Catherine Carter has resigned as executive director of the ACT Property Council after a decade in the influential role.
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Ms Carter said she would set up a private consultancy in Canberra.
She rejected any suggestion of entering politics, as the major parties firmed up candidates for the 2016 election.
"I can confirm I won't be standing for any party," she said on Wednesday.
Ms Carter has been an outspoken voice for the property industry. She has frequently taken on the government over land taxes and charges that hit the property sector and has been a strong supporter of the abolition of stamp duty on house sales.
Council chief executive Ken Morrison said Ms Carter had been "a passionate and powerful champion of Canberra".
"She has led the debate for the urban renewal and revitalisation of Canberra which is helping to transform the city in so many ways, and has been a strong advocate for tax reform," he said.
Property Council ACT president George Katheklakis said property was Canberra's second-largest employer and Ms Carter had been a powerful advocate.
The property council has yet to choose a replacement.