Chris Hall
Managing Director & Finance Broker
Development Finance Sydney
Development Finance
Development funding needs structure before submission. We help you map lender fit, timeline and deal strategy across land, construction and exit stages.
Funding strategy for projects from site to settlement.
Development and construction loans are assessed on feasibility, borrower strength, security and delivery timing, not just rate. We help position the credit case clearly before it reaches the lender so decisions are made on the right commercial context.
Whether you are funding land, progress draws, bridging needs or a staged project, we coordinate lenders and advisers to keep momentum and reduce avoidable friction through approval and settlement.
Chris
Hall
Managing
Director
& Finance Broker
& Finance Broker
Let our experts do the hard work for you
From comparing lenders and structuring your application to managing documents, approvals and settlement, our brokers run the process from start to finish. You get clear advice, competitive options and one experienced point of contact keeping everything moving.
- ACL accredited
- A loan structure built around you
- End-to-end support through settlement
Meet the team behind Blue Crane Capital
Real brokers. Real experience. Real relationships.
Heinrich Brendel
General Manager
Nick Wilcox
Director & Finance Broker
Allisson Crain
Head of Residential Credit & Responsible Manager
Why choose Blue Crane?
Award winning company
Blue Crane Capital's brokers have been recognised year after year by the industry's leading bodies. Including MFAA and FAST awards for excellence across broking, lending administration, and residential and commercial finance. That consistent recognition reflects what clients experience directly.
Depth over volume
Blue Crane Capital has arranged over $3 billion in lending since 2017 by working the full spectrum of the market — major banks, second-tier lenders, non-bank and private lenders — so every deal has genuine competitive tension behind it, not just one bank's rate card.
We run the process
Blue Crane manages everything from initial assessment through to settlement. The paperwork, the negotiation, the lender relationships, so clients can stay focused on their property, not the finance admin. It's backed by an award-winning track record and 3,000+ clients assisted.
Areas we serve
National reach, local connection
Blue Crane Capital works with clients nationally, with key service areas across Australia’s major property markets.
Our accolades and recognitions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is development finance?
Development finance is lending used to fund property development projects. It may cover land, construction, interest, GST, bridging, refinancing or project completion costs. The structure depends on the site, borrower, approvals, feasibility, valuation and exit strategy.
Can Blue Crane Capital help with property development finance Australia-wide?
Yes. Blue Crane Capital works with clients across Australia, with key service areas including Sydney, Gold Coast, Wollongong, Newcastle and Melbourne.
Do I need DA approval before speaking with a development finance broker?
No. Early advice can be useful before DA approval, particularly if you want to understand lender appetite, likely equity requirements, feasibility expectations and funding pathways. Some lenders will need DA approval before formal construction funding can progress.
What documents do lenders usually request?
Common documents include DA details, plans, feasibility, valuation, builder information, construction contract, presales details, borrower financials, entity structure, project timeline and exit strategy.
Can you help if my bank has declined the project?
Yes. A decline from one lender does not always mean the project cannot be funded. We can review the reason for the decline, assess the structure and consider alternate lenders where suitable.
What is the difference between senior debt and mezzanine finance?
Senior debt is usually the primary secured loan. Mezzanine finance may sit behind senior debt to help fill an equity or funding gap. The right mix depends on project numbers, security, risk and cost.
What does a development finance broker do?
A development finance broker helps assess funding options, prepare lender submissions, coordinate the application process, liaise with lenders and support settlement or drawdown steps.
How fast can development finance be arranged?
Timing depends on the project, lender, valuation, documentation, borrower structure and credit conditions. We avoid unrealistic timing promises, but we can assess the urgency and explain the practical next steps.
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Speak with one of our trusted finance brokers
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Start A Finance Conversation
Development finance is time-sensitive. The earlier the finance structure is assessed, the clearer the pathway can become.
Bring us the site, the numbers, the approval status and the deadline. We will help you assess the funding options, lender appetite and next steps.
Development Finance Sydney
Development finance Sydney for property developers who need certainty, structure and lender access
Blue Crane Capital helps small-to-mid-scale residential and mixed-use developers secure property development finance with clear advice, structured submissions and access to a range of lenders.
From DA-approved townhouse sites to boutique apartment projects, knock-down-rebuilds, bridging gaps and tight settlement timelines, our team helps developers move from funding pressure to a clear finance pathway.
Read more about Development Finance Read less about Development Finance
What Development Finance Covers
Development finance can support a range of property projects, from small residential developments through to larger mixed-use sites.
It may include funding for:
- Land acquisition
- Site settlement
- Construction costs
- GST and contingency requirements
- Interest capitalisation
- Bridging finance
- Residual stock
- Refinancing existing project debt
- Senior debt, stretch senior debt or mezzanine finance
- Non-bank or private lending solutions
The right structure depends on the project, borrower profile, equity position, feasibility, valuation, security type, presales, exit strategy and lender appetite.
Blue Crane Capital works with developers seeking property development finance in Sydney and across Australia, with access to major banks, non-bank lenders and private credit providers.
Funding by project stage
Site acquisition and settlement
A site under contract often requires fast clarity. We assess the project, borrower position, security, equity contribution and settlement timeframe to determine which lenders may suit the deal.
DA-approved or near-approved projects
For developers with approval in place, lender focus may shift to feasibility, valuation, project costs, builder strength, equity contribution and exit strategy.
Construction-ready projects
Once the builder, QS, contracts and reports are in place, we help coordinate the funding pathway through credit submission, lender review, valuation, approval and drawdown setup.
Mid-project funding gaps
Cost increases, valuation shifts, delays or lender policy changes can create funding pressure. We can review senior debt, stretch senior, mezzanine or private lending options where suitable.
Residual stock or project completion
Completed stock can create short-term debt pressure. We can assess refinance, residual stock lending or bridging options based on sales progress and remaining debt.
What lenders assess
Development finance lenders review the full transaction, not just the borrower. A strong credit submission needs to show the project is viable, the borrower has a clear contribution, the numbers are defensible, and the exit strategy is credible.
DA status, feasibility and experience
Lenders may assess:
- DA approval status
- Planning risk
- Project feasibility
- Developer experience
- Builder profile
- Construction contract type
- Professional team strength
- Timeframes and contingency
- Exit strategy
Experienced developers with a track record may have broader lender access. Capable first-time developers may still have options where they have strong equity, advisers and a well-prepared project.
Valuation, presales and equity
Lenders may review:
- As-is valuation
- Gross realisation
- Net realisation
- Loan-to-value ratio
- Loan-to-cost ratio
- Presale requirements
- Borrower equity
- Cost-to-complete
- Contingency allowance
- Net proceeds analysis
A clear submission can help lenders assess the project more efficiently and reduce avoidable back-and-forth.
Senior debt, stretch senior and mezzanine options
Every development finance structure has trade-offs. Some projects suit a major bank. Others need a non-bank lender, private lender, stretch senior facility or mezzanine layer.
Senior debt
Senior debt is usually the primary loan secured against the property. It may suit developers with strong feasibility, sufficient equity, clear approvals and a project profile that fits lender policy.
Stretch senior finance
Stretch senior finance may provide a higher leverage option through one lender. It can suit developers who want to reduce equity strain without adding a separate mezzanine lender.
Mezzanine finance
Mezzanine finance may sit behind senior debt to help bridge an equity gap. It can support projects where the developer has a strong case but requires extra capital to reach completion.
Non-bank and private lending
Non-bank and private lending may suit projects with tight timeframes, non-standard security, land bank facilities, bridging needs, capitalised interest structures or policy challenges with traditional lenders.
Blue Crane Capital assesses the available options and explains the trade-offs across cost, speed, leverage, documentation and lender conditions.
Our Finance Process
1. Initial development finance assessment
We review the site, project status, borrower structure, funding requirement, timing and key risks.
2. Project and borrower documentation
We outline what lenders are likely to require, including feasibility, DA documents, valuation, builder details, presales, entity structure and financials.
3. Lender strategy and credit positioning
We match the project with suitable lenders and prepare the credit story so lenders can assess the deal clearly.
4. Submission, approval and settlement
We manage lender communication, valuation coordination, conditions, loan documents and settlement steps.
5. Drawdown support
For construction facilities, we help coordinate the finance process during drawdowns and project milestones.
Our Financial Services
Development Finance
Funding solutions for residential, construction, land, mixed-use and development projects.
Commercial Loan Broker
Commercial lending support for business owners, investors and commercial property borrowers.
Investment Property Finance
Loan structuring for investors building or managing residential property portfolios.
SMSF Loan Broker
SMSF property lending support for investors working through self-managed super structures.
Non-Bank and Private Lending
Lender options for borrowers or projects that do not fit traditional bank criteria.
Refinance Broker
Review and restructure existing debt across investment, commercial and development lending scenarios.
Home Loan Broker
Residential lending support for owner-occupiers and investors with more involved borrowing needs.
Why Choose Blue Crane Capital
Established finance brokerage
Blue Crane Capital has operated since 2017 and supports clients across residential, commercial and development finance.
3,000+ clients assisted
Our team has supported thousands of clients across a wide range of finance scenarios.
Four accredited brokers
You work with an experienced brokerage team, not a call centre or single-product lender.
ACL holder
Blue Crane Capital holds Australian Credit Licence 539187.
ACL accredited
Our accredited network includes major banks, non-bank lenders and private credit providers.
Project manager for your finance
We coordinate the finance process across lenders and key third parties so your transaction stays organised.
National reach, local connection
We support clients across Sydney, Gold Coast, Wollongong, Newcastle, Melbourne and other Australian markets.
