THE public perception of land development as a cut-throat industry in for a quick buck is outdated and needs to change, according to the newly elected state president of Urban Development Institute of Australia.
Managing director of local development company, Urban Focus and involved with UDIA for the past 20 years, Colin Evans took over the reins of UDIA last week, replacing Dr Russel Perry who had completed his two-year term.
Mr Evans said UDIA needed to work hard to change the negative public perception of land developers and to get government to recognise the significant economic contribution the industry gave to the State economy.
“For a long time land development has been considered almost a dirty word, that land developers are there just to make a quick buck and then move on to the next profit,” he said.
“That couldn’t be further from the truth.”
Mr Evans said that for the past decade the industry had been establishing high standard estates that gave the communities in them quality lifestyles.
“The public are very aware of what constitutes a quality estate and the industry must continue to make sure it keeps in touch with those values,” he said.
“One of the key roles of the industry is to continue to provide environmentally sound and sustainable development.”
Mr Evans said the UDIA was prepared to have open dialogue about urban sprawl concerns and would discuss the issue in quarterly meetings with State Planning and Infrastructure and Environment ministers.
He said infill development did have limitations and that it was necessary to cater for varying socio-economic standings within the population.
“Infill development can and will only cater for a proportion of the population – we also have to cater for the other proportion,” Mr Evans said.
Other issues the UDIA plans to focus on include the continuing delays in the planning approval process, establishing stronger relationships with government at all levels and working more cohesively with similar industry bodies such as the Housing Industry Association and the Property Council of Australia.
