David has qualifications in Natural Resources, Urban and Regional Planning and Environmental Law from the Universities of New England and Wollongong. He has worked in NSW local government, ran a sole planning practice, was co-Director/Owner of Forbes Rigby a 40pp multidisciplinary consultancy. Cardno (ASX Listed 6,500pp) acquired this business and David was promoted to Senior Principal and Business Development Manager. Cardno was in turn acquired by Stantec (TSX listed and 32,000pp) and David was promoted to Senior Principal (Planning) and Market Sector Lead (Land Development). David has now set up his own business Maddan Holdings Pty Ltd who provides strategic advisory and development services.His 35 year career covers a broad range of fields including environmental impact assessment, integrated transport and land use, regulatory reform, planning risk and the commercial aspects of mining and development. He has a strong interest in technology particularly GIS and 3D Modelling. He has managed major environmental impact assessments and strategic studies of coalmines, coal terminals, major roads, transport facilities, waste facilities, hospitals, marinas, coastal infrastructure, urban land releases and infill.David was joint Vice President of the Planning Institute of Australia (NSW Division) where he represented the Institute on several peak bodies and was membership convenor for two years. His longstanding contribution to the planning profession was recognised in 2013, when he was awarded a Fellowship of the Planning Institute.David sat on the NSW Divisional Council and Chaired the Illawarra Chapter of the Property Council of Australia from 2011 - 2014. He represented the Property Council on the Illawarra Urban Development Committee, Wollongong City Council's Economic Development Board and many regional activities including RDA Illawarra Taskforce and Illawarra Employment Lands.He is also a strong advocate for his region and regularly contributes to policy initiatives and programs that will benefit the Illawarra, Southwestern Sydney and Southern Highlands. He is called to speak on matters that affect the region especially from an industry perspective.A keen scholar, he has prepared almost twenty professional papers at conferences and in published journals. He has also chaired and facilitated more than 20 professional conferences for his respective associations. He regularly contributes to his professional associations' research and submissions in both professional work and in the media.