Christina Jane Schutt
Maaroom,Australia
Summary
Land & Leasing Specialist with Fraser Coast Regional Council, recognized for expertise in strategic property management and compliance. Successfully led teams in executing complex projects, including a comprehensive land audit and leasing reform. Skilled in stakeholder engagement and risk management, enhancing transparency and governance in local government operations.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Land & Leasing Specialist
Fraser Coast Regional Council
, Australia
01.2025 - Current
- Lead the Land and Leasing function within the Governance directorate, providing strategic and operational leadership for Council’s land tenure and leasing portfolio.
- Responsible for high-level advice, compliance, reporting, and delivery of complex projects aligned with Council’s strategic objectives.
- Directly manage and mentor a team of four staff, providing leadership, performance management, coaching, and professional development.
- Coordinate Council-wide land and leasing initiatives, ensuring statutory compliance and improved governance outcomes.
- Led a comprehensive land audit with an external consultant to identify all Council land assets, tenure arrangements, and current uses.
- Delivered a six-month leasing reform project, bringing approximately 300 Council leases up to date, improving compliance and portfolio transparency.
- Worked closely with the Property Maintenance team to progress a digital inspection application, ensuring inspection data supports both maintenance planning and leasing decision-making.
- Facilitated structured Councillor workshops that resulted in the development of a two-year Land Strategy identifying high-priority assets for divestment.
- Contributed to revenue generation strategies by identifying surplus and underutilised land assets for future sale and reinvestment into community, organisational, and social housing needs.
- Prepare detailed reports, briefing notes, and recommendations for Council and Executive, supporting informed and defensible decision-making.
Commercial Property Officer
Fraser Coast Regional Council
, Australia
11.2024 - 01.2025
- Responsible for the management of Council’s commercial property portfolio, supporting acquisitions, disposals, leasing, and policy review activities.
- Managed day-to-day commercial leasing matters including negotiations, renewals, compliance, and stakeholder liaison.
- Supported acquisition and disposal processes for Council-owned land and property.
- Reviewed and updated leasing fees and charges to improve consistency and financial sustainability.
- Provided property advice to internal stakeholders to support operational and strategic outcomes.
Solicitor and Senior Commercial Law Roles
Legal & Property Career
, Australia
01.2020 - 01.2024
- Practised across private legal firms in Queensland with a strong focus on commercial law, property, and leasing matters.
- Held senior responsibilities including client advisory, file carriage, supervision of staff, and management of complex transactions.
- Admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland in March 2023.
- Provided legal advice across commercial leasing, property transactions, contract negotiation, and risk management.
- Acted as Head of a Commercial Law Team, leading staff, supervising files, and managing workflow and client relationships.
- Drafted, reviewed, and negotiated complex commercial agreements and property-related documentation.
- Worked closely with clients to provide pragmatic, risk-aware legal solutions within tight commercial timeframes.
Paralegal Roles
Earlier Legal Experience
, Australia
01.2010 - 01.2020
- Over 10 years’ experience working in law firms in paralegal and senior support roles prior to 2020.
- This experience provided extensive practical exposure to legal practice and client service across multiple disciplines.
- Commercial law and commercial leasing.
- Property law and conveyancing.
- Wills, estates and succession planning.
- Litigation support and court processes.
- File management, client liaison, and document preparation.
Education
Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice -
College of Law
11-2022
Bachelor of Laws -
University of Southern Queensland
08-2022
Master of Public Policy -
Charles Darwin University
Skills
- Strategic property management and land/asset management
- Local government governance, compliance and reporting
- Leasing portfolio management
- People leadership and workforce development
- Councillor, executive leadership and community engagement strategies
- Contract and tender administration and procurement processes
- Policy development and implementation
- Risk management strategies
- Statutory interpretation skills
- TechnologyOne proficiency
- Microsoft Office Suite expertise
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Land & Leasing Specialist
Fraser Coast Regional Council
01.2025 - Current
Commercial Property Officer
Fraser Coast Regional Council
11.2024 - 01.2025
Solicitor and Senior Commercial Law Roles
Legal & Property Career
01.2020 - 01.2024
Paralegal Roles
Earlier Legal Experience
01.2010 - 01.2020
Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice -
College of Law
Bachelor of Laws -
University of Southern Queensland
Master of Public Policy -
Charles Darwin University