April & May CEO’s diary
17 April 2020, Infrastructure Industry Steering Committee. Recently repurposed with a focus on the infrastructure component of Queensland’s economic recovery, the Infrastructure Industry Steering Committee has commenced meeting regularly. The committee is chaired by the Coordinator-General and includes other leading figures across the infrastructure and property sectors alongside senior government agency representatives.
17 April 2020, meeting with Dr Dorina Pojani, University of Queensland. Along with Chelsea van Riet, Director of Research and Marketing, I discussed a potential research project that will make some of the Research Foundation’s findings more readily available. With applications beyond our industry, I am excited by the opportunities to further socialise our research findings.
21 April 2020, meeting with Cr Adam Allan, Brisbane City Council. I met with Cr Adam Allan, the head of council’s Economic Recovery Taskforce to discuss Brisbane’s bounce back. As our industry is the fifth largest industry of employment in the city, our members are key to ensuring the Brisbane’s economy thrives in the wake of COVID-19.
21 April 2020, Operation Bounce Back Webinar. I hosted our webinar Operation Bounce Back. Featuring David Laner from Stockland, Brook Monahan of Mosaic Property Group, and Brent Thompson from Siera Group, we presented a thought-provoking discussion on the opportunities the crisis presents beyond the initial logistical difficulties.
21 April 2020, meeting with Mitchell Brandtman. Along with our Director of Member Services, Marcus Terry, I met with Michael Ivey of Mitchell Brandtman. Mitchell Brandtman have been longstanding supporters of the work of the Institute as well as presenting partners for our Awards for Excellence for a number of years. We are grateful for Mitchell Brandtman’s continued support, particularly under the current circumstances.
23 April 2020, Valuations Briefing webinar. I hosted our webinar on valuations. Featuring Amelia Hodge from the Australian Property Institute and Warren Bobbermien form Bank of Queensland, I moderated a robust discussion on the complexities of valuations as well as trends developing in this area from the pandemic. This is a fraught aspect of development with significant impacts on members and the wider community.
23 April 2020, Annual General Meeting. The Institute held its Annual General Meeting in a hybrid format with members attending virtually. As part of the AGM’s elections, we welcomed Warwick Bible to the role of President and two new Board members, Beth Toon of Place Design Group as well as Adam McVie from Dennis Family Corporation. We also farewelled longstanding Board members Alan Buckle and Brett Gillan. I am grateful for the support and guidance of our Board, particularly our Immediate Past President Ian Murray, who has provided an incredible level of assistance during some challenging times over his tenure as President.
24 April 2020, meeting with Paul Riga, Urbis. Along with our Director of Research and Marketing, I met with Paul Riga of Urbis to discuss a research project for 2020. Urbis have been staunch partners of our Research Foundation and I am proud of the solid basis their work lends to the Institute’s advocacy as well as assisting our members to make informed business decisions.
24 April 2020, Infrastructure Industry Steering Committee. I participated in a further meeting of the Infrastructure Industry Steering Committee. I am grateful for the opportunity to represent our industry as part of these important discussions.
29 April 2020, meeting with Two Thirds Sky. Along with our Director of Research and Marketing, I met with Paul Kennedy, the researcher for the Institute’s Industry Leaders Research Group, to discuss the research program for 2020. With social distancing measures in place, the research program had been postponed for the first half of 2020 but I am pleased that the important work can continue as restrictions ease.
29 April 2020, Koala Advisory Council. The Advisory Council was formed to provide advice on the development and implementation of a new koala conservation strategy in Queensland. I am privileged to represent the development industry on the council and look forward to continue to work together with my fellow council members to achieve the best possible outcome.
6 May 2020, meeting with Richard Ferrett, Brisbane City Council. I met with Mr Ferrett, of the Brisbane Lord Mayor’s Office. I meet regularly with him to discuss how we can work together with council to create a better Brisbane.
6 May 2020, meeting with Property Council Australia and Housing Industry Association. I met with my counterparts at PCA and HIA to discuss how we can work together to ensure our industry is best positioned to thrive under the current circumstances. Together we have recommended the State Government increases the scope of the Catalytic Infrastructure Fund as well as reduce Transfer Duty to help stimulate economic recovery.
6 May 2020, meeting with representatives of the Department of State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure. Along with our Director of Policy, Strategy and Regional Services I met with Rachel Hunter, Director-General; Toni Power, Coordinator-General; and Kerry Doss, Deputy Director-General, Planning to discuss the challenges and opportunities faced by our members at this time. I am grateful for the ongoing willingness of DSDMIP to engage with the Institute and our members.
7 May 2020, meeting with Jason Goldsworthy, Mirvac. I met with Jason to discuss Mirvac’s experience of Build to Rent. A model that has been accepted overseas for some time, Build to Rent is in its infancy in Australia. With more Australians renting, it is incredibly important we understand how we can implement this model.
7 May 2020, meeting with representatives of the Department of State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure. Along with members of the Institute’s Policy team, I met with DSDMIP staff to discuss progress of key deliverables set out in ShapingSEQ. The targets this strategy sets out have not been reached on an arbitrary basis but are necessary for our industry to house the Queensland’s projected population. Now, more than ever, it is imperative that our industry, together government, collaborate to ensure these targets are achieved.
8 May 2020, Infrastructure Industry Steering Committee. I attended a further meeting of the IISC.
12 May 2020, Working Group Meeting with the Australian Property Institute. Following on from our webinar, we have formed a working group with the Australian Property Institute (API). The purpose of the group is to work together on some of the obstacles the current valuations status quo can present for our members. We are grateful of the willingness of API to meet as well as the input of our policy committee and Board Members.
12 May 2020, meeting with Kerry Doss, Deputy Director-General of Planning. I meet regularly with Mr Doss to discuss the issues faced by our members across the State.
13 May 2020, meeting with Jason Camden, Economic Development Queensland. I meet regularly with Jason Camden who is Acting General Manager of Economic Development Queensland to discuss the ways that our industry can work with EDQ to create wonderful communities for Queenslanders.
13 May 2020, Infrastructure Industry Steering Committee Green / Red Tape Reduction Sub-Group. Formed out of the IISC, the sub-group’s purpose is to workshop unnecessary legislative and regulatory impediments that block infrastructure delivery. I appreciate the opportunity to provide feedback from members to inform this sub-group.
13 May 2020, announcement of UDIA National Award Winners. Following the cancellation of the UDIA National Awards Gala, I was thrilled to attend the streamed announcement of the 2020 UDIA National Awards. Congratulations to Queensland winners Stockland, Villa World, BHC, Sekisui, and Brisbane City Council!
14 May 2020, Economic Outlook webinar. I hosted our webinar featuring AMP Capital’s Dr Shane Oliver and CoreLogic’s Eliza Owen. Although we only held an Economic Outlook event in February, the world has changed significantly and it was so valuable to understand that current economic outlook for Queensland as well as the overall macro-economic view for Australia as we move towards relaxed measures (and provide an opportunity for our experts to revise some COVID-related predictions!).
14 May 2020, Planning Director workshop. We met with various SEQ-based Planning Directors to help shape a training package for elected officials. Queensland’s planning framework is complex and it is imperative that local government officials have a sound understanding of the legislation as well as the important role they play within that system.
14 May 2020, meeting with Ben Cantwell, Stockland. As part of my research into Build to Rent, I also met with Ben Cantwell of Stockland to understand their experiences with this method of delivery.
19 May 2020, meeting with Reserve Bank of Australia. I met with local representatives of the Reserve Bank of Australia to discuss the current state of the market. I look forward to continuing to meet regularly with the RBA to discuss what is happening on the ground for our members.
20 May 2020, Infrastructure Industry Steering Committee Green / Red Tape Reduction Sub-Group. I attended a further meeting of the sub-group and provided some examples of regulatory changes that could remove roadblocks to infrastructure delivery.
22 May 2020, Infrastructure Industry Steering Committee. I attended a further meeting of the IISC.
28 May 2020, meeting with Deputy Mayor and Chair of the City Planning and Economic Development Committee of Brisbane City Council. Along with our Director of Policy, Strategy and Regional Services I met with Cr Adams to congratulate her on her recent election to the role of Deputy Mayor and her appointment to the role of Planning and Economic Development chair. I met regularly with Cr Adams’ predecessor and I look forward to continuing to meet with her to discuss the issues our members face in Brisbane.
29 May 2020, meeting with Peta Harwood, Manager Development Services, Brisbane City Council. I met with Ms Harwood to discuss the work of the Institute’s Research Foundation and to provide feedback from our members. Ms Harwood was recently appointed to the role and I look forward to working with her to create better communities for those who call Brisbane home.