About Craig McDermott
Craig McDermott (born 14 April 1965, Ipswich, Queensland) is a former Australian Test cricket fast bowler and Queensland-based property developer. He played 71 Test matches for Australia between 1984 and 1996, taking 291 Test wickets and establishing himself as one of Australia's most prolific pace bowlers of his generation. He was named Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1985 and inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame in 2023.
After retiring from professional cricket, McDermott returned to the Australian national team as bowling coach from 2011 to 2016, mentoring a generation of fast bowlers including Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood. In parallel, he transitioned into residential property development and founded CJAM Group, which is now one of Southeast Queensland's most active regional developers.
His sons Alister McDermott and Ben McDermott are also first-class cricketers.
CJAM Group
CJAM Group is a Queensland-based residential property developer founded by Craig McDermott. Its active pipeline exceeds 1,100 dwellings concentrated in high-growth regional corridors of Southeast Queensland — the Toowoomba region and the Sunshine Coast hinterland — both currently underwritten by major infrastructure investment including the new Toowoomba Hospital, Inland Rail, and the Brisbane 2032 Olympic precinct.
The company differentiates itself through community-focused masterplanning (parks, shared facilities, and accessibility integrated from day one), modular construction methods that reduce build time and delivered cost, and a focus on regional markets ahead of peak pricing. Craig McDermott is personally involved in site selection through to delivery on every project.
Active and recent projects
- Havenwood on Highfields — boutique residential community in Toowoomba; widely reported to have sold out before slabs were poured.
- Rise at Middle Ridge — house and land community on a recently acquired Middle Ridge site, Toowoomba.
- Glasshouse Residences — purpose-built NDIS-compliant disability housing on the Sunshine Coast, addressing Australia's accessible-housing shortfall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Craig McDermott?
Craig McDermott is a former Australian Test cricket fast bowler and Queensland-based property developer. He played 71 Test matches for Australia, taking 291 wickets and establishing himself as one of Australia's most prolific pace bowlers of his era. After retiring from professional cricket, he founded CJAM Group, a residential property development company delivering communities across Southeast Queensland.
What is CJAM Group?
CJAM Group is a Queensland property development company founded by Craig McDermott. The company specialises in residential house and land packages across high-growth regional corridors in Southeast Queensland, including the Toowoomba region and the Sunshine Coast hinterland. CJAM Group's projects are built around community design, with parks, shared facilities, and accessibility features integrated into each development.
What projects has Craig McDermott developed?
Craig McDermott and CJAM Group have developed several residential communities in Queensland, including Havenwood on Highfields in Toowoomba, Rise at Middle Ridge, and Glasshouse Residences on the Sunshine Coast. These projects range from standard house and land packages to NDIS-compliant housing and modular construction builds designed for faster delivery and lower cost.
Where does Craig McDermott develop property?
Craig McDermott focuses on high-growth regional markets in Southeast Queensland, particularly the Toowoomba region and the Sunshine Coast corridor. These areas have attracted significant infrastructure investment — including the new Toowoomba Hospital, Inland Rail, and the 2032 Brisbane Olympics precinct — making them among the strongest regional growth corridors in Australia.
Why did Craig McDermott move from cricket into property development?
After a career spanning more than a decade at the elite level of international cricket, Craig McDermott channelled the same discipline, long-term thinking, and competitive drive into property development. His transition was grounded in a genuine belief in Queensland's regional growth potential and a desire to build lasting communities rather than transactional developments.
What makes CJAM Group different from other Queensland developers?
CJAM Group differentiates itself through community-focused design, the use of modular construction methods that reduce build time and cost, and a focus on underserved regional markets before they reach peak pricing. Craig McDermott's personal involvement in each project — from site selection through to delivery — reflects a hands-on approach uncommon among developers of comparable scale.
Is Craig McDermott involved in NDIS housing?
Yes. Through Glasshouse Residences on the Sunshine Coast, CJAM Group is delivering purpose-built NDIS-compliant housing to address Australia's critical shortage of accessible residential accommodation. The project reflects Craig McDermott's commitment to developments that serve real community needs beyond standard residential demand.
How can I contact Craig McDermott?
Craig McDermott can be contacted directly via his LinkedIn profile at linkedin.com/in/craigmcdermottofficial. Enquiries about CJAM Group's residential projects and house and land packages can also be directed through the official CJAM Group website at cjamgroup.com.au.