Who are the people behind Canberra’s most sustainable community? This week we meet Steve Harding, Ginninderry’s Project Director.

Steve is responsible for overall project governance and reporting to the Ginninderry Joint Venture Board, whilst also coordinating the various work streams of the project to deliver the overall project vision.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I hold tertiary qualifications in Civil Engineering and have completed a Masters of Business Administration majoring in Property Development.

Before commencing at Ginninderry, I worked for a large multi-national company for close to 20 years, where I developed extensive experience in the property development industry, working on several landmark projects in Sydney. In 2007 I moved to Canberra with my young family to manage the master-planned community developments of Forde and Springbank Rise. It was a move I have never regretted!

As Project Director, I enjoy the variety and challenge of large complex projects and working alongside people who share my passion for delivering projects that positively impact people’s lives.

My escape from work is typically the weekends! But I also like to keep active during the week, playing tennis socially one night a week, and exercising most mornings during the week, either running or swimming, so by the time I’m in the office I’m already energised for the day ahead.

What does your role bring to the Ginninderry project?

I like to think of my role as a key facilitator. I place a lot of trust in the expert and diverse team we have working on the project and the specific set of skills and passion they display every day in striving to deliver outcomes that support our project vision.

I empower the team to be accountable and take ownership of their decisions, whilst at the same time help ensure the team’s energies and focus are channelled in the areas that make the most impact.

Ultimately my role is to support the project team and help cultivate an effective and collaborative work culture, where people feel engaged in their daily work and that their individual contributions are valued so they are motivated to enrich the lives of others; be that of their work colleagues or one of our many project stakeholders.

A fun fact?

For the last 15 years, since living in Canberra, I have been in the habit of catching up with some old friends once a year to go ski touring. We camp in the snow only taking the gear that we can carry on our backs. There’s no creature comforts out in the middle of the Kosciuszko National Park in the middle of winter, but it is a great escape and keeps me well grounded.

Oh, and I’m a 10th cousin of Harry Styles!