As senior reporter at The Sydney Morning Herald, Julie Power masterfully navigates the intersection of urban design, equitable tourism, and transport innovation. Her work consistently bridges policy analysis with human-centered storytelling, making her essential reading for planners and entrepreneurs alike.
"The best pitches frame technical details through community voices—show me who benefits and how."
Julie Power has cultivated a distinguished career spanning over two decades, evolving from business-focused journalism to becoming a leading voice in architecture, urban development, and sustainable travel. Her early work at The Australian Financial Review and parliamentary press gallery coverage laid the groundwork for her analytical approach to policy and infrastructure. A pivotal shift occurred during her U.S. tenure, where she deepened her expertise in marketing and trade dynamics, skills she later applied to Australia’s urban challenges.
This 2024 feature dissects Sydney’s zoning reforms through case studies of Barangaroo and Green Square. Power interviewed city planners, developers, and heritage activists to reveal how adaptive reuse of industrial sites reduces carbon footprints. Her analysis of "green density" metrics demonstrated how high-rises could coexist with green corridors, a framework now referenced in municipal workshops.
"Sydney isn’t choosing between history and progress—it’s rewriting the rulebook to honor both."
Power’s data-driven exploration of Australia’s $150B tourism rebound revealed surprising insights: 68% of operators now prioritize Indigenous-led experiences over mass-market packages. By embedding with a Dharug cultural tour in Blue Mountains, she illustrated how decolonizing travel narratives drives both economic recovery and reconciliation efforts.
In this cross-platform collaboration, Power profiled three Australian startups using AI to reduce pedestrian fatalities. Her critique of legacy regulations blocking smart traffic-light adoption prompted parliamentary committee testimony, with Transport NSW fast-tracking pilot programs in Western Sydney.
Power seeks case studies demonstrating tangible community outcomes from architectural projects. A 2023 piece on Melbourne’s “vertical schools” succeeded because it paired developer interviews with teacher testimonials about student wellbeing. Avoid theoretical urbanism; focus on metrics like reduced commute times or increased public space access.
Her coverage increasingly centers First Nations voices shaping regional tourism. Successful pitches map how cultural practices (e.g., fire management) create sustainable visitor economies. A recent story on Tassie’s wukalina Walk blended profit data with palawa cultural revitalization milestones.
Power favors startups addressing equity gaps, like apps improving wheelchair-accessible transit routes. A pitch about solar-powered charging stations for e-bikes gained traction by linking investor ROI to reduced health disparities in outer suburbs.
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Architecture, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
