Lang Walker AO, the billionaire whose company developed city centres and communities across Australia, has died.
The 78-year-old co-founder of Walker Corporation passed away peacefully on Saturday evening in his Woolloomooloo home surrounded by his family.
In a statement, the family said they were heartbroken at the loss of a great man who was also a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather.
They also praised his “visionary projects and philanthropy” that “changed the lives of so many people”.
“Lang loved creating incredible places where people can live and work, but he loved his family more than anything else in the world and his generosity and affection had no boundaries,” they said.
“His zest for life and his relentless pursuit of perfection lives on within everyone in the Walker family.
“We kindly request privacy during this difficult time and thank everyone for all the messages of condolence.”
Mr Walker co-founded the company that would become Walker Corporation 60 years ago with his late father, specialising in earth-moving, excavation and quarrying, before diversifying into property development.
To date, the company had completed more than 1,200 projects — putting his fingerprint on precincts in major cities including Sydney and Melbourne.
The company developed Sydney’s King Street Wharf, Broadway shopping centre and rehabilitated Rhodes from a contaminated peninsula into a bustling residential precinct.
Mr Walker’s business acumen helped make him the 16th wealthiest person in Australia, with the AFR’s Rich List in 2023 estimating his worth at $5.81 billion.
In the past 20 years, his company donated about $2.5 million to political parties.
The company directors paid tribute to Mr Walker’s business acumen, which made him one of the “first to creatively tackle the challenge of urban transformation”.
“Lang’s vision will remain an enduring force through the Walker DNA and the Walker Way which he actively passed on — it is embedded in our culture and our modus operandi,” managing director and chief executive officer David Gallant said.
“We are grateful and honoured to have worked for and with Lang. It has been a privilege.”
(ABC)
