THE Urban Taskforce has announced a new incoming chair in Peter Spira, and the retirement of the outgoing Peter Daly.
Spira comes into the role of chair after serving on the Urban Taskforce executive committee and as deputy chair until 2014.
He has over 40 years’ experience as an architect and construction practitioner of residential, retail and commercial property. After 30 years as the general manager of Meriton, overseeing the development of over 50,000 residential and serviced apartments across Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
He holds a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of New South Wales. And in 2006 was awarded the Order of Australia for his contributions to the development industry.
Spira has been appointed to this role after the annual general meeting.
Urban Taskforce chief executive, Tom Forrest, also thanked the outgoing chair Peter Daly, who has been in the position for 6 years.
“Daly was a steady, experienced hand providing strategic guidance” said Forrest, adding that his initiatives to showcase what “top developers provide to our community including jobs, good design and sustainability will continue to be a guiding principle in the ongoing advocacy work of the Urban Taskforce.”
“I wish Peter [Daly] all the very best in his slower paced work-life ahead, enjoying more time with his family and grandchildren. The Urban Taskforce is a much better organisation as a result of Peter Daly’s leadership,” said Forrest.
Daly brought his 10 years of experience as CEO and a further five as Chairman at Stockland to the position.
In the face of hardships brought on by COVID-19, Spira “has a tremendous amount of experience navigating and leading a large organisation like Meriton through tough economic times. He saw Meriton through the early 90’s recession and the 2008 GFC,” said Forrest, adding that Spira is “the right man to lead the Urban Taskforce during these uncertain times.”
“I look forward to working with Peter Spira to get the best outcomes and policy settings for the property development industry during the tough economic times ahead,” Forrest said
Along with Spira as Chair, the Urban Taskforce elected to welcomed three new executive members today including Spira as consultant as well Lang Walker from Walker Corporation and Garry Rothwell from the Winten Property Group.
