14 September 2011
The Urban Taskforce today announced that its chief executive officer, Aaron Gadiel, intends to step down from his role at the end of October 2011, concluding a highly successful four years at the organisations helm.
The Taskforces Secretary/Treasurer, David Tanevski, said that Mr Gadiel had made a significant contribution to public policy on behalf of the urban development industry.
Under Aarons tenure, the Urban Taskforce has reinforced its position as the key voice for property developers, Mr Tanevski said.
Aarons overseen a major body of policy work thathas helped shape public debate.
His tireless advocacy has made the community more aware that a broken planning system and high development levies breed a lack of housing affordability and increased urban congestion.
Hes also shed light on the way that planning rules are used to block competition, make business rents more expensive, and force consumers to pay more.
Mr Tanevski said that over the last four years the Urban Taskforce had worked hard to secure positive reforms, including:
¢ major reductions in state government levies in Western Sydney from $33,000 a home to $12,000 a home;
¢ the abolition of water utility development service plan levies of between $5,000 and $20,000 a home in Western Sydney, the Illawarra and the Hunter; and
¢ the introduction of joint regional planning panels, with responsibility for development valued at $10 million or more.
The number of poorly thought out government proposals that the Urban Taskforce has been able to improve or successfully oppose, is too numerous to mention, Mr Tanevski said.
Mr Gadiel, who is a lawyer, will assume the role of Director in the Planning, Environment and Government team at law firm Gadens.
Its been an absolute pleasure to work with the high quality group of members who make up the Urban Taskforce, Mr Gadiel said.
The Taskforce fulfils a critical role as a counter-balance to the vast array of anti-development bodies that regularly appear in the media and lobby government.
Im proud to have been associated with the organisation and I know the group will continue to remain strong once my successor has been chosen.
The Taskforces chairman, Noel Hemmings QC, thanked Mr Gadiel for the leadership and passion he has brought to the Urban Taskforce since he was appointed in 2007.
Aarons approach to advocacy has always been one of solid intellectual argument and complete transparency, he said.
This approach has worked well for the Urban Taskforce, and will continue to be our approach going forward.
Mr Tanevski said that the Urban Taskforce has commenced the process of selecting a high calibre replacement and said he anticipated a smooth transition.
The Urban Taskforce is a property development industry group, representing Australias most prominent property developers and equity financiers.
