Property Council of Australia - ACT

05/10/2023

It was great to have Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher join us for lunch last week at Hotel Realm. The Federal Government has invested into our Capital and housing and it was great to hear about it. Many thanks to Minister Gallagher for your time and insights and a big thank you to our event sponsor Colliers Canberra.

22/09/2023

Yesterday we held our first ever ACT AI event. Organised by our Future Directions Committee it was an incredible event tackling how AI can be used in our industry. Thank you to our amazing speakers and our sponsor Canberra Airport. We were so inspired we thought about asking Chat GPT what it thought about the event..... Here's what AI had to say.

"What an incredible evening it was at the Future Directions of AI event hosted at Vibe Hotel!

We had the privilege of gathering with three remarkable AI experts who delved deep into the world of AI, debunking myths and misconceptions, Pros and Cons and how it can fit into the property industry.

Thank you to our expert panelists for sharing their knowledge, our future directions panel members and to all attendees for making this event a success. Let's continue to embrace AI's potential responsibly and collaboratively as we shape the future together.

(Entered into AI but corrected by a Human)

06/09/2023

You're invited to lunch with Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher.

Hear from one of our most senior federal Ministers on the economic direction of the federal government.

Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher, Minister for Finance, Women and the Public Service will speak to us on 29 September.

As our population continues to grow, we will need the right investment into our Capital Region, including a considered and strategic spend on crucial infrastructure.

This is your opportunity to hear from a senior leader, who sits on the government’s Expenditure Review Committee, on how the federal government plans to invest in the ACT.

Register here https://lnkd.in/gJdpd2jR

24/08/2023

18/08/2023

Allan Wylucki Leadership Award

Sponsor: NBN Co Limited

Alastair McCallum – AMC Architecture

From his early days at Woods Bagot, where he spearheaded a comprehensive rebuilding process over three years, to his elevation as a non-equity partner, Alastair's journey has been nothing short of inspiring.

In a bold move, Alastair ventured out of the shelter of a multinational corporation to co-found his architectural venture, AMC Architecture (AMC), alongside David Cook in 2000. Their joint efforts have propelled AMC into a position of eminence in Canberra's design landscape. This dynamic duo has masterfully overseen the realisation of diverse projects across the ACT, NSW Region, and beyond, solidifying AMC's reputation as a leading design powerhouse.

Alastair embodies a rare fusion of artistic talent, boundless energy, and unwavering principles. His architectural intuition is innate, and his business acumen and strategic prowess have steered AMC's course with unerring precision. He has skillfully nurtured AMC's growth in prestige, community engagement, and financial success, continually delivering exceptional built environments and innovative property strategies. Throughout, Alastair's foundation has been built upon fostering enduring relationships with clients, government entities, fellow professionals, and the broader community.

Furthermore, Alastair's footprint extends beyond AMC's achievements. He has made profound contributions to the vitality of the Canberra property sector, chiefly through his instrumental roles within the Property Council of Australia (PCA), the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA), and the Master Builders Association (MBA). His dedication to Canberra's future sustainability and expansion as the National Capital underscores his belief in the city's potential.

He is a fervent advocate for the architectural profession, championing conscientious design, responsible urban growth, and the nurturing of emerging talents in the industry. His genuine interest in the aspirations of others is evident through his selfless allocation of time, sharing of experiences, and leveraging of his extensive network to propel their personal and professional development. Alastair's adept articulation, profound insights, and consistent display of integrity, emotional intelligence, empathy, and compassion render him a revered and indispensable presence within the Canberra property arena.

Congratulations Alastair on being recognised as such a great leader.

18/08/2023

Team of the Year Award

Sponsor: GHD

Winner: The Colliers ACT Real Estate Management Services Team – Colliers

The Colliers ACT Real Estate Management Services (REMS) team has rightfully taken out the Team of the Year Award. Comprising a diverse group of 32 skilled professionals, specialising in delivering comprehensive property, facilities, asset, and financial management services to commercial property owners across the ACT, NSW, and NT. The team has a cumulative experience of 374 years in the industry, the team adeptly manages over 770,000 square meters of assets, representing a substantial market share of over 35 per cent of externally managed office stock in the ACT.

A key factor behind the team's success lies in the strong relationships and collaborative spirit that underpin their operations. Operating with a culture of interdependence, team members leverage each other's expertise, problem-solving skills, and mutual respect to achieve shared goals. Cross-learning is a prominent feature, enhancing skills and knowledge exchange, ultimately contributing to the team's resilience during peak workloads or temporary staffing shortages.

The leadership, led by Chris Park, boasts over 18 years of experience in Commercial Property and Asset Management. Backed by a Bachelor's degree in Property Economics and extensive work with prominent institutional landlords, Chris's leadership has been pivotal in structuring high-performing teams and driving growth.

To ensure continued success, the team has implemented a strategic leadership group, focusing on areas such as role specialisation, talent acquisition, continuous development, and effective communication. This approach has enabled the team to manage complex projects and major clients like Charter Hall and Investa while minimising fatigue and maintaining business continuity. Their success is evident in achievements such as securing the first externalized hybrid model for Charter Hall and managing 14 assets across 3 jurisdictions, totaling 207,713 square meters.

Amidst challenges, the team has remained resilient and committed to investing in top-tier talent, fostering a culture of support, and reinforcing their position as market leaders. Their exceptional achievements and unwavering dedication demonstrate the Colliers ACT REMS team's capability to maintain a prominent industry position for years to come.

Well done to the Colliers ACT REMS team!

18/08/2023

Industry Impact Award

Sponsor: RLB

Winner: Alisa Moss – DJAS Architecture Pty Ltd

Alisa Moss stands as a prominent figure in Canberra's sphere of workplace design, leaving a remarkable impact on the design and property industry through her remarkable leadership and advocacy efforts. Her visionary approach and staunch commitment to design, particularly in the realm of workplace design, have made her a driving force in the field.

With a career spanning over two decades, Alisa Moss has made remarkable contributions to the property industry. Her tenure at DJAS Architecture, combined with her active engagement on industry boards and councils, showcases her exceptional leadership prowess. Notably, Alisa played a pivotal role in growing the interior design team at DJAS from a one-person operation to a thriving unit of 15 skilled designers, firmly establishing DJAS as the largest interior design studio in Canberra for a considerable period.

In 2015, Alisa, along with her peers, took on ownership and directorship of DJAS Architecture, further solidifying her influence. Her dedication to fostering growth and development extends beyond her own organisation, as evident from her involvement in the Property Council of Australia. Alisa's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion shines through her roles on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, where she played an active part in promoting positive change and an inclusive property industry.

Alisa's advocacy extends even further through her engagement with various committees and councils, including the Alastair Swayn Foundation, the Swayn Gallery of Australian Design, the Design Institute of Australia ACT National Council, and the Swayn Centre Steering Committee. Her tireless dedication to these initiatives reflects her unwavering commitment to fostering creativity, innovation, and industry growth.

Alisa's impact is recognised and acknowledged through prestigious awards and appointments, such as the International Research Recipient Churchill Fellowship and the ISS Fellowship. Her dedication to knowledge sharing, mentorship, and industry advancement continues to inspire those around her. In 2023, Alisa was appointed to the Division Council for the ACT, a testament to her ongoing commitment to enhancing the Canberra property industry.

The breadth and depth of Alisa's contributions make her an exceptional candidate for the Industry Impact Award at the 2023 Property Council ACT People in Property Awards. Her unwavering dedication to shaping the industry and her remarkable achievements underline her status as a true luminary in the field of workplace design and beyond.

Congratulations to Alisa for her much deserved recognition!

18/08/2023

People First Award

Sponsor: Village Building Co

Winner: Tom Sparkes – SHAPE Australia

SHAPE taken out the People First Award following its recognition as a certified Great Place to Work, a prestigious distinction awarded by the globally acclaimed Great Place to Work Institute. Through a comprehensive and insightful survey, SHAPE's dedication to cultivating an exceptional workplace culture was affirmed, with an impressive 94 percent of employees endorsing it as an outstanding place to work. This achievement stands as a testament to SHAPE's unwavering commitment to nurturing a constructive and engaging environment that places a premium on personal growth, professional development, and employee well-being.

Aligned with the company's vision of becoming 'the place where everyone wants to work,' SHAPE's accomplishment reflects its relentless pursuit of creating a workplace where individuals feel valued, empowered, and inspired to be their authentic selves. This accomplishment is not only a reflection of SHAPE's dedication to its employees but also its proactive approach to fostering a positive and enriching work atmosphere.

Moreover, SHAPE's achievement of the Great Place to Work certification augments its collection of accolades, which includes being recognized as one of Australia's Top 10 Best Places to Work in Property, Construction & Transport by Australian Financial Review's AFR BOSS. Additionally, the consistent reception of the Culture Sustainability Award from Human Synergistics underscores SHAPE's unwavering commitment to maintaining a culture of excellence and innovation.

The Great Place to Work certification is a resounding endorsement of SHAPE's success in creating a workplace that thrives on inclusivity, diversity, and employee empowerment. This recognition is a testament to SHAPE's continuous efforts in fostering an environment that not only drives employee satisfaction and engagement but also enhances overall business performance.

As SHAPE embarks on this new phase of recognition, it reaffirms its commitment to maintaining the high standards that have earned it this certification. This achievement serves as a stepping stone for SHAPE's ongoing journey toward excellence, as it continues to empower its employees and inspire a culture of collaboration, growth, and success.

Well done to Tom Sparkes and SHAPE Australia for creating such an amazing working environment!

18/08/2023

Pathfinder Award

Sponsor: Canberra Town Planning

Winner: Liz Thornton – Colliers

During her tenure in the Real Estate Management Services (REMS) team, Liz played a pivotal role in overseeing and advancing the procurement process on both local and national scales. Upon joining the REMS Team, she addressed the decentralisation of procurement by Property and Facilities Managers, initiating transformative changes. Collaborating closely with the National Procurement Manager from 2020, they played a key role in developing, testing, and implementing a new national procurement process.

Notably, in the period of 2022-2023, the individual identified an innovative opportunity to enhance the procurement process. By engaging property and facility managers across sites, they successfully consolidated certain services into portfolio tenders. This strategic approach enabled the offering of a unified service cost across multiple portfolios for clients. This bundling strategy, exemplified by initiatives like the Height Safety tender across the Charter Hall portfolio, streamlined processes, reduced costs, and improved timelines without compromising quality.

The implementation of portfolio tenders necessitated comprehensive tender documentation, including enhanced scope and registers. To facilitate efficient review, she introduced standardised, editable Word documents for tendering companies. This pattern detailed site-specific fee breakdowns, savings or losses, and provided an informed summary page, making the entire procurement process easily digestible. This approach streamlined communication, improved transparency, and facilitated client approvals.

This innovation yielded substantial benefits, including heightened efficiency, streamlined communication with vendors, enhanced performance monitoring against KPIs, and improved contract management and budgeting. As a testament to their contributions, Liz was awarded the REMS Award in September 2022, affirming her significant impact on the team's success and Colliers' reputation. In alignment with Colliers' strategic objectives, their approach enhanced REMS services, solidifying the organisation's positive standing with clients.

Please join us in congratulating Liz on her vanguard achievements!

18/08/2023

Rising Star Award

Sponsor: ISPT

Winner: Gavin Saldanha – Northrop Consulting Engineers Pty Ltd

Gavin’s journey began by volunteering as a Project Coordinator at Northrop, a role focused on engaging clients and comprehending their requirements across diverse projects. The experience involved navigating challenges through trial and error, ultimately yielding valuable insights into effective stakeholder communication, enhancing project outcomes. This knowledge was shared internally with junior colleagues through internal committees, fostering a culture of learning and mentorship.

Recognition followed, with the individual achieving the status of a Chartered engineer and being appointed as a Northrop Associate. This acknowledgment highlighted their dedication, leadership, and commitment to the company's success and the broader industry.

Expanding his influence beyond the company, he joined the Illuminating Engineering Society of Australia, leading the Canberra Chapter. Through this role, he championed sustainable lighting practices, gaining traction among stakeholders beyond their discipline, including certifiers and a member of the Legislative Assembly.

Further broadening his horizons, he became part of the Property Council's Future Directions program, which facilitated networking with emerging leaders and provided insights into the impact of planning and legislation on the property industry. These experiences underscored the significance of advocacy through engineering.

The culmination of his journey arrived when he was appointed Group Manager at the age of 29, a testament to his empathetic approach and adept interpersonal skills. His accomplishments were attributed to the support of their colleagues, inspiring them to pay it forward by aiding others and sharing their expertise.

His commitment to fostering sustainable development practices extended to speaking engagements, including addressing the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning, and Heating. Here, he discussed sustainability challenges, electrification experiences, and Canberra's potential in transitioning from gas infrastructure. He recognised the imperative of equipping the next generation with the tools for sustainable development, fueling their enthusiasm for an evolving industry and a brighter future.

Well done Gavin, you have a bright future ahead of you!

07/08/2023

Toast the best of the best in ACT Property!

Our finalists for this years' ACT People in Property Gala Ball & Awards Night have been released. Our list of finalists can be seen here: https://actpropertyawards.propertycouncil.com.au/finalists/

We encourage you to book a table and join our finalists on the night to celebrate the successes of the industry and its people. Our Gala Ball and Awards Night will be held at National Convention Centre Canberra on Friday 18th August 2023.

To book a ticket or table register here: https://www.propertycouncil.com.au/event/gala-ball-awards-night

28/06/2023

One month left to get your nominations in!

Every day, our members contribute to the creation of the incredible buildings, spaces, and places in our cities and regions – in which our communities live, work, learn, and play.

These projects can’t come to life without the people who design, develop and manage them, yet often we reward the project itself, without recognising the individuals or teams that made it possible, so join in the new awards program recognizing the best and brightest.

The property industry in the ACT is driven by its people, and as the advocacy body for the industry the time has come once more for the Property Council of Australia to shine the spotlight on the exceptionally talented individuals in our industry.

Nominate now through our website: https://lnkd.in/gD4heAde

Winners will be announced at our ACT Gala Ball and Awards Night at National Convention Centre Canberra, 18th August 2023.

Register for the Gala Ball here: https://lnkd.in/g-MyziwV

Thanks to our AV Partner Elite Event Technology and exclusive marketing partner Metric!