Why Canberra is on the cusp of transformation

Why Canberra is on the cusp of transformation2017 will be a big year for Canberra, and Adina Cirson, the Property Council’s new executive director in the ACT, is up for the challenge.Cirson (pictured), who was appointed to the role in November, says it’s an “exciting time for Canberra”.”The scope of urban renewal, the development opportunity along transport corridors, and the light rail” will transform Canberra, she says.Cirson, who brings to the role a decade of experience in public policy, has worked for two chief ministers. Her first job was as an advisor to former federal Senator Katy Lundy, and her most recent as chief of staff to the ACT Minister for Planning and Land Management, Mick Gentleman.”I understand government and how it works,” she says, and adds that she is “keen to get on with the job”.Getting on with the job includes unlocking the opportunities along transport corridors as the light rail project advances.”A big part of our conversations with the ACT Government this year will be about getting the policy settings and incentives right for the property industry to invest.” Other discussions will be around the review of the Territory Plan and the “heap of urban renewal projects” in the pipeline.”We need to work in genuine partnership with the government,” she says. “The government needs us and we need the government.”The key to success is partnership, Cirson says. The property industry contributes $2 billion to the ACT economy and employs more than 11,400 local people. Property generates 55 per cent of the ACT Government’s tax base and is vital to the growth of Canberra.Cirson has worked on affordable housing and water security for Jon Stanhope, has taken to the field as a community engagement specialist, and was Katy Gallagher’s communications director for three years. While juggling the responsibilities of a chief of staff, she also took on the role of planning advisor.She’d been on the property industry’s “fringes” for many years, but while on a delegation to North American cities undergoing urban renewal, Cirson realised it was time to step into its centre.”We visited Seattle, Portland, Tucson and Vancouver to look at what policy settings Canberra needs along its transport corridors to create connectivity.”A number of up-and-coming developers were part of the delegation, and they were really excited about the potential for our city. It turned my mind to the opportunity in front of us. Canberra is still a big country town, and change can be difficult. But it’s also exciting and provides opportunity. If we get it right, it will influence future generations of Canberrans.”There are new opportunities for industry to work with the community housing sector, on transport corridor policy development and to rethink traditional stances on taxation, she explains.”We’ve spent a long time arguing about the Lease Variation Charge. The time has come to work out how to make it work better for the property sector. How do we get those settings right to encourage investment and development – and good development in the spots we need it?”Another challenge is to engage the community. “I think we’ll see a period where the community consultation required is disproportionate to size of development. So, we need to work out how to take the community along with us on the journey. I see part of my role as helping the industry grow those skills and engage the community.”Cirson’s enthusiasm for her city is palpable. She points to a conversation she had with acclaimed Canadian urbanist Larry Beasley while visiting the nation’s capital last year. “He said he’d been to a lot of cities around the world, and everyone here was talking like they were on the cusp of transformation. And that’s exactly right.”