Hunter Valley Development Services (HVDS) was founded in 2018 and provides engineering and town planning consultancy services across the Hunter region and broader NSW.

HVDS was borne out of many years of working in the development industry, both in local government and the private sector, and being exposed to ‘both sides’ of the industry. This exposure means that HVDS are well placed to deliver services which are unique and representative of the long-term relationships established by the Principals of HVDS, Craig Maher and Janine Maher.

Our Team

Craig Maher

Director / Principal Civil Engineer

Craig is a qualified civil engineer who possesses over 28 years’ experience in both local government and private practice.

Craig is a qualified civil engineer who possesses over 28 years’ experience in both local government and private practice.

Craig possesses a broad range of development engineering, civil engineering and project management experience. Craig specialises in the provision of consulting development engineering services; the preparation/review of planning and engineering controls; and representation in the Land and Environment Court of NSW as an expert witness.

Craig has solid working relationships with numerous councils and state government agencies, developed over many years of working in the industry, both as a local government engineer and as a consultant in the private sector.

Craig adopts a pragmatic approach to working in the development industry and is solutions focused.

Craig possesses the following qualifications:

  • Bachelor of Engineering and Management (Civil), Deakin University
  • Diploma of Engineering (Civil), Hunter Institute of Technology

Janine Maher

Principal Town Planner

Janine is a qualified town planner who possesses over 25 years’ experience in both local government and private practice.

Janine possesses a broad range of town planning and development assessment experience. Janine specialises in the assessment of large scale and complex development proposals, preparation of statement of environmental effects (SoEE), lodgement and management of applications via the Planning Portal. Janine has significant experience in the preparation of assessment reports to, and appearing before, multiple panels such and IHAP’s, LPP’s rand RPP’s.

Janine has solid working relationships with numerous councils, state government agencies and private developers.

Janine is well placed to guide your development through the complex and ever changing planning framework.

Janine possesses the following qualifications:

  • Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning (Hons), University of New England
  • Full Member, Planning Institute of Australia