A message from the President

The past year has again showcased the Property Council’s key strengths: the ability to deliver excellent policy outcomes and powerful economic and community benefits while advocating the interests of the property industry.

Despite the seeming political unpredictability across the country over the past 12 months – from the instability in Canberra to the mixed experiences with Pauline Hanson, Nick Xenophon and other minority parties – the Property Council has continued to advocate the importance of our industry to South Australia’s economy:

• We are South Australia’s biggest industry, accounting for 10.8% of the State’s economic activity
• We are South Australia’s biggest private sector employer, generating almost 170,000 direct and indirect jobs – more than mining and manufacturing combined
• 1 in 6 South Australians draw their wage directly or indirectly from the property industry
• We contribute 56.6% of South Australia’s taxes, local Government rates, fees and charges
• Our industry touches the lives of all Australians, and if we can get the policy settings right, our industry will play the leading role in growing our economy to where we all want it to be.

Even right up until Christmas, the Property Council has been busy selling this message, and we will continue to do so.

This year we have played a leading and pivotal role in shaping the frameworks and regulations around the Planning, Development & Infrastructure Act – an important trigger for economic growth – and again championed a fair and equitable tax regime, especially land tax and the foreign investor surcharge.  We also recognised individuals who have made a tremendous contribution to the Property Council and the industry, conferring Property Icon status on industry giants Andrew Emmett and Richard Cohen, anointing Woods Bagot Property Business of the Year, James Levinson Property Professional of the Year, Nathan Foulis Young Property Professional of the Year, and posthumously awarding the President’s Award to the late Rocco Caruso.

While we have achieved a great deal in South Australia in 2017, there is a lot more to do, which means 2018 will be another big and busy year and with an election outcome on the line.

Of course, the work of the Property Council would not be possible without the 149 industry volunteers who serve across the 12 member committees. These industry volunteers give us their time and energy to help shape this great sector, and for that we are eternally grateful. 

Next Friday, we host our final event for 2017, the ever popular Xmas show at the Adelaide Oval. Over the course of the year, 4071 guests have heard from 89 speakers at Property Council events, including events featuring the Premier, Leader of the Opposition, Lord Mayor, demographer Bernard Salt – cementing our position as South Australia’s foremost provider of networking, learning and professional development opportunities.

These events have been made possible by the incredibly generous support of our Corporate Partners, event sponsors and each and every one of you.

I want to take this opportunity to sincerely thank our Executive Director, Daniel Gannon, for all his tremendous efforts and contribution throughout the year and to our passionate, energetic and hard-working operations team – Dan Porter, Torie Brown, Almerinda Pollice, and Hannah Harding.  I also wish to acknowledge the important ongoing contribution of my Vice Presidents and fellow Division Councillors who all share my passion for our great State.  We will continue to lobby and advocate strongly for our property industry in 2018.

Finally, I want to take this opportunity to encourage you to put forward your policy ideas and recommendations ahead of the State Election in March. Elections are of utmost importance in any democratic jurisdiction, and you should consider your vote carefully, and decide which party is best able to drive growth in our great sector.  After all, we need to ensure that we’re able to build new tram lines which can indeed turn right !!     

On behalf of the Property Council team and Division Council, I’d like to wish everyone an enjoyable and safe Christmas and New Year break.