Michelle James resigns as chair of the QBCC, as frustration soars over Productivity Commission review

The chair of the Queensland building regulator has resigned amid growing frustration within the QBCC over the state government’s push for a "new direction” for the agency.

QBCC inspectors conducting audits on worksites.

There has been another high profile exit from the Queensland Building and Construction Commission.

Seven weeks after the LNP Government told commissioner Anissa Levy was she no longer had a job, QBCC Board chair Michelle James has resigned.

James, who is also principal and director with law firm Maurice Blackburn, had been on the Board since 2016 and was a well regarded chair after being appointed in 2022.

She has been through the tough times over 2020-21 when at least 30 senior staff and executives left the QBCC, and refused to comment when approached by Citybeat about her exit.

QBCC chair Michell James who has resigned.

But we hear there’s much dissatisfaction down at QBCC’s West End headquarters over the Productivity Commission’s review of the building and construction industry.

Added to that is the Crisafulli government saying they want to set a new direction for the QBCC with a focus on making the organisation more “customer-friendly”.

Those in the know reckon the QBCC over the past three years has made great strides after many years of chronic government under funding.

A review was completed three years ago and it’s believed QBCC has implemented most, if not all of the recommendations. As one person at the coal face told Citybeat – the hard work has been done and the QBCC was in a position to “take off and do good work”.

Now with the review, it’s virtually back to square one and no one seems to know what this “new direction” is the government is so keen about.

With the government throwing its weight around there’s plenty of frustration at head office and there may well be more people thinking about moving to greener pastures.

Dan Holden, founder of Holden Capital Partners.

Milestone

Founded a decade ago boutique development lender Holden Capital Partners has passed the $500m mark in funded loans.

The milestone has come at a crucial time for the Australian property market, where non-bank lenders are taking a larger slice of the pie as traditional bank lending constraints have intensified.

Founder of Holden Capital PartnersDan Holden said his business has never been about “growth for growth’s sake”.

“This milestone is a reflection of our unwavering commitment to doing business the right way – by focusing on strong relationships, smart deals, and a funding model that benefits both our developers and our investors,” he said.

Holden said that in an unpredictable market, clients and investors its all about relationships and trust.

“That trust is what got us to $500m,” he said.

Start-up heaven

This week Brisbane has been the epicentre of global agrifood innovation with 10 of the world’s leading agritech start-ups and dozens of Australian ones attending Agventure Downunder at the Convention Centre.

The event is part of evoke AG. the premier agrifood tech event in the Asia-Pacific region aimed at connecting international agritech start-ups to the Australian

agricultural ecosystem.

Supported by Brisbane-based specialist early-stage agrifood tech venture capital firm

Mandalay Venture Partners, the program aims to accelerate the future of sustainable agriculture

by connecting global innovators, showcasing transformative solutions and fostering

collaborations that address critical challenges in food production.

Originally published as Michelle James resigns as chair of the QBCC, as frustration soars over Productivity Commission review