Property industry joins forces to keep South Australia on track

The property industry has formed a coalition of its many and diverse sectors to shine a light on the sectors importance to the South Australian economy.

And it has harnessed a unique vehicle to spread the message. From Monday 9 July 2012, one of Adelaide's trams will appear with a facelift – redesigned as a building, complete with workers, as a testament to the importance of the built environment to the state and the economy.

Speaking on behalf of the Property on Track coalition, Property Council of Australia (SA Division) Executive Director Nathan Paine said the tram symbolised the importance of the property sector in keeping the state moving, 'on track' to a brighter future.

“The property industry is in a lot of ways a quiet achiever,” Mr Paine said. “People interact with the industry every day of their lives but rarely think of how completely their lives intertwine with the built environment.

“They wake up in a house built by the property industry. On the way to work they pass other homes and businesses planned, designed, certified, plumbed and built by the industry. The road they take to work is just one part of a planning system that makes day-to-day living possible – that's part of the property industry. They get into their Green Star-rated offices with the help of sliding doors, lift and escalators, all designed, built and installed by the property industry. Their offices are kept comfortable by precision air conditioning and engineering provided by the industry. Lighting, bathrooms, office cubicles and fitouts – it's all part of the property industry.

“You get the picture – the property industry is huge. In fact, the property industry is the biggest contributor to the state's economy, and it employs one in every ten South Australians.

“Critically, the property industry is also the biggest contributor to state taxes; the industry paid $1.6 billion in state taxes in 2009/10 alone, representing more than 43 per cent of the state's own revenue collections.

“To put it simply, property is the state's platform for economic development and growth. When that platform is strong, our state is strong.

“We have kicked off this campaign to get the message out there that the property sector keeps our state on track, and that it must be supported.

“We hope this campaign helps to educate people about how our industry can help them achieve their dreams; the property industry is intrinsically tied to the growth of our state, and we want to see it prosper.

“We encourage every South Australia to get on board to ensure South Australia remains on track to a bright and prosperous future.”

Media contact
Nathan Paine, Executive Director Property Council of Australia (SA Division)
0448 445 177