Unlocking the industry s potential

Unlocking the industry’s potentialWith a strong housing market an essential element of New South Wales’ economic prosperity, the Property Council’s newest executive director, Jane Fitzgerald, has made planning reform her top priority.”Property is a massive contributor to the state, with one in 10 jobs and more than10 per cent of the state’s economic growth coming from our industry,” she says.”Planning reform is absolutely essential if we are to address housing affordability – an issue that is on everyone’s lips at the moment.”We are very fortunate to have a state government that has made a commitment to further planning reform – but we have a lot of work to do. “Our members tell me that their number one priority is getting rid of the red tape and roadblocks that make development a challenge and prevent us from building growth and prosperity for the entire community.”Fitzgerald points to the work recently undertaken by Deloitte Access Economics on behalf of the Property Council, which finds the Federal Government could unlock $3 billion in economic value and ease the pressure on housing prices by providing state governments with incentive payments to fix their planning systems.”We need to focus on the right cures for the system – better strategic planning, less delay and a reduction in costs,” Fitzgerald says.Fitzgerald has held senior executive roles in both federal and state government, and has been chief of staff for two NSW ministers across a range of portfolios. Most recently, she spent 15 months as chief executive officer for the Office of the Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption.A lawyer with a degree in political science, Fitzgerald says she is very comfortable engaging with senior bureaucrats, but working in a membership-based organisation is “new and exciting”. “I’m revelling in the very direct connection I have with the membership. My role is part translator – I am taking industry’s message to government and the broader community to influence and drive change,” she says.Diversity is another issue high on Fitzgerald’s agenda, and she says the new president of the Property Council in the state, Louise Mason, is very committed to the issue.”Successful industries take advantage of diversity within the community. Improving our gender balance, particularly in leadership positions, will ultimately enhance the strength and profitability of the entire industry,” she says.”Getting diversity right is about the mindset – it’s not just about hitting targets, although they can help. It’s about identifying the characteristics we need to enhance our businesses and our industry.”Fitzgerald applauds the initiatives already bearing fruit, including the Property Male Champions of Change, state-based diversity committees and the 100 Women in Property project.”A lot of the Property Council’s members are already taking a leadership stance on this issue – and are looking beyond gender balance to ensure everyone can bring their authentic selves to the workplace.”Like planning reform, diversity is a way to unlock the potential of this industry.”