Master Builders Association Tasmania boss Matthew Pollock quits

The head of the Master Builders Association in Tasmania, Matthew Pollock, has quit to take up the top job with the builders’ group in Western Australia.

Master Builders CEO Matthew Pollock. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The head of the Master Builders Association in Tasmania, Matthew Pollock, has quit to take up the top job with the builders’ group in Western Australia.

After five years in Tasmania he will leave at the end of the year and start as CEO with MBAWA in January next year.

Mr Pollock, who worked as chief economist with MBA Australia for two years, said he loved Tasmania but the WA job offered “a new challenge”.

“It keeps me in the MBA family and is the same role but in a bigger state and a new challenge,” he said.

Master Builders Association CEO Matthew Polloc has quit. Picture : Mireille Merlet

“I love it here, we’ve had two children since we came here.

“I’ve loved the lifestyle and am sad to go.”

Mr Pollock is pleased that the building industry in Tasmania is “strong”.

“The industry has come out the end of Covid and 12 consecutive interest rate rises and is stronger than anticipated,” he said.

“We have plenty of work in the pipeline and construction continues to play a central role in the state’s economy.

“The latest forecasts show building activity of $4.5bn in the coming years which is huge.

“We have some great projects in the pipeline as well as social and affordable housing which will keep Tasmanians in jobs.”

A strong advocate for the Macquarie Point stadium he is disappointed he will not be in Hobart to see it come to fruition.

“There’s always work that is unfinished in a job and I am confident the stadium will be built,” Mr Pollard said.

“I would have loved to be here to see it go through all the planning stages and being built.

“Hopefully in a few years I can come back and watch Tasmania play West Coast.”

Mr Pollock, an economist, grew up in southern New South Wales and went to university in Canberra.

He is relishing working in WA where the MBA has more than 1800 members compared to 600 in Tasmania.

President Michael Van Dongen told the Property Tribune that an extensive process had been conducted to fill the CEO position.

“As MBAWA celebrates 125 years of service to its members this year, we are conscious of the need to be looking forward, through appropriate strategy review and renewal, particularly as we emerge from the significant challenges of the past five years,” he said.

“With a proven track record of implementing significant strategic change over the past five years with MBA Tasmania, and his strong alignment with Master Builders culture and purpose, Matthew is well placed to successfully take MBAWA through this next chapter.”