productive attitude, noting that his own success has been grounded in consistency, adaptability, and a strong focus on emerging technologies and regulatory compliance in an increasingly detail-oriented industry. Leorna Givoni concluded the discussion by highlighting the importance of strategic communication and branded storytelling. She encouraged attendees to recognise every interaction as an opportunity to build and strengthen their personal brand, noting that while data remains important, the ability to present information through compelling, relatable storytelling ultimately creates engagement and impact.
Additionally, the VSBC has advised that it is updating its Retail Leases Information Brochure. The revised brochure will be available in 14 languages in addition to English and will include a practical checklist of considerations for tenants. The VSBC will provide the updated brochure to landlords at least four weeks before it becomes mandatory for distribution to tenants.