Sam Tarascio Snr is the Founding Director of Salta, one of Australia’s largest and most respected private property groups. His journey is one of extraordinary vision, resilience and entrepreneurial drive.

Born in Sicily in 1944, Sam migrated to Melbourne in 1950 as a five-year-old with his working-class parents, arriving at Victoria Dock – the very location his future business would one day help redevelop. Starting with humble beginnings in a shared home in Werribee, Sam’s early career saw him move from retail and manufacturing into pharmaceuticals, working for multinational companies such as Miles Laboratories and Hoechst.

At just 26 years old, Sam left his corporate role to pursue a bold vision – his first property development on reclaimed swamp land in Williamstown. With no formal experience but a keen instinct, he secured a prelease with Mayne Nickless, managed construction himself to reduce costs, and laid the foundations for what would become a lifelong legacy in property.

Through strategic reinvestment and deep personal involvement, Sam went on to establish two interconnected ventures: Salta Properties, his property development arm, and Westgate Logistics, which grew into a national logistics business with 2,000 employees. This synergy allowed for rapid expansion across industrial, commercial, and residential property, including landmark projects such as Victoria Gardens Shopping Centre in Abbotsford. In 2004, Westgate was awarded the rights to redevelop Victoria Dock, linking Sam’s migrant story with his professional legacy. The logistics business was eventually sold to Linfox in 2008.

Since then, Sam has remained a key advocate for infrastructure and supply chain reform, particularly through his leadership on the Victorian Government’s Inland Port Network initiative – advancing efficient rail freight connectivity between the Port of Melbourne and inland terminals.

Today, Salta Properties has a multi-billion development pipeline and is underpinned by a professional board comprising family and independent directors. Sam’s eldest son, also named Sam, is Managing Director of Salta Properties, having moved into the role in 2005.

Beyond business, Sam and his wife Christine share a strong commitment to giving back, with the couple supporting a number of charitable causes. They enjoy time with their children and six grandchildren at their olive grove, Taralinga Estate, on the Mornington Peninsula, where they produce award-winning olive oil.

Sam Tarascio Snr’s legacy is one of grit, innovation, and community – a pioneering figure whose impact continues to provide enduring value, shaping Melbourne’s property and infrastructure landscapes.