Since joining Ratio in June 2000, David has been a driving force behind our success and our commitment to shaping better places. His leadership, insight, and mentorship have left a lasting mark on both the Ratio team and our industry.

Below, David reflects on his career and offers some valuable advice for the next generation of planners.

Did you always know you wanted to be a planner?

I sort of fell into planning by accident. I was studying geography and, at the time, didn’t even know what planning was. A mate of mine was doing a town planning degree, and it lined up pretty well with the geography work I’d been doing. Plus, all my friends were going to Melbourne Uni and I wanted to go too, so I applied, got in, and now here we are.

What are some career milestones or projects you’re especially proud of?

I think you always remember the impressive projects that get built and you can drive past with your kids and say, “I worked on that one.” For me, Capitol Grand comes to mind for that.

On the professional side, achieving a good outcome at the Supreme Court level is incredibly rewarding. At that level, you’re sorting through the history of planning in Melbourne, right back to what you learned at university, to build your case. You’re sifting through nearly 30 years of planning history to gather your evidence.

But one of the things I’m most proud of is having played a role in the careers of some of my younger colleagues. It gives me real pride to see their development and think, “I had a small part to play in that.”

If you could give one piece of advice to someone starting in planning, what would it be? What would you tell your younger self?

Prioritise work-life balance.

That might sound strange coming from me as I spent a lot of my career being the first in the office and the last to leave, thinking that was the way to succeed. It was actually the COVID pandemic that really shifted my perspective. Being forced to work from home made me appreciate that there’s more to life than just being present at your desk, and you don’t have to miss out on important things.

If you weren’t a planner, what do you think you’d be doing instead?

Male model, obviously.

In seriousness, I might have ended up in real estate like my family. That said, I did kind of rebel against that path, so more likely I’d be teaching or doing something along those lines.

Have there been any lessons you’ve had to learn the hard way or that you’d want to pass on to young planners?

Don’t rush into expert evidence work.

When I was starting my career, there wasn’t much planning work and someone asked me if I wanted to do expert evidence, so I did. But in hindsight, I shouldn’t have jumped in so early. You need to be at the right stage of your career for that, so take time to build the expertise and confidence you need first.

What are your thoughts on the future of planning in the next 25-years, especially in Melbourne?

Like many, I am a bit worried about how well-prepared we are for Melbourne’s rapid growth in the next 25 years. There are a lot of major projects underway, like the Suburban Rail Loop, which I believe are essential to Melbourne’s long-term future. As planners, we need to be thinking long-term to address the urban challenges we will face across Victoria.

From landmark developments to Supreme Court evidence work, and from an accidental start in planning to mentoring the next generation, David’s journey over the past 25 years is a testament to his dedication and impact on both Ratio and the industry.

Thank you for your hard work, mentorship, humour, and everything you bring to Ratio, David! We’re lucky to have you.