Don wins top property gong

Developer Don O’Rorke has taken out the top gong at the property industry’s equivalent of the Logies in recognition of his long service to the sector.

Developer Don O'Rorke

Consolidated Properties Group boss Don O’Rorke has taken out the top gong at the property industry’s equivalent of the Logies. O’Rorke won the legacy award at the Property Council’s inaugural Queensland People in Property Awards Gala at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Friday night.

Starting his career in the leasing division of CBRE, O’Rorke has gone on to help shape Queensland as chief executive and chairman of Consolidated Properties – a private company that has developed institutional grade, landmark commercial, retail and residential projects spanning Australia’s eastern seaboard and beyond.

O’Rorke, who served as president of the Property Council’s Queensland Division from 1997 to 1999, says the award is testament to the work his team has done over the years.

Developer Don O'Rorke takes out top gong at gala night.

“It’s a great recognition of what we have been able to achieve as a team over a very long period of time,” says O’Rorke. “We are very fortunate to have a mixture of long term and short term employees, ensuring a great mix of stability and innovation.” Property Council Queensland executive Jess Caire says more than 300 people were on hand to celebrate the best and brightest in Queensland’s property industry.

“Queensland’s property industry is about so much more than bricks and mortar; it is the people behind the projects that make it such a success and these awards are all about recognising their passion and talent,” Caire says.

Other winners included Tim Winterflood (Cedar Pacific Investment Management), Rikki Cooper (BGIS), Abigail Heywood (Lendlease), Michael Rayner (Blight Rayner), Brisbane Housing Company. Judges commendation were given to Joshua Lancini (Lancini Property Group), Connie Susilawati (Queensland University of Technology), Brad Williams (RPS), Debbie McNamara (Economic Development Queensland) and the 66 Eagle Team (CBRE)

Freezing action

ASIC has frozen the assets of Brisbane financial advisor Sunny Mahendra Prakash and his related companies. The corporate watchdog this week launched urgent proceedings in the Federal Court against Prakash, Principal Financial Services, Self-Managed Super, Provest Enterprises, Super Funds Australia Pty and Principal Superannuation Fund.

Prakash is a certified practising accountant, registered tax practitioner, self-managed superannuation fund auditor and financial advisor who is authorised by Principal Financial Services to provide financial product advice regarding, among other products, retirement savings account products and superannuation.

ASIC is currently investigating the businesses conducted by Prakash and the related companies, including in connection with financial advice and activities on client trading accounts from January 2016 onwards.

In March, the court made orders freezing the assets of Prakash and his companies and restraining Prakash from leaving Australia. The matter is listed for a case management hearing on May 16.

Bell tolls

The Bell II inquiry into Star Entertainment will wrap up next week with closing submissions from all parties. The submissions follow three weeks of witness evidence on whether Star is suitable to retain its Sydney casino licence.

Appearing before Adam Bell SC has been former Star chief executive Robbie Cooke, former chairman David Foster and the regulator appointed manager Nicholas Weeks. Bell will decide the fate of the troubled casino group in a couple of months,

Former Star chief executive Robbie Cooke