What Now for 2020

On a business footing Richard Fitzsimons BSc (Hons) MRICS has joined the team.  Richard has a wealth of experience and can only enhance the professionalism and services offered by the practice.

The election results at the end of 2019 at least gave some direction after several years of total uncertainty, resulting in low confidence.  Thankfully after nearly three years of a non functioning Assembly, the MLA’s are back and despite the scepticism can only benefit the whole community.  Most commentators predict the time frame to get Trade Deals and relationship with the European Union sorted to be unrealistic.  Likewise there will be many inevitable fallouts within the Local Assembly.

Economic predictions from various commentators are for under single digit growth, Global influences with heightened threat of conflict in the Middle East, Trade disputes between USA and China and also climate issues are all going to impact us at a local level.   The continuing bush fires engulfing large swathes of grounds, destroying communities and wild life in Australia with various other disasters including flooding, hurricanes etc show how difficult the year ahead will be.  There is a new increased awareness and emphasis on climate change and unless this is addressed will eclipse all other matters going forward.

Hopefully despite all the gloomy predictions the local, national and international politicians can use common sense and be pragmatic with the various issues.  It would be great if 2020 can be a new chapter moving forward.

Last year we mentioned sport unites and with the Olympics being in 2020 in Japan, hopefully this mirrors how the Japanese embraced the Rugby World Cup in 2019.  This culminated in Siya Kolisi, the first black man to captain the Springboks and leading South Africa to victory.  Political leaders should take heed.

It is difficult to predict the year ahead but we are already buoyed with some indications of confidence returning locally.  Hopefully we will not be starved by the lack of housing stock coming on the market and with decision making being made on capital expenditure and infrastructure projects, will boost the construction sector with a multiplier effect throughout the economy.

Here’s hoping this improvement can be sustained.