About
Grounded is a not-for-profit organisation established to advocate, incubate and accelerate the development of Community Land Trusts in Australia. The group has come together to ensure a diverse mix of housing models is possible.
Our name is borne out of the need for more realistic land prices, out of grounding a community with a commitment to not only the best practices on land and housing economics, but also on the social side, with a commitment to social change
Our Staff
“One CLT can do more for housing affordability than 400,000 lots in the development pipeline.”
Karl Fitzgerald, Managing Director
Karl Fitzgerald, the founder and Director of Grounded, is an economist and former Director of Research at Prosper Australia, where he led an innovative research and reform agenda over 18 years. His work focused on the role of speculative investment and its impact on housing affordability. In his role at Prosper, Karl directed the Speculative Vacancy reports series for over 14 years. This led to the establishment of the Victorian Vacancy Tax, which the UN Special Rapporteur favourably referenced.
Karl also played a pivotal role in advocating for Victoria’s Rezoning Windfall Gains Tax. This was introduced to return rezoning profits back to communities for vital infrastructure, including public transport and schools. Prosper’s Staged Releases report, authored by Karl and published in 2022, disproved the myth that housing supply trickles down into affordability, critiquing the edifice that the current housing affordability policy rides on. Read the Op-ed about how developers use ‘gold tape’ to maximise profits.
Karl believes that a community-led alternative is urgently required and Community Land Trusts are the vehicle needed. This will provide an important alternative to the dominant housing models, adding competitive pressures whilst foregrounding equity and justice.
Nat Lowrey, Communications Officer
With a Master of Human Rights and Democratisation, Nat Lowrey is a communications strategist and campaigner with over 20 years of experience in human rights, social justice, and environmental issues. As Grounded’s Communications Officer, she drives systemic change through advocacy and collaboration, with a strong commitment to allyship and supporting local communities and Indigenous Peoples.
“True social, economic and environmental justice begins at home—when housing is sustainable, affordable and accessible, we lay the foundation for a more just and equitable society. Community Land Trusts shift the focus from individual profit to collective well-being, creating homes that build stronger communities.”
Our Board
Acting Chair
Alex Stott
Events and community development
Secretary
Karl Fitzgerald
Economist
Treasurer
Matt Doran
IT entrepreneur
Board Member
John Shone
Foodbuilt entrepreneur
Board Member
Tom Alexander
Housing Programs Manager
Board Member
Charlie Hewitt
Affordable Housing Coordinator
Our values
Grounded has been built on a foundation of core values that guide and direct all of the work we do.
We are:
Grounded in recognition
We acknowledge that the land that we live, work and learn on has been expertly managed by First Nations people for tens of thousands of years.
Grounded in place
We believe that land needs to be managed and cared for according to its unique, place-specific needs.
Grounded in ecology
We believe that responsible land management is critical to addressing our interwoven spiritual, social and environmental crises.
Grounded in justice
We believe that everybody deserves a home to call their own and a piece of land to nurture and protect in posterity.
Grounded in equity
We believe that land values must be grounded to the reality of our incomes in order to ensure affordability over seven generations.
Grounded in responsibility
We recognise our responsibility to future generations to build a greener, fairer, more equitable and kinder world.
Grounded in community
We understand that there has never been a more important time for people to come together around a shared vision for what our collective future can be.
