Property Council appoints NSW executive director

Property Council chief executive Mike Zorbas believes Katie Stevenson’s “strategic experience across all levels of government, together with her deep knowledge of planning, means she will be an advocate of integrity and credibility.”

In a career described by Mr Zorbas as dedicated “to the creation of great places and great communities,” she has served tenures as a policy team leader and specialist urban designer at the Department of Planning as well as roles as an urban designer at Cititek in Copenhagen and planning at Leichhardt, Burwood, and Sutherland Shire Councils.

Mr Zorbas stressed that “Katie knows the policy detail,” adding his belief the Property Council’s “New South Wales members will be looking forward to having Katie as a champion of good policy and a source of wise counsel.”

Ms Stevenson proclaimed she is “delighted to lead the NSW division of the Property Council and to continue its long history of delivering thoughtful policy, considered advocacy, and strong representation of its members.” 

She explained that it’s “both a privilege and a responsibility” that the state’s property sector boasts more employees than any other and “touches the lives of every person in the state, every day.”

Speaking on her arrival, Fabrizio Perilli, the Property Council’s NSW division president and managing director of PERIFA, said Ms Stevenson is a welcome addition at a time of unique change in the industry. 

“The new government has signalled it is determined to reclaim the initiative on planning for a growing population and Katie will be a strong voice representing our needs,” he said.

“NSW needs to adapt to meet the most urgent housing supply challenges in the nation and this is the time for someone of Katie’s deep experience to champion the important reforms our communities and our industry need.”

Ms Stevenson concluded she is “looking forward to connecting with our members at our upcoming industry events of committee meetings and to start working with such an experienced and high-performing staff.”

Her appointment followed the arrival of Michael O'Brien, current managing director of QIC real estate, into the role of Property Council of Australia president at the end of March.