North Queensland Geared for Growth
Neville Smith knows what makes North Queensland tick!
Growing up in the regional township of Ingham and relocating to Townsville in his early twenties, his love of the region, its people, and its potential, is as indelible as the cane fields and coastline.
As the latest senior leader to join Burgess Rawson’s growing Queensland team, Neville draws on a 17 year career in property that has seen him position Townsville, and North Queensland, firmly on the investor radar.
His entry into commercial sales and leasing, he says, was a ‘huge learning curve’.
“I’d worked in retail management roles in Ingham from a very early age and relocated to Townsville in my early twenties in 2003, just as the market was starting to turn, and leapt straight into commercial selling and leasing,” says Neville.
His first deal?
“I was asked to sell an industrial property in Garbutt. At the time, the average industrial asset was selling for $350,000. I sold it for $750,000. I’ll never forget it.”
From there, Neville marketed the Riverside Shopping Centre, which he sold for $3.8 million.
“That client relationship has been so important to me personally and professionally and they have stayed with me throughout my career.”
Since then, Neville has toppled one record after another, including Castlerock’s $145 million portfolio acquisitions in Mackay and Townsville – recognised as one of the largest office transactions ever achieved in Queensland outside of Brisbane.
He has also completed the successful negotiation of various large-scale leases, including the new Dairy Farmers (now Bega) North Queensland Distribution Centre in Townsville.
“Townsville isn’t a regional Queensland city, it’s the capital of northern Australia,” says Neville.
“As a city of 200,000 we pack real punch, drawing on a regional catchment of more than 800,000 and access to nationally significant air, road and international port logistics.
“This of course is tied very closely to the region’s diverse economic drivers, which spans mining, agriculture, health, education, and the largest defence force base, Lavarack Barracks, in the country.”
These attributes, says Neville, have caught the attention of major national and international retailers.
“The future is large format retail. We’re seeing major retailers upsizing and repositioning for the growth that’s to come, which is driving the development of new industrial and distribution precincts.
“For investment groups, these assets are a key focus, alongside government, large format retail and medical assets, and other essential assets such as childcare, fuel and fast food.”
In 2016, all levels of government committed to the Townsville City Deal – a 15 year investment that will deliver strategic and transformational outcomes for the region.
Major projects already completed under the City Deal include the $295 million Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Haughton Pipeline Stage 1, Townsville Workforce Development Plan, Townsville Health and Knowledge Development Strategy and the Port of Townsville Channel Upgrade.
North Queensland also offers an enviable lifestyle that Neville is proud to share with his family.
Speaking from his 100-acre cattle property outside of Townsville, he says the culture, people, and 300 days of sunshine each year is hard to beat.
“My grandparents owned a cane farm and it’s a lifestyle that I wanted to give to my kids. It’s the balance of life.”
Neville’s depth of property knowledge extends the entire length of Queensland’s east coast, from Brisbane to Cairns including Rockhampton, Mackay and Townsville, underpinned by longterm, valued relationships with repeat clients across Australia.
“People will always have honesty from me,” says Neville.
“I have a genuine love of all market aspects, from small businesses to major asset portfolios. It gives me a 360-degree view of the market and above all else, I enjoy the work.
“I never dismiss any client who has a requirement, whether it’s 50sqm or 5,000sqm.”
Prior to joining Burgess Rawson, Neville led the Sales & Leasing division at Colliers Townsville.
He says his new role will enable him to tap into, and help build, their growing Queensland team under the leadership of Managing Director (QLD), Adam Thomas.
During the past year, Burgess Rawson has transacted more than $1.78 billion in commercial property deals nationally.
Burgess Rawson Chief Executive, Ingrid Filmer welcomed Neville to the team.
“Our decision to expand into Townsville is a strategic one and recognises the city’s significant role as the economic gateway to Asia and northern Australia,” Ms Filmer said.
“Neville has been a trusted advisor and industry leader for almost two decades and with his insights, networks and reputation, we are well placed to build a high-performing team based in Townsville that complements our growing Queensland presence.”
Burgess Rawson’s expanding Queensland business follows the consolidation of its Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne offices last year and a number of key appointments to the company’s leadership team.
Mr Smith said his new role will service clients from Cairns to Rockhampton.
“We know there is strong interest across a broad spectrum of assets in these cities and I enjoy delivering great results,” says Neville.
“Our vision is to be a commercial partner for all businesses and investors in North Queensland. Commercial property is a dynamic sector built on trust, honesty, teamwork and how you treat people that really counts.
“I have a lot of respect for mateship and the values that go along with that, and I’m looking forward to building a team that thrives in this space.”