Co-founder and Partner of HDC Planning, Gilbert Blandin de Chalain has over 25 years’ experience in planning and environmental management. His wide-ranging career as an environmental and planning professional has seen him provide strategic and statutory planning management services to the development industry. Gilbert’s expertise lies in working with council to ensure development approval.

Prior to starting HDC Planning, Gilbert held diverse roles in both local and state government. As Principal of B. de C. Environmental Pty. Ltd., he oversaw major urban renewal projects in Sydney’s inner west, west and south west, including the development of land for residential flat buildings. Gilbert has also held an academic position with the University of Western Sydney (UWS) as a lecturer in areas of Environmental Planning, Regulation and Risk Management, Urban Development and Housing.​

Gilbert is a member of the Planning Institute of Australia (MPIA) and holds a Bachelor of Applied Science and Master of Planning. He is a focused and forward-thinking team leader who is passionate about providing excellent client service.

David Haskew holds a Bachelor of Town Planning (Hons 1) from the University of NSW and has a broad range of experience in various aspects of town planning and development. He has particular expertise in providing expert witness services for the NSW Land and Environment Court, with 22 years’ experience in this role. He is a highly motivated and articulate professional with a keen eye for detail.

Before founding HDC Planning with Gilbert de Chalain, David was the founding director at Haskew Planning, where he was responsible for a range of planning and development work, including providing expert witness services, Environmental Impact Statements and Traffic Impact Statements. David has also previously worked for Rockdale and Campbelltown City Councils, and has presented lectures and tutorials in town planning at the University of NSW.

Edwina has 17 years experience as a planning and design professional and has held statutory and strategic planning positions with planning consultancies, Councils and State and Commonwealth government departments. Edwina also has extensive experience across ACT, NSW and Queensland jurisdictions and is available to undertake projects in all three states.

Edwina’s extensive experience in local government, in large development assessment teams, has built a solid base of project management and legislative interpretation skills. She has a strong understanding of local government processes and is skilled at managing all stakeholder expectations (incl. applicant, community, internal staff, consultants and elected representatives) during the development assessment process.

As a town planning consultant, Edwina has created and managed planning documentation for numerous major developments from inception to completion. She has a thorough appreciation of the multidisciplinary input that is required with the preparation of major development applications and has extensive experience liaising with designers, surveyors, architects, councils and management of sub-consultants to obtain the relevant investigations and reports. She has high level research and written skills and prepares thorough and high quality planning reports. She greatly enjoys the creative and collaborative process that is involved with development proposals. She is highly organised and manages clients’ expectations professionally and practically.

Edwina also has considerable research, liaison, negotiation and conflict resolution skills and has a strong personal interest in architecture, urban design, transport, infrastructure and sustainable development.

Qualified with a Bachelor of Town Planning focused on City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning from UNSW Australia. 

Alec is HDC Planning’s Assistant Planner fulfilling project support and planning research functions. Alec is new to the town planning profession but brings with him a good understanding of the building industry being a fully qualified carpenter. Before joining HDC Planning Alec worked on a variety of residential and commercial projects across the metropolitan region of Sydney.

While working for HDC Planning, Alec is also pursuing university level studies in urban management and planning.