The Urban Taskforce, a property development industry group representing Australia's most prominent property developers and equity financiers, said Gadiel had announced he would step down from the CEO role at the end of October this year, after four years in the role. 

The industry group said today Gadiel has helped shape public debate through a major body of policy work. 

"His tireless advocacy has made the community more aware that a broken planning system and high development levies breed a lack of housing affordability and increased urban congestion," said the Urban Taskforce's secretary and treasurer, David Tanevski. 

Gadiel is a lawyer by training and at Gadens he will work alongside partner Anthony Whealy providing legal and strategic advice to developers, builders, landowners, property investors, hoteliers and consultants, in relation to all aspects of land use and property development.

According to Tanevski, Gadiel's approach to advocacy has always been one of "solid intellectual argument and complete transparency". 

Prior to joining the taskforce, Gadiel was a NSW ministerial chief of staff from 1999 to 2007, and a senior political adviser on infrastructure and development.