Managing Director of Development Capital Management and well known Western Australian property identity Darren Cooper has been elected to the role of National President by the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA).

Darren takes the place of outgoing National President, Michael Corcoran, who has served in the role since 2015.

“We are very pleased to see a Western Australian take the helm at a national level,” UDIA WA CEO Allison Hailes said. “UDIA WA has advocated strongly for Darren to take on the role given his excellent credentials.”

“Darren has a wealth of industry experience, with more than 30 years working in a range of roles in the development sector,” Ms Hailes said.

“He currently also serves on a variety of boards in the development industry, not-for-profit organisations and private companies and is a strategic advisor to national developer, AMEX Corporation.”

“Darren is a Life Member of UDIA WA and is a former senior executive at Mirvac, Blackburne Property Group and PEET Limited,” Ms Hailes said.

“He has also served as National Vice-President of UDIA and is a former UDIA WA President. “

Mr Cooper says that he is humbled by the opportunity to lead Australia’s most prominent development industry advocacy group.

“The development industry delivers 10 percent of Australia’s GDP and employs 10 percent of Australia’s workforce,” Mr Cooper said.

“UDIA’s role is to ensure that our industry’s voice is heard given this massive contribution.”

“As National President, I will continue to focus UDIA on prosecuting balanced and evidenced based policy positions that will benefit our industry, the economy and the wider community” Mr Cooper said.

“UDIA’s national advocacy has never been more important given that our Federal Government, Opposition and crossbenchers are increasingly involved in development industry policy and especially in directing major infrastructure funding allocations,” Mr Cooper said.

Ends.

For more information:

Gemma Osiejak

UDIA WA Executive Manager Communications & Marketing

E: gosiejak@udiawa.com.au

M: 0421 506 819

Contact Darren Cooper directly for comment: M: 0413 120 606