The appointment of the state’s first Property Services Commissioner will strengthen the real estate sector and support consumer protections across the Dubbo electorate, according to state member Dugald Saunders.
Commissioner John Minns will be responsible for ensuring a strong, vibrant property sector, responsive to the needs of property services professionals and one that has the highest compliance and professional standards for the benefit of consumers.
Mr Saunders said Commissioner Minns will help the government be more responsive to issues facing the sector, including the unprecedented housing shortage currently gripping regional NSW.
“From Gulgong to Trangie, our region is enjoying unprecedented investment and growth – but that means unprecedented strain on housing supply,” Mr Saunders said.
“We know real estate is an extremely important industry in the Dubbo electorate, and the Property Services Commissioner will strengthen trust and engagement between industry, regulators and consumers.”
Commissioner Minns brings more than 25 years’ experience as a real estate business owner and agent. Most recently he was Managing Director of a Canberra-based independent agency and is a previous Director of Academy of Real Estate Services where he worked to improve professional development and training opportunities.
Real Estate Institute of NSW (REINSW) Orana division spokesperson Bob Berry hopes the new commissioner will drive positive reform in the industry.
“The REI has been advocating for this for some time, to have a senior bureaucrat who understands the changes and day-to-day moves in the industry,” Mr Berry said.
“The property industry is so big and so important to NSW, it should have a direct connection to government, so we welcome it.”