Michael Tolhurst
Avoca Beach,Australia
Summary
Acquisition Manager and property professional with extensive experience delivering complex property acquisitions and strategic project outcomes across New South Wales and Victoria. Highly skilled in navigating planning and legislative frameworks, conducting comprehensive due diligence, and undertaking detailed risk analysis to support executive-level decision-making.
Proven ability to engage and manage diverse stakeholder groups, including landowners, government agencies, legal advisers, and project teams, to facilitate successful acquisition outcomes and project delivery. Recognised for strong commercial acumen, legal compliance expertise, and the ability to negotiate and manage complex property transactions while balancing strategic, operational, and regulatory requirements.
Demonstrated success in identifying opportunities, mitigating risks, and driving acquisition strategies that support organisational objectives and optimise project outcomes.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Acquisition Manager
Inland Rail
01.2025 - Current
- Successfully acquired over 95% of properties and interests in property by voluntary process (whole and partial) for utility providers, ARTC, Inland Rail, and other key stakeholders to support business objectives
- Strong understanding of NSW & VIC planning legislation and its impact on a property’s highest and best use, supported by the ability to undertake comprehensive due diligence and risk analysis to de-risk property-related business decisions
- Prepared briefs and business cases to support strategic pr project decisions and cost-benefit analyses, enabling informed decision-making by stakeholders, including up to CEO level
- Assisted project & delivery managers in mitigating delivery risk and cost overruns related to contractor variation claims from delayed property access and compliance requirements
- Successful negotiation of end to end land access agreements including leases and licenses
- Effective communication and cross-collaboration with internal and external stakeholders to achieve project deliverables, including but not limited to engaging with consultants, impacted landowners, and internal experts to deliver program-wide results
- Procurement of instructions for experts at the project level (Surveyors, Valuers, Town Planners, Engineers, Consultants)
- Presented acquisition proposals to senior management to gain approvals
- Completed comprehensive in-house valuation support across NSW and VIC to de risk time sensitive and high risk project decision making
Property Claims Administrator & Senior Project Officer Valuations and Acquisitions
Transport for NSW
11.2022 - 12.2024
- Liaised with internal TfNSW teams and external experts and lawyers to prepare and progress Class 3 matters through the NSW Land Environment Court
- Procurement of case strategies to help support meaningful and targeted negotiations to narrow items in dispute to reach amicable outcomes during a mediation conference
- Prepared briefing notes and professional correspondence while applying a strong understanding of relevant case law across various scenarios
- Reviewed expert evidence, including valuation reports, hydrology reports, and town planning reports, to support TfNSW’s legal position in Court
- Applied knowledge of property and legal databases to support legal inquiries
- Managed the organization and maintenance of the litigation database to ensure efficient access to information
Valuer/Senior Valuer
Valuer General NSW
11.2021 - 10.2022
- Conducted sales analysis, market research, and site inspections while monitoring and updating internal valuation databases to support accurate property valuations
- Completed valuations for Rating and Taxing purposes, including but not limited to industrial, retail, public lands, residential and specialised asset classes
- Attended to and resolved valuation objections and disputes as lodged under
- Responded to Just Term Queries based on manager instructions to support executive decision making
- Liaised with NSW residents on valuation queries and objections to resolve issues and ensure transparency in the valuation process.
- Performed various administrative tasks as needed to support team operations
Senior Valuer
Acumentis Group
06.2021 - 11.2021
- Conducted mortgage security valuations for residential properties, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and client requirements
- Upheld API compliance with valuation inspection protocols and report writing protocols, resulting in no external personal third-party complaints
- Conducted family law valuations for legal proceedings
- Completed government property valuations for financial reporting purposes
- Completed insurance valuations for risk assessment
- Conducted detailed development and feasibility valuations for investment analysis for a range of clients
Senior Valuer
Preston Rowe Paterson
01.2014 - 01.2021
- Conducted mortgage security valuations for various property types (Residential, Commercial, Industrial/Short & Long Forms)
- Conducted valuations for family law cases
- Financial Reporting Valuations
- Conducted comprehensive market research and sales analysis to inform valuation decisions and support client objectives
- Produced detailed valuation reports independently, ensuring accuracy and compliance with standards
- Trained junior staff and conducted peer reviews to enhance valuation accuracy and team competency which led to a significant reduction to the level of valuation compliance errors reported
- High level understanding and adept use of valuation software systems to achieve high level fee writing whilst maintaining low risk to the business operations
Property Manager
Ray White Toowong
, Australia
01.2009 - 01.2011
- Conducted routine property inspections to ensure compliance with safety standards and maintenance requirements
- Liaised with landlords and tenants to facilitate communication and resolve concerns effectively
- Facilitated resolution of tenant disputes through mediation and communication
- Conducted open house inspections to showcase properties to potential tenants
- Prepared residential lease agreements by gathering necessary tenant and property information
- Oversaw rental arrears process to ensure timely collection of overdue rents
Education
Graduate Certificate - Urban Planning and Design
University of Technology Sydney
12-2022
Bachelor of Property -
Central Queensland University (CQU)
12-2013
Certificate IV -
Property Services
12-2009
Skills
- Property Acquisition & Land Access Management
- Due Diligence & Property Investigations
- Risk Analysis & Mitigation
- Legal & Regulatory Compliance
- Cost-Benefit Analysis & Financial Assessment
- Market Research & Commercial Intelligence
- Project Management & Delivery
- Stakeholder Engagement & Relationship Management
- Quality Assurance & Governance
- Strategic Decision-Making
- Change Management
- Process Improvement & Optimisation
- Project Coordination
- Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
- Contract Negotiation & Management
- Planning & Property Legislation (NSW & VIC)
- Executive Reporting & Business Case Development
- Cross-Functional Team Collaboration
- Property Valuation & Compensation Negotiations
- Attention to Detail
Professional Referees
Available on request
Additional Memberships Qualifications
- Associate of the Australian Property Institute (AAPI)
- Member of Planning Institute Australia (PIA)
- CPA – Core Practitioner Qualification
- Current Construction White Card
Timeline
Acquisition Manager
Inland Rail
01.2025 - Current
Property Claims Administrator & Senior Project Officer Valuations and Acquisitions
Transport for NSW
11.2022 - 12.2024
Valuer/Senior Valuer
Valuer General NSW
11.2021 - 10.2022
Senior Valuer
Acumentis Group
06.2021 - 11.2021
Senior Valuer
Preston Rowe Paterson
01.2014 - 01.2021
Property Manager
Ray White Toowong
01.2009 - 01.2011
Graduate Certificate - Urban Planning and Design
University of Technology Sydney
Bachelor of Property -
Central Queensland University (CQU)
Certificate IV -
Property Services