Property sector taskforce announced to bolster industry recovery

The Victorian Government has today announced the establishment of a dedicated taskforce, the Building Victoria’s Recovery Taskforce, to guide the state’s building and development industry through the coronavirus crisis.

The Property Council has welcomed the formation of the group, which will be overseen by Planning Minister Richard Wynne and Treasurer Tim Pallas. Co-chairing the Taskforce will be former Victorian Property Council President, Roger Teale, Jude Munro AO and Stan Krpan.

The Taskforce will receive advice from three Industry Working Groups and be guided by a Steering Committee, involving representatives from industry, peak bodies and unions. Victorian Property Council Executive Director, Cressida Wall, has been appointed to the steering committee.

Quotes Attributable to Cressida Wall, Executive Director, Property Council Victoria:

“From the start of this crisis, the State Government has recognised that business as usual is not enough to deal with the dramatic economic consequences of COVID-19.

“The property industry is keen to play its role in the recovery of our State and the Property Council is keen to support this steering committee. This group will be vital in guiding Victoria towards more rapid economic recovery.”

“The property industry has, in recent years, employed more than 331,000 people and supports more than 400,000 workers in related fields. In previous years it has paid more than $21 billion in total wages and salaries per year, and employed one in four Victorian workers,”

“We have not been immune to the impacts of the economic downturn associated with the coronavirus, but we stand together with the Government, and are keen to develop and drive initiatives that will see more Victorians back to work when this crisis has subsided.”

“It is important at a time when so many jobs have been lost to this pandemic, that industry can band together and support job creation through positive initiatives, and we applaud the Government for their leadership in developing this group.”

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