The decision to look into the future for community living issues in Queensland places an exciting challenge for all of us involved in the industry.

The fact that the Government now acknowledges in the discussion paper, that strata and community titles living and management is a major industry in Queensland, is an important milestone. 

We in QRAMA believe that the State Government has given the industry a great challenge to debate, gather and provide the information to the 66 questions raised in the discussion paper to add value to all sectors of the industry, including professionals, managers and owners. 

This is a significant breakthrough and one that the industry needs to seize collectively and examine the “big picture” opportunities that are presented. 

There is now recognition that strata title and community title is the new lifestyle for many Australians, in their permanent living, holiday choices and investment preference. 

Let’s face it, Queensland’s biggest industry by far is our visitor industry, tourism and all its elements, and the vastness of our State means that the greatest provider of accommodation for tourists at present is in managed properties. 

In those tourist centres, the resident manager is part of the tourism ambassadorial team and has been for the past 30 years. 

In the urban renewal programs which are sweeping Australia’s major cities, the permanent manager is the integral lynch pin in helping thousands of new unit and villa owners adjust to community living. 

Equally owners associations, body corporate committee members and the professionals who support them are all contributors to the successful lifestyle change that is occurring, throughout our nation. 

But the impacts of the strategy paper do not stop with these issues. 

In our big picture review, we all need to be aware of the other 21^st century issues which have emerged and which must be addressed as part of this strategic review. 

The new office of urban development and management, which has been formed under the leadership of the Deputy Premier and Treasurer Terry Mackenroth, will be releasing in October a discussion paper on the development footprint for South East Queensland. 

It recognizes that south east Queensland is facing a challenge in determining the right balance for Greenfield developments and the necessary limits to retain sufficient open space and environmental nature reserves for the benefit of future generations. 

Clearly this new planning document will be recommending options for more intense community life developments in South East Queensland, essentially expanding the opportunities in the community living development and management programs. 

It will also be developing incentives to investors and developers to look at other regions of Queensland as areas for further future development, with all the excitement that is associated with development and population growth in the northern regions. 

QRAMA now has sizeable active branches in Port Douglas, Cairns, the Whitsundays and Hervey Bay as well as our Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast branches.  Our branch presidents and their committees recognize that we have both corporate industry challenges as well as local issues to collectively manage. 

These consultation and engagement opportunities which are being provided by the Government will allow us to address the whole variety of day to day issues as well as the future strategic positioning. 

We all need to realise that team work in our approach to the issues is vital and not only do we need to consider our own interests, but certainly we need to address our needs and perceptions in those areas which involve other key stakeholders. 

This is really the first time that as an industry, we have been provided with the challenge to look forward and be involved in the planning for the future. 

It is a great opportunity, and I urge all stakeholders to take up the challenge and respond accordingly. 

We at QRAMA would welcome any interchange with key stakeholders before the submission closure date so that we can give consideration to your issues in a proactive manner.