David Lester

Practice Areas

David has over 25 years' experience advising government entities, major Australian companies, and financial institutions across various sectors. He specialises in risk management, procurement strategy, contract preparation, negotiation, and administration, and has a strong track record in guiding major transport projects in Queensland. He also offers expertise in a range of financing transactions.

Work Highlights

Queensland Treasury and the Department of Transport and Main Roads: advised on the procurement, delivery and operation of the Toowoomba Bypass ($1.6bn) toll road project delivered as an availability style PPP.

Department of Transport and Main Roads: advising in relation to the Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail Project, which covers a critical 20-kilometre section of the Gold Coast Line between Kuraby and Beenleigh.

Brisbane City Council: advising in relation to the Brisbane Metro project, from the business case stage through to delivery of the transformational project.

Cross River Rail Delivery Authority: part of the CU team advising on the procurement and delivery of the Tunnel, Stations and Development package of Cross River Rail, delivered as a PPP.

Brisbane City Council: advised on the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the Legacy Way toll road, valued at $1.8bn.

Brisbane City Council: advised on the Clem7 5km toll road tunnel delivered as a PPP, valued at $2bn.

Lenders and borrowers: acts on bilateral and syndicated loan arrangements in various industry sectors and for general corporate, acquisition and project financing arrangements.

DTMR: advised in relation to the arrangements with Transurban Queensland for the management of the design and construction of the $1 billion Gateway upgrade North.

Queensland Government: advised on the procurement, delivery and operation of the Airport Link and Northern Busway projects.

Council: advised on financing and development aspects of the Howard Smith Wharves project.

Interstate projects: provided strategic advice on a number of projects, including North East Link, East West Link and Westconnex.

Industry Sector Expertise

Banking & Financial Institutions

Government

Infrastructure