The Real Estate Institute of Western Australia’s new CEO Anne Arnold has returned to her career roots for a role she describes as offering a unique opportunity .
The former CEO of the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC) has worked extensively in the property sector. Her roles include executive director of the Urban Development Institute of Australia, deputy chairman of the WA Planning Commission, and executive director of the office of policy and planning in the Department of Housing and Works.
“I very much enjoyed my time at AMEC, but the REIWA offer was really a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Ms Arnold told WA Business News.
“In my 15 months at AMEC I believed I achieved a lot and repositioned them to take the next steps on the challenges that they face.”
Ms Arnold said all members of the REIWA council, and the general membership, had been supportive since she joined in mid July.
Earlier this year some REIWA council members were involved in a well-publicised split after the controversial sacking of long-serving CEO Michael Griffiths.
“I know there has been some conflict in the past, but there is really far too much to do here rather than dwell on the past,” Ms Arnold said. “People have put the past behind them and moved on.”
Ms Arnold said one of REIWA’s future focuses would be ongoing training for the State’s 1,500 licensed agents.
“The regard in which an industry is held is inextricably linked to its members and their training,” she said.
“That will be a critical part of REWIA’s future and business.”
Ms Arnold said that, in the build-up to a State election, REIWA would build on its position to become a strong lobbying voice and responsible advocate for industry.
“There are some really serious questions for Government about their reliance on stamp duty and land tax,” she said.
Questions also remain about the housing market, with Ms Arnold suggesting that while WA had been having a good run, the last REIWA quarterly market report indicated a 1 per cent fall in median house price for the first time in four years.
“I would think we are in for a soft landing, with some areas softening, but others motoring on,” she said.
“It is difficult to see in the fundamentals why there would be a major downturn – my sense is slower, but modest growth.”