Sadly, David passed away in March 2020 following a battle with cancer, leaving a strong legacy in local government, including in Melbourne's north, after more than 40 years in the sector.
This included four years with Mitchell Shire Council as chief executive from May 2016, 21 years as CEO and Director at City of Whittlesea and 12 years at the former Bulla Shire Council.
Mitchell Shire Mayor Fiona Stevens said she had the privilege of working with David when he was CEO at Mitchell Shire since the elections in 2016.
“In that short time he left a lasting legacy to our community and, over 40 years in local government, he also left a lasting impact on the sector,” Cr Stevens said.
“It is a great honour to have worked with him and to see that legacy and commitment recognised with the Order of Australia Medal.”
David was highly regarded for his planning expertise as well as his partnerships and advocacy for Melbourne’s northern growth corridor and for the unique challenges facing growth councils across Australia.
Regarded as an expert in his field, David was well known for his support of interface councils and for creating a sense of community in an ever-changing landscape.
He helped shape Melbourne’s northern growth corridor and built strong partnerships across all levels of government to support sensible planning, jobs and economic growth while maintaining township, rural and green wedge qualities.
He was also instrumental in shaping Whittlesea’s bushfire recovery support following the devastating Black Saturday fires in 2009, with a focus on reconnecting and empowering communities.
With an ability to build strong partnerships across all levels of government, industry and community, he was able to achieve exceptional outcomes, including leading policy change at a state and Federal government level and securing an annual funding stream to specifically support the unique needs of growth interface councils.
In Mitchell Shire, this fund has been instrumental in delivering new and upgraded infrastructure such as playgrounds, walking trails, recreation reserve improvements and community buildings.
David also helped establish the National Growth Areas Alliance, a key advocacy body responsible for achieving greater investment in infrastructure to support sustainable communities in growth areas across Australia.
He is remembered for his commitment to social justice, ensuring those most disadvantaged in communities were taken care of, a desire for quality services, strong community engagement, advocacy, innovation, strong financial management and planning.
David spent many years in local government in positions, including:
- Mitchell Shire Council chief executive officer, 2016-2020;
- Whittlesea City Council chief executive officer, 2007-2015 and director planning and development, 1994-2006;
- Various senior planning roles including director planning and development, Bulla Shire Council, 1983-1995;
- Various roles with local government organisations including the Interface Group of Councils, Northern Region Councils and National Growth Areas Alliance; and
- Member, Northern Metropolitan Partnership and the Hume Regional Partnership.
He also won an array of awards including:
- City of Whittlesea Award, 2009;
- Paul Jerome Award for Outstanding Public Service, Victorian Planning and Environmental Law Association, 2006; and
- The David Turnbull Memorial Prize at RMIT University was named in his honour.
