David Downie

David Downie brings vast experience to his position as Strategic Advisor to Deakin’s Centre for Regional and Rural Futures (CeRRF). He has over 30 years experience directing and implementing policy reform and delivering significant infrastructure projects for the State of Victoria, Australia. He was the former Head of the Office of Water, Victoria and also Secretary Department of Energy and Minerals, and Deputy Director General of Conservation and Environment. David is an expert in government relationships and strategy, and engagement with community, academia and business sectors. He was responsible for introducing and implementing major reform across the energy and water sectors. This included the privatisation of Energy in Victoria and the formation of the Murray Darling Basin Authority, inter-state water sharing arrangements. David has led structural reform in energy, water and the environment across the State of Victoria and nationally, including institutional, market and regulatory changes. He has acted as chief executive and senior Board member of state and private sector corporations.