CEO’s report Pages

Quentin Kilian

REIV CEO

It is with great pleasure that I write my first editorial message as CEO of the REIV.

A little about me for those who may be wondering. I have spent the past 12 years as CEO of the REINT based in Darwin, and before that have a career that spans international trade and relations, regulatory compliance for the satellite industry across the Asia Pacific, running a television station in Singapore and working for Hong Kong based satellite broadcaster Star TV across a daily footprint of 220 million households, plus several other roles including radio broadcasting.

However, from all of this, I have a found a real passion for real estate. I am privileged that the REIV Board have allowed me the opportunity of heading up the REIV, which in my view is, by far, the most progressive organisation in the most exciting property market in Australia.

On top of which, both my wife and I are looking forward to all the magnificent offerings that both Melbourne and Victoria have to give us.

Gil King has done a sterling job with the REIV over his tenure, and this makes my transition so much easier. I am looking forward to working with the highly professional team at the REIV and with REIV President Adam Docking. With a federal election and a Victorian State election both occurring this year, a lot of our time will be devoted to our legislative and advocacy agenda.

We will continue to have robust discussions with Government on issues such as the RTA and its impact on the rental market, the post COVID commercial property market, taxes on property and housing affordability.

At the time of writing this column, the REIV is working with Members to respond to the Property Market Review announced by the Victorian government.

Boosting employment in the real estate sector, particularly in Property Management, will be a key policy issue this year. Some reports state that there has been as much as a 40 per cent drop in employment in property management since the start of COVID. We will be looking at ways we can boost employment levels across the entire sector through, but not limited to, government led incentives, tweaking the training regime and campaigns to encourage people to take up a career in real estate.

We will continue discussing ways that government can help the recovery of the commercial and retail sectors. Commercial property owners have done more than their fair share of the heavy lifting for the past two years. Given the importance to the Victorian economy of the commercial and retail sectors, we feel it is imperative that government engages with us in meaningful discussions on solutions to help rebuild these sectors.

As the rental market begins to rebound across metropolitan Melbourne, we are facing a situation where many investors have reduced their holdings over the past two years, which in turn will mean pressure on supply as that demand increases. With record low vacancies across regional Victoria, we will be discussing with the government, ways that we can incentivise investors back to the market to create supply. Given that this issue is not unique to Victoria (in fact even Darwin has seen vacancy rates fall to record lows of 1.3%) there are a number of examples of what other jurisdictions have done, or are considering, that the Victorian government can look at.

Of course, as rental markets tighten and rents begin to rise, the sensible alternative for many people will be to consider purchasing. This is particularly so for our young first home buyers. But, like many jurisdictions, there is still a lot of work to be done on reasonable First Home Buyer incentives and ineffective taxation. We will be continuing our discussions with government over how we can help to realise the dream of

many people to enter the We are pushing housing market, because ahead with the as you grow the number continual growth of homeowners, you and change within also grow the stability and ownership of your the REIV, where suburbs and city. we’ll be bringing new services, new So there is a lot to be offerings and done this year. On top of that we are pushing a renewed vigour ahead with the continual to our interactions growth and change with members. within the REIV, where Quentin Kilian – REIV CEO we’ll be bringing new services, new offerings and a renewed vigour to our interactions with Members. Plus, there are several social events where I am looking forward to meeting our Members and engaging with them. This is going to be a very exciting year for the REIV and myself. Working closely with my amazing team at the REIV, and with Adam Docking and the Board, I am looking forward to making this fantastic organisation even more attractive to our members. Quentin Kilian REIV CEO