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Shaun Whittaker

Expertise

Shaun has worked in the infrastructure and finance sector for 14 years and specialises in new economy transactions revolving around social and economic infrastructure, technology and impact investment.

His recent experience includes advising on the delivery and funding of various social and affordable housing projects, built-to-rent projects, specialist disability accommodation projects, hospital and healthcare projects, childcare facilities and technology platforms integrating with these sectors.

Shaun has the knowledge and experience to understand the political, commercial and regulatory issues when it comes to funding and delivering successful new businesses and projects and can draw on his experience acting for clients who are both private and public entities, including not-for-profit and startup enterprises.

Unlike pure projects or construction lawyers, Shaun’s background is blended across projects and finance work, making him an expert in bankability and return on investment risks in infrastructure projects. This is an invaluable skill that is becoming increasingly important for developers and sponsors as they shift towards seeking more sophisticated funding structures for their infrastructure projects including capital grants, impact investment funding, alternative debt funding and subsidised arrangements.

Shaun has been listed in The Best Lawyers in Australia since 2022 for Project Finance and Development Practice.

Experience

Shaun’s experience includes:

  • acting on the Victorian Public Housing Renewal program PPP
  • acting for Community Housing Limited in relation to their acquisition of a 161-unit affordable housing project in Alphington – the largest stand-alone affordable housing project to date in the country
  • advising various sponsors, developers and funders in relation to the development and financing of over 30 specialist disability accommodation projects and mixed- use precincts across the country
  • advising various community housing organisations on their funding applications to the National Housing Finance Investment Corporation
  • advising a new disability service online platform linking NDIS participants to carers
  • advising several applicants to the Commonwealth Structured Finance Support Fund
  • advising Houston’s Farm on their operational turnaround and debt restructure (Winner of Turnaround Management Association medium-sized Deal of the Year 2018)
  • advising a new marketplace lender on the launch of their premium funding lending platform
  • advising Onsite Rental Group Limited on their $400m debt restructure with major lenders and US Term B Loan provider
  • advising Mash Brands in relation to their expansion overseas and development of their platform.

Publications

08 March 2023 - Knowledge

Housing Australia Future Fund legislation – is it a game-changer for the housing crisis?

#Construction, Infrastructure & Projects, #Property, Planning & Development

The federal government’s proposed legislation for a $10 billion investment fund to build new social and affordable housing has been passed by the lower house. Will this solve Australia’s ongoing housing crisis?

24 August 2021 - Knowledge

The Partnership opportunity for increasing social and affordable housing in Australia

#Construction, Infrastructure & Projects, #Property, Planning & Development, #Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)

Housing developments that provide both solid long-term returns and positive social outcomes, often through public-private partnerships, are an idea whose time has come throughout Australia.

Upcoming Seminars