Outgoing chairperson of Sardinia Bay Golf & Wildlife Estate Homeowners’ Association Stephan Steinmann has left an indelible mark during his time at the helm.
The 38-year-old has been highly influential in putting structures and financial policies in place to ensure capital projects can be rolled out when needed.
He has also been outstanding in his work with the golf, environmental, security and operational working groups to optimise their output and contributions to the estate.
The financial planner, who grew up in the area, has been a resident since 2018. He bought a plot three years earlier to build the home he now shares with his wife and young daughter.
About two-and-a-half years ago, he was asked whether he would be willing to step into the role of trustee and, in 2022, he was officially inducted into the position.
He was elected chairman at last year’s annual general meeting.
Even though balancing his career with HOA responsibilities has been challenging at times, he always managed to find a way thanks to the quality of the people on his team.
“I stepped into the role to look after and preserve the estate’s environment and assets,” he says.
“What sets us apart is the amazing natural vegetation. It’s what makes us different from the suburban areas and [other] estates.”
Steinmann says it is the committee’s job to look after the green areas and he gives the environmental team a lot of credit for planting new trees “on a continuous basis”.
When he took the reins, he felt that there was a need to “regroup” and consider new ways to work within a limited budget so that capital projects could be rolled out.
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“We did not want a situation where the HOA were not able to execute capital improvements, and so we put new policies in place.”
The approach is to encourage members of the HOA’s participation by voting on projects. This does not affect monthly levies as projects are budgeted for every financial year and funded by a separate account.
The HOA are currently looking at a range of new initiatives.
These include saving electricity on the sewer plant by using solar power and a backup generator; replacing the gum poles on the perimeter fencing with galvanised steel ones; and increasing road signage to remind contractors and visitors to limit their speeds within the precinct.
Steinmann says during his tenure he sought to act in an unbiased manner and to put personal feelings aside.
“Homeowners need to be included in estate decisions. It is the role of the trustees to implement and execute the wishes of the members of the HOA.”
While he is not standing for re-election at the upcoming AGM so that he can focus more on his family and business, he is sure he “will be back” one day as he has every intention of spending his retirement years on the estate.
“My time, for now, has come to an end.
“Although I will be available to support where I can, it is always good to have new ideas and fresh energy come on board, especially from the highly capable people living here.”