Freshly minted NSW Valuer-General Sally Dale will channel three decades of private and public sector experience – including years on the road valuing almost every suburb of Sydney – as she takes on the role overseeing the valuation of 2.6 million land parcels every year.
Sally Dale is the first female NSW valuer-general.James Brickwood
The industry veteran will start the high-profile role in June,ending a chaotic chapter that culminated in the resignation of her predecessor after allegations of bullying and intimidation.
Dale will make faster valuations of forcibly purchased properties a priority after the NSW auditor-general found owners affected by the development of Sydney’s new metro train lines had been beset by delays of more than 180 days.
Public education about valuation will also be a key focus,after to months-old valuations that did not account for recent price falls.
“Every year properties are valued on the base date of July 1,but people don’t get their notices until the following January. That’s where there can be a bit of misunderstanding in how the system works,” Dale said.
“Valuers have to be independent and read the market as they see it. But it makes it hard when the cycle of the market[fluctuates].”
The appointment spells a new phase for leadership of the office after David Parker left the role amid allegations his conduct presented a “significant and ongoing risk to the psychological wellbeing” of staff.
The complaints against Parker triggered three inquiries into his conduct,two of which substantiated claims of “bullying and intimidation of VGNSW staff”,a parliamentary report states. As a result,he was only permitted to have contact with eight select staff.
Former NSW Valuer General David Parker.Supplied
Dale declined to comment on her predecessor but said she was confident there had been a positive cultural shift,pledging to promote inclusivity when she starts in the role.
“The reports I’m getting back is that it’s totally changed there,people have a voice,” she said. “Going forward I would really like to promote it as a place of training for new valuers. An inclusive culture;encouraging and positive. I like to lead by example,and my door is always open.”
Dale said Sydney Metro and the new Western Sydney Airport represented the most significant infrastructure projects uprooting property owners in recent years.
“There has been an increase because of that investment in NSW,which did put pressure on the office,” she said,adding that,announced by the former government,will “bring NSW into the modern day”.
Minister for Land and Property Steve Kamper said,as the first female valuer-general in NSW,Dale’s appointment was in line with the government’s commitment to employ more women in senior positions.
NSW land values jumped more than 26 per cent to $2.8 trillion in the year to July 2022 – an increase of almost $600 billion from the previous year.
A parliamentary committee last year found the office of the valuer-general had fulfilled its responsibilities in managing land in NSW,but that more work was needed to ensure valuations met community and market expectations.
It also examined the conduct of the former valuer-general,finding he fulfilled his functions,but acknowledged claims of bullying and intimidation had been “substantiated” by two inquiries.
Parker disagreed with the findings,telling the inquiry the investigations had taken “a significant toll on[his] psychological wellbeing”. He also accused the department of failing to employ adequately skilled staff.
Parker was appointed in January 2020 for a term of seven years,but resigned on December 31. He declined to comment when contacted by this masthead.
Dale has been appointed valuer-general for 12 months and will need to reapply in a statutory appointment round to secure the full seven-year position.
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