Housing affordability will be a major focus for the Property Council's new Hunter director

The role had been advertised after the departure of the previous Regional Director so after seeing the ad I asked a few questions and applied. I guess you can say the rest is history.

 What made you interested in the role?

I have been working with business across the Hunter for a number of years to advocate for changes that will improve operating conditions and provide an environment for growth and sustainability. The role with the Property Council allows me to continue this work with property, housing and their related industries.

What are your core responsibilities?

The role plays an important part in engaging with industry and regional stakeholders as well as government to create awareness around matters that potentially create barriers to growth in the region as well as promote solutions that will help to position industry and the Hunter in its rightful place. The Hunter is home to a large network of expertise and knowledge and I believe that we can work together to make great things happen. 

The issues you believe require more advocacy?

The Hunter is a growing and ambitious region. Our advocacy will focus on ensuring it receives the infrastructure and transport funding it needs to support a growing community as well as encourage more private investment here. Ensuring housing is affordable for local people will also be a major focus as well as supporting development projects that contribute to the Hunter’s smart and innovative reputation.

 Do you believe there is enough affordable housing in the Hunter and what is the PCA doing to encourage a better flow?

It’s important that there is a strong pipeline of housing supply in the region and that we have a diverse supply of housing. There are not enough homes at an affordable price point; increasing housing supply; whether that be apartments, terraces or larger houses, is important to make homes more affordable. Inefficiencies in the planning system and additional taxes and levies on housing must also be a focus to bring prices down. Importantly, the right social and environmental infrastructure will also be needed to support growth in supply.

You were public and policy affairs officer with the Hunter Business Chamber. How much regional progression did you witness?

The region has seen a lot of great change over the last six years. Not only has it seen a physical change in the landscape with increased development in housing and land across the Hunter but so much positive change with redevelopment across city centres in the region. This is not to say it hasn’t seen its share of challenges but I’m consistently buoyed by the willingness of people to come together to create positive outcomes.

 You worked with the late Kristen Keegan, a former chamber CEO. What did you learn from her?

Kristen was a strong believer in solutions-based advocacy and everyone I meet talks about a strong woman with a passion for the region and a fighting spirit. Kristen stood for what and who she believed in and she taught those around her not to give up even though we all know sometimes it can be a much easier alternative. It was this spirit and passion that created a lot of positive change across the Hunter under Kristen’s leadership. She is missed every day by those who were fortunate enough to be able to say they really knew her.

 In PCA Hunter’s submission to the light rail review of environmental factors (REF), it said “above all else” the integration of light rail infrastructure within the city must support urban transformation and not constrain economic development. Yet city businesses are struggling with the trade downturn. What could have been done to prevent the hardship?

I know that this transition period has caused much pain for some businesses and there is work being done with organisations in Newcastle to provide assistance where possible. I have family in small business and empathise around the impact that is being felt and would urge efficiency and speed in the project’s delivery. Light rail has the potential to be a city shaping piece of infrastructure and should be extended to service more of the community as we witness the growth of key centres, so it would be more helpful to think about how we use what we’ve learnt from this stage as it moves forward.

 As a Novocastrian, where do you hope Newcastle will be in 10 years?

I think about what Newcastle was like 10 years ago and the change that has occurred since and I am excited about what the future holds. It is transforming before our eyes and has undoubted capacity to become a major destination for international tourists. It is home to world-class health, education and research centres and diverse industries and organisations that are innovating and delivering great things. As a community we can and should collaborate to continue this growth.