Property Council Highlights of 2016 

2016 has been the year of change and new opportunities at the Property Council WA Division.

In May, we farewelled long-standing Executive Director Joe Lenzo and welcomed Lino Iacomella to the top job. Under Lino’s leadership, the WA Division has undergone a revitalisation embracing new and dynamic ways of working to enhance its member proposition. 

During this period of change, the WA Division has enjoyed some major successes in 2016. With a strengthened advocacy team and the work of the committees, the WA team celebrated numerous advocacy wins including:

• the commitment of both the Government and Opposition to retain Development Assessment Panels;
• no further increases in Land Tax and Stamp Duty in the 2016-17 Budget;
• government commitment to fund infrastructure though the asset recycling program, particularly the sale of 51% of Western Power;
•  adoption of the Sale of Land Amendment Act 2016, which clarifies the obligation of developers and buyers of off-the-plan purchases;
• adoption of the unsolicited bids guideline for the sale or lease of state-owned land and;
• passing of the City of Perth Act recognising Perth as the capital city of WA.

On the commercial side, our events have gone from strength to strength.  Our events this year were dynamic and engaging across the various industry sectors. At the Commercial Conference, economist Nicki Hutley, Urbis, provided an informed property outlook from a local, national and international perspective outlining where the next wave of tenants will come from, including the introduction of educational institutions in the CBD. 
 
At the Retirement Living Conference, members learned the new ways developers are embracing technology to improve the lives of residents and how the focus is shifting to building upwards to accommodate Perth’s aging population. Brian Haratsis, MacroPlan, spoke about the demographic and economic forces that work against West Australians enjoying a financially secure retirement, and how the industry must adapt to these changing needs.

At the Megatrends Lunch, Selina Short, EY, discussed how drones and driver-less cars will change the way we do business and how property design must adapt to accommodate these emerging technologies.

Perth is on the cusp of a tourism boom, as Property Council members got a sneak peak at the 13 new hotel developments planned for Perth CBD and the opportunities that surrounds them, at this year’s Hotels Breakfast

The Women in Property Lunch with Senator Michaelia Cash was the first of its kind for our Division and set the national standard for high calibre events,with a focus on the growth and support of female property professionals.

2016 has also been a year of many firsts.  The Shopping Centre of the Year Awards were reborn, combining the Commercial Awards, to become the WA Property Awards.

The Future Directions events calendar underwent a complete transformation with the introduction of the WA Future Leader Awards, celebrating Perth’s young property professionals across a broad range of categories.  The Future Directions Committee also launched the first WA Future Leader Mentoring Program, which connected final year university students with industry professionals.

The Women in Property & Diversity Committee went into overdrive hosting more events than ever before.  Increased participation and industry commitment strengthened the annual mentoring program, providing countless opportunities and experiences for all participants. Nationally we also launched the 100 Women Campaign to promote and connect female property professionals and expand their networks.

As a company, we have made a commitment to increase female participation with the 40:40:20 pledge. All event speakers and committee members must adhere to this pledge to ensure a minimum of 40% female participation in everything that we do.

The Property Council would like to thank our corporate partners, industry partners and sponsors for your unwavering support throughout the year.

If you’d like more information on any of the initiatives mentioned, please contact Sadie Davidson.