Brian Stewart

Chief Executive and General Counsel, Urban Development Institute of Australia (Queensland)

Brian Stewart commenced as Chief Executive of UDIA (Qld) in July 2002, and since then has been a prominent force in the Institute’s campaigns on issues including affordable housing, land supply, sustainable development, coordinated regional planning, improved infrastructure provision and the overhaul of the Integrated Planning Act.

The author of “An Industry Inquiry into Affordability of Home Ownership in Queensland, 2006” and co-author of “The UDIA National Inquiry into Housing Affordability in Australia, 2007”, Mr Stewart was appointed Executive Director of UDIA National in late 2006, while still UDIA (Qld) Chief Executive, to establish a stronger national presence for the Institue and to oversee the development of a National Office in Canberra, and the recruitment of a National Executive Director to the National role.

Mr Stewart’s credentials include expertise in law, policy development, general management and consumer protection, all of which prove invaluable in managing the many issues dealt with by the State’s peak property development industry body.

Key appointments in Mr Stewart’s career include terms as Director-General of several State Government Departments, including the Department of the Attorney-General, Queensland Emergency Services, and the Director-General of the Department of Consumer Affairs where he was Director General and Commissioner for Consumer Affairs, and the Department of Justice and Attorney General.

Prior to these appointments, Mr Stewart worked extensively in senior policy development roles with the Queensland Government involving drugs and organised crime, as well as representing Australia at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights.

A Barrister-at-Law by profession, as well as holding an MBA and teaching qualifications, Mr Stewart was a Parole Officer and a Crown Prosecutor and Assistant Public Defender for some years early in his career.

Private sector managerial experience includes time as Chief Executive Officer of G James Glass and Aluminium and running his own business consultancy practice.

Immediately to joining the UDIA (Qld), Mr Stewart was the Chief Executive of the ENERGEX Brisbane Festival, responsible for the overall running and consistent financial success of this Festival since its inception in 1996, and General Manager of the Queensland Performing Arts Centre.

 

An active participant in his profession and the community, Mr Stewart has held a number of key positions including those of Chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Committee, and Chairman of the Appeal Costs Fund Tribunal. Mr Stewart is currently an independent Director of the Real Estate Institute of Queensland