16 December 2019

Our champions for change

By Christopher Carey

The last 12 months have been a whirlwind of activity for REINSW’s Chapter Committees, and their dedicated and focused work has resulted in some major achievements.

REINSW’s continued success when lobbying government and achieving positive outcomes that work for the benefit of consumers, agents and the wider industry is due in no small part to the dedicated work of our Chapter Committees.

Whether it’s advising REINSW about changes to our agreements and forms, working to compile submissions to government, preparing and presenting webinars, or building relationships with key stakeholders, these committee members are focused on bettering the industry for everyone. Their contributions, as individuals and collectively, cannot be underestimated.

During the 2017-2019 term, I’ve had the pleasure of working with more than 80 committee members across seven chapters. Their collective knowledge, skills and experience is nothing short of awe-inspiring.

Together, these dedicated members are truly ‘champions for change’. REINSW – and indeed the wider industry – owes them a debt of gratitude.

Thank you on behalf of all REINSW members.

Auctioneers’ Chapter

Auctioneers’ Chapter

CHAIR

Jesse Davidson (auctionWORKS)

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Leon Axford (Starr Partners Blacktown)
Robert Anderson (REINSW Helpline)
Ricky Briggs (Bonvilla Property)
Damien Cooley (Cooley Auctions)
Briannan Davis (Cooley Auctions)
Paul Millett (Cooley Auctions)
Mark Morrison (Agency HQ)
Neil Moore (PRDnationwide Port Stephens)
James Pratt (James Pratt Auctions)
Edward Riley (McGrath Estate Agents)
Clarence White (Clarence White Auctions)

BOARD REPRESENTATIVE

Peter Matthews (Matthews & Co)

This year, the Auctioneers’ Chapter Committee was once again focused on encouraging, nurturing and supporting auctioneers through both the Novice Auctioneers Competition and the Awards for Excellence live auction competition.

The Novice Auctioneers Competition showcases a plethora of talent each year and 2019 was no different. Twenty-five entrants battled it out in six heats, with the cream of the crop wielding their gavels at the State Final. The calibre of entrants gets higher and higher each year, which is a testament to the hard work of the committee. And this year, the competition raised more than $8,000 for REINSW’s charity partner, Domestic Violence NSW.

Equally as successful was the live auction final for the Auctioneers category of the REINSW Awards for Excellence. Numbers skyrocketed this year, with 19 of New South Wales’ most experienced auctioneers competing over two days. The committee ensured entrants’ talents were well and truly put to the test, putting together a challenging bidding script that not only tested their gift of the gab but also their knowledge of the law.

Further, and in keeping with their goal to raise education standards, the committee worked closely with REINSW Training in reviewing the Real Estate Training Package. The package sets out the training requirements to become accredited as an auctioneer. As a result of the committee’s input, these requirements have now increased significantly, ensuring a better standard of practitioner into the future.

This year, the Auctioneers’ Chapter Committee was once again focused on encouraging, nurturing and supporting auctioneers through both the Novice Auctioneers Competition and the Awards for Excellence live auction competition.

The Novice Auctioneers Competition showcases a plethora of talent each year and 2019 was no different. Twenty-five entrants battled it out in six heats, with the cream of the crop wielding their gavels at the State Final. The calibre of entrants gets higher and higher each year, which is a testament to the hard work of the committee. And this year, the competition raised more than $8,000 for REINSW’s charity partner, Domestic Violence NSW.

Equally as successful was the live auction final for the Auctioneers category of the REINSW Awards for Excellence. Numbers skyrocketed this year, with 19 of New South Wales’ most experienced auctioneers competing over two days. The committee ensured entrants’ talents were well and truly put to the test, putting together a challenging bidding script that not only tested their gift of the gab but also their knowledge of the law.

Further, and in keeping with their goal to raise education standards, the committee worked closely with REINSW Training in reviewing the Real Estate Training Package. The package sets out the training requirements to become accredited as an auctioneer. As a result of the committee’s input, these requirements have now increased significantly, ensuring a better standard of practitioner into the future.

Agency Services Chapter

CHAIR

Kelly Petrini (Cobden & Hayson)

DEPUTY CHAIR

Cameron Nicholls (Nicholls & Co Estate Agents)

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Anna Egri (DiJONES Real Estate)

Bree Higgins (Cunninghams)
Cassandra Lantry (Leah Jay)
Nicole MacGee (The Agency)
Lilli McMorrow (The Agency)
Kristy Neville (REINSW Membership)
Nancy Rainbird (Realcover)
Kylie Walsh (DiJONES Real Estate)

BOARD REPRESENTATIVE Ewan Morton (Morton Real Estate)

A relatively new chapter to the REINSW stable, the Agency Services Chapter has been determinedly making its mark this year. The Chapter recognises the property professionals who work in frontline positions. Office managers, marketers, admin assistants, receptionists, accountants and more – all those professionals working in agencies to keep the engine room running.

It’s all too easy to become caught up in the business of selling and leasing and forget about what goes into ensuring compliance and running a profitable and successful business. That’s why, over the last 12 months, the committee has been focused on providing essential information to educate REINSW about the key issues impacting the operational side of agency practice.

Plans are in place for a video series focusing on key operational issues, to be released in 2020. The committee is also working on a series of webinars to help REINSW members navigate the day-to-day issues that arise in agency practice.

Buyers’ Agents Chapter

CHAIR

Nicholas Viner (Buyers Domain)

DEPUTY CHAIR

Jacque Parker (House Search Australia)

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Rich Harvey (propertybuyer)
Shelley Horton (Albion Avenue Buyers Agents)
Michael Ossitt (STRAND Property Group)

BOARD REPRESENTATIVE
David Howe (DiJONES Real Estate)

A range of important issues have kept the Buyers’ Agents Chapter Committee busy over the last 12 months. The goal in each case has been to raise the profile of buyers’ agents and improve consumers’ understanding of their important role in property transactions.

The committee has been lobbying NSW Fair Trading for an accreditation standard. In a soon to be lodged submission, the committee outlines why it’s essential for buyers’ agents to hold an accreditation on their Real Estate Licence similar to that held by auctioneers.

The committee is also seeking a clear definition of “buyers’ agent” in the Property, Stock and Business Agents Act 2002 . There’s a distinct difference between someone acting as an exclusive buyers’ agent and someone working for a selling agent who is charged with nurturing buyers. By defining a “buyers’ agent” in the Act, any confusion regarding the capacity in which the agent is acting will be alleviated.

The committee has also been working closely with Fair Trading to review the Using an agent to buy property fact sheet. They provided an updated version reflecting the services a buyers’ agent delivers and it is now available via the NSW Fair Trading website.

Finally, the committee is working closely with The Law Society of New South Wales to finalise a Residential Conveyancing Protocol that recognises the important role of buyers’ agents in the conveyancing process.

Commercial Chapter

CHAIR

Bobby Suminoski (Four Wales Commercial)

DEPUTY CHAIR

Barry Cawthorn (Bawdens Industrial)

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Hayden Bennett (Commercial Property Group)
Kymbal Dunne (Knight Frank)
Shaun Kenney (CBRE)
Michael P Laing (The Agency)
Ole Mitrevski (Massons)
William Shen (Tim Green Commercial)
Dan Walker (Colliers International)

BOARD REPRESENTATIVE

Barry Johnston (Balmoral Partners)

The last 12 months have seen the Commercial Chapter Committee working tirelessly to ensure that REINSW’s commercially focused agreements and forms are up to date and fit for purpose.

Perhaps the most important agreement for commercial agents dealing with small office buildings and shop premises is REINSW’s Commercial Lease. In conjunction with REINSW’s Legal Counsel, the committee has undertaken a comprehensive review and rewrite of the lease to bring this standard agreement into line with current industry practice standards and today’s market conditions. It’s the first time such a review and rewrite has been done in almost 10 years and represents a significant amount of work and effort by the committee.

Recognising the changing nature of the commercial market, the committee has also put together a Car Park Licence, suitable for car spaces within open parking lots or multiple parking facilities. The committee identified a gap in REINSW’s agreements and forms offering and has worked with REINSW’s Legal Counsel to fill this gap.

Both the Commercial Lease and the Car Park Licence will be available in the very near future.

Property Management Chapter

CHAIR

Michelle McLean (Leah Jay)

DEPUTY CHAIR

Kellie Eagles (Elders Queanbeyan/Jerrabomberra)

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Tim Anderson OAM (Life Fellow) (in memoriam)
Ann Banister (REINSW Helpline)
Edith Byrne (No Bull Real Estate)
Miles Felstead (Miles Felstead Realty)
John Gilmovich (Real Property Manager)
Suzie Hamilton-Flanagan (McGrath Cronulla)
Sandy Hodgkins (NNW Property)
Lisa Indge (Let’s Rent)
Sandra McGee (Starr Partners)
Tiana Mueller (McGrath Cronulla)
Suzie Reid (Laing+Simmons Double Bay)
Colin Rodgers (McGrath Estate Agents)
Lyn Tamsett (KG Hurst Real Estate)
Gary Triganza (Miles Felstead Realty)

BOARD REPRESENTATIVE

Lyn Kimball (Fitzpatricks Real Estate)

As in the previous few years, the major focus of the Property Management Chapter Committee over the last 12 months has been on the review of the residential tenancies framework.

With amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act 2010 passed by the NSW Parliament in late 2018, the committee’s attention turned to the draft Regulation in 2019. The Regulation provides the administrative detail to support the operation for the amendments to the Act, and the committee has been working closely with NSW Fair Trading to ensure that the final implementation of the new provisions works best for tenants, landlords and agents. The committee’s work over recent years on the review has been nothing short of outstanding and, without doubt, the post-review framework would have been startlingly different had they not relentlessly pursued better and more practical outcomes.

REINSW and the committee have also been working closely with Rental Bonds Online, meeting regularly to discuss the operation of the platform, practice issues and potential future enhancements. Members of the committee have also been involved in pilot testing of the platform prior to any changes being rolled out to ensure usability from a property manager’s perspective and a seamless experience for all users.

Residential Sales Chapter

CHAIR AND BOARD REPRESENTATIVE

Braden Walters (McGrath Ballina/Byron Bay)

DEPUTY CHAIR

Sarah Bester (Ray White Double Bay)

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Cathy Baker (Belle Property Killcare)
Peter Chauncy (McGrath Estate Agents)
Greg Jemmeson (Jemmeson & Fisher)
Betty Ockerlander (McGrath Estate Agents)
Lynette Malcolm (Chadwick Real Estate)
Craig Marshall (Craig Marshall Real Estate)
Thomas McGlynn (The Agency)
Matt Nicastri (Cunninghams)
Wayne Stewart (Century 21 Five Star Properties)
Zoran Veleski (Crown Property Group Australia)
Rob Ward (DiJONES Real Estate)

Building relationships is central to the role of every property professional – and that’s what members of the Residential Sales Chapter Committee have been focused on this year.

Like all industries, real estate has undergone significant changes in recent times with the growth of the industry, introduction of new suppliers and emergence of innovative technologies. At the same time, the industry has become fragmented – but rather than facing a future of working in silos, the committee is determined to bring everyone together.

To that end, the committee has been forging strong relationships with key suppliers to the industry, including realestate.com.au and CoreLogic. The aim is to have a more focused impact on the way the industry and suppliers interact. By working more collaboratively with suppliers, the agents will be in a better position to influence outcomes, rather than simply being reactive to change.

Another focus of the committee has been to educate members on key practice issues via their webinar series. This year they achieved record attendance numbers, engaging with in excess of 1200 sales agents across New South Wales.

Strata Management Chapter

CHAIR AND BOARD REPRESENTATIVE

Gary Adamson (Strata Management Services NSW)

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Leisha de Aboitiz (Massons)
Robert Anderson (REINSW Helpline)
Sue Dowling (Dowling Management Services)
Dean Eades (Southern Strata Management)
Shane Foley (BIV Reports)
Heather Lake (Gilbey Burgess Strata Management)
Christine Nesbit (Albury Wodonga Real Estate)
Carolynne Pitt (Gilbey Burgess Strata Management)
Reena Van Aalst (Strata Central)

The Strata Management Chapter Committee is well and truly focused on the future. With the mandated statutory review of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 and Strata Schemes Development Act 2015 coming up in 2020, the committee is preparing itself to address issues arising from the implementation of recent reforms.

While the discussion paper for the review is not likely to be released until mid-2020, the committee is getting ahead of the game. They are currently preparing a comprehensive submission and will lodge this with NSW Fair Trading in the coming months. They hope to encourage Fair Trading to take their comments on board and incorporate their feedback into any discussion points released for consultation as part of the review.

The committee has also been working closely with the Owners Corporation Network to discover how the REINSW and OCN can better collaborate to achieve positive outcomes in the strata management space. In particular, with the statutory review coming up, discussions have been focused on how the two entities can work together to present a united front to government with a view to achieving outcomes that better benefit all stakeholders.

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