October CEO’s Diary

2 October 2019, meeting with Julie Saunders (Chair of the South East Queensland Housing Supply Expert): I met with Julie to discuss the progress of the Land Supply Monitoring Report. As ShapingSEQ has shown, our population is growing and land supply needs to be unlocked to maintain housing affordability. The Land Supply Monitoring Report is an important tool in working together with Government to achieve this goal.

2 October 2019, meeting with Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development: I spoke with Kim Forbes, the General Manager of City Deals (Qld) about the impact of the City Deals program on regional areas and the significant economic boost that the Hinkler Deal could provide to the Bundaberg and Fraser Coast regions.

3 October 2019, meeting with Toowoomba Branch member: I met with a member of the Toowoomba Branch about the unique challenges faced by our members in that region at present. It is invaluable for me to hear about what our members are facing on the ground. It helps to shape our advocacy positions to all levels of government.

8 October 2019, EnviroDevelopment Presentation: I presented Mosaic Property Group with a certificate acknowledging the attainment of six-leaf EnviroDevelopment certification for their development, Vive. Developments may receive EnviroDevelopment certification across six defined categories (elements) of sustainability and are able to advertise the leaf icon of each element for which they have been accredited. Certification in any one of the EnviroDevelopment elements is a significant achievement, with a six-leaf certification signifying a truly outstanding sustainable development.

9 October 2019, meeting with Okeland: We met with Institute member Okeland and discussed the opportunities and challenges currently faced within a number of regions. I enjoyed the opportunity to meet with Okeland and discuss the ways the Institute can work with members and government to create better communities for Queenslanders.

10 October 2019, meeting with Richard Ferrett: I met with Mr Ferrett, of the Brisbane Lord Mayor’s Office. I meet regularly with Mr Ferrett to discuss how we can work together with council to create a better Brisbane.

10 October 2019, meeting with Toowoomba Branch member: I had a further opportunity to meet with another Toowoomba Branch member who was in Brisbane for the day. Toowoomba really is a land of opportunity and the gateway to rich resources so it is critical industry and council work together to maximise these opportunities for the benefit of Toowoomba residents.

10 October 2019, meeting with Avid Property Group: I had an opportunity to meet with Bruce Harper of Avid Property Group. Any opportunity to meet with a member is valuable and my meeting with Avid Property Group was no exception. It is exciting to hear about the ways our members are transforming Queensland into more connected communities.

11 October 2019, Mystery Tour: Along with a car-full of Institute staff, I travelled to the beautiful Gold Coast and experienced a diverse array of fantastic product. It is energising for our team to see the end result of the years of hard work and dedication poured into these projects by our members and I know I was inspired by the projects we visited.

16 October 2019, meeting with Dyan Currie, Brisbane City Council: I meet regularly with Dyan Currie to discuss the issues impacting our Brisbane members.

16 October 2019, meeting with Deb Frecklington MP (Leader of the Opposition): Our industry is an incredibly important part of this great State. We house and employ Queenslanders from Cairns to Coolangatta. I met with Ms Frecklington to discuss the issues that matter most to our members.

17 October 2019, meeting with UDIA Queensland and the Reserve Bank of Australia: I met with Queensland representatives of the Reserve Bank of Australia to discuss what is happening on the ground for our members. Topics included the ongoing issues with valuations as well as the ways in which the banks are impeding members from fulfilling our mandate of creating better communities for Queenslanders.

17 October 2019, meeting with Kerry Doss of the Department of State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning: I meet regularly with Mr Doss to discuss the issues faced by our members across the State.

17 October 2019, meeting with Andrew Powell MP, Shadow Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning: I meet regularly with Mr Powell to discuss the challenges and opportunities encountered by our members across Queensland.

18 October 2019, meeting with Gold Coast Logan Branch Committee: I met with the Gold Coast Logan Branch Committee. Our branch committees are manned by volunteers and are a wealth of information on what is actually happening locally.

18 October 2019, meeting with Lacey Group: I visited the Lacey Group’s development at Bilinga and was loathed to leave. The Gold Coast is a beautiful part of the world and our members there are creating some outstanding product that maximises the beauty of this area.

18 October 2019, meeting with Mulpha: I met with Mathew Williams of Mulpha to understand some of the obstacles the business is facing at present. Mulpha truly are creating communities across the State, with projects ongoing from Sanctuary Cove to Hayman Island.

22 October 2019, meeting with Infrastructure Australia: I met with representatives of Infrastructure Australia via teleconference to discuss the benefits the Hinkler Deal would have on the economies of the Fraser Coast and Bundaberg. Such economic stimulus programs can have a far-reaching impact on regional areas and the funding boost associated with the Hinkler Deal will be just the shot in the arm these areas need to fully reach their potential.

24 October 2019, presentation on Performance Based Planning to the Department of State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning: I presented to members of the Department on the Research Foundation’s findings on community perceptions of Performance Based Planning. Informed by the Industry Leaders Research Group, the findings pave a way to remove the mystery out of Performance Based Planning for the community.

November will also prove to be a busy month engaging and learning from our members and industry. I am looking forward to meeting with the Minister Dick on the 14th November to raise and discuss critical issues such as MLES and Category X.