They’re not as insightful as Alanis Morrisette: “I wish people could achieve what they think would bring them happiness in order for them to realise that that’s not what happiness is.”
Our treasurers are more rudimentary. One mid-sized state treasurer recently opined: “the government is from Mars and the Property Council is from Venus.”
Another noted (accurately, as it turned out): “I’ll squeeze property developers until the pips squeak.”
When asked why he raised property taxes when the economy was tanking, one small state treasurer said: “because I can”.
However, it was a prickly NSW state treasurer who took the biscuit with the remark, “why would you plan when things keep changing all the time?” In a burst of honesty, he added: “besides, if you set targets it’s easier for people to hold you to account.”
Maybe he was channelling Richard Nixon, who remarked that “solutions are not the answer.”
At the other extreme, the Chinese Communist Party spent October finalising its 12th Five-Year Plan, which kicks off next year.
The Property Council, also a fan of long-term planning, launched its latest five-year strategy at Congress in September.
Last month’s Property Australia printed highlights of the strategy, which has been sent to all members. A dedicated website at www.propertyoz.com.au/Powerhouse3D provides all the details.
Powerhouse 3D: New Dimensions is the third in a series that aims to:
- Secure greater political influence that serves member interests
- Forge a more connected, informed and professional property marketplace
- Enhance our industry’s image.
At its heart, Powerhouse 3D is a plan to foster a more attractive and prosperous asset class.
To do this, our industry needs to fulfil its role as a nation builder.
This involves a dual track: using our influence to reform public policy frameworks, and improving our collective performance as an industry.
Here is a super cut-down version of the Powerhouse 3D strategy’s 10 implementation programs:
1. A quantum leap in political activism
Doubling the Property Council’s annual advocacy budget from $6 million to $12 million, will mean more solutions-focussed research and more concerted political campaigns on heartland issues.
2. More member homes
We’re moving into the retirement living sector and beefing up coverage of the unlisted and private markets.
3. A centre of asset management excellence ... and a portal to market intelligence
We’re creating a new generation of property performance benchmarking and diagnostic tools, best practice guidelines and case studies. This program includes working with our allies, such as the Green Building Council and IPD, on green benchmarking.
We’re also rebooting our popular portal to the world’s best thinking on industry trends and market facts. Watch out for our pioneering property intelligence apps.
4. Launch the Property Council Academy
Our exciting new relationship with Bond University will be the first of several quality partnerships.
The imminent launch of Australia’s first Executive Master of Real Estate Finance course heralds a new era of world-class education for property professionals.
5. Reaching out to Australia’s regions and suburbs
We’ll open new Property Council chapters in Australia’s population growth centres.
6. Stronger partnerships and alliances
Smart alliances strengthen advocacy muscle. Oftentimes, strange bedfellows can prove your best allies.
The Powerhouse 3D strategy hardwires partnerships with like-minded groups, such as Built Environment Meets Parliament, and fosters left field alliances, such as GetUp!
7. Networking that delivers
We’ll supplement our 360 events and 1100-strong volunteer network with new ways of making markets and swapping industry intelligence.
Our virtual web seminars will help time-poor professionals gain access to top quality thinking. We’ll also refresh our annual summits on cities, retirement living and existing buildings.
8. Priority lane international gateways
Our global network of property industry allies is ever-expanding. The next step is reciprocal membership rights between powerful industry leadership groups.
9. A positive industry image
Technology has revolutionised our capacity to converse with the broader community about the dividends we deliver as an industry. Powerhouse 3D will employ social media to reshape our image. No boosterism, no propaganda, no spin – just the facts.
We’ll also help educate everyday Australians about property investment with our new Build Your Wealth information website.
10. Unveil the case for growth
Powerhouse 3D will counter Australia’s emerging anti-growth sentiment.
We’ll establish a think tank to take a longer, sharper and more strategic view about Australia’s future.
We’ll pioneer a direct conversation with Australians to better explain the benefits of managed growth and the downsides of stagnation.
Peter Verwer |
Wednesday, 10 November 2010 12:01 AM |
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