Senior Management Team

Robert EdisChief Financial Officer

Rob Edis has over 29 years experience working with various Australian SME’s. Rob has held Director and Company Secretary roles in both public and privately owned companies. He has broad experience across a number of industries including construction, manufacturing, distribution and services.

Rob joined Austral in August 2008 to provide an experienced financial resource to support the rapid growth of the business. His expertise in cash management, forecasting and internal reporting have provided a key internal resource to the business, ensuring sustainable growth and increased financial returns for the business.

Grem CurranEstimating Manager

Grem Curran has over 17 years experience in civil construction, initially working for a major formwork company prior to joining Austral in 2001. Grem was originally employed as a Site Supervisor for Austral advancing as a Project Engineer over a three year period.

In 2005 Grem was trained to become an Estimator and was promoted to the position of Company Estimator in 2007. Grem has gained a thorough working knowledge of all our unique plant and equipment and is capable of pricing complex multidiscipline infrastructure works with due respect to the risks involved in such projects.

Troy RichardsonSenior Project Manager

Troy Richardson has over 14 years of experience in the marine construction industry. He has broad knowledge and understanding of the Project Management and Estimating fields, having worked on a diverse range of jobs, in both Australia and the UK.

Troy joined Austral as our marine Manager in late 2008 and is based in Perth, Western Australia. He continues to work closely with our marine clients assisting with design and construction proposal and their ultimate delivery. Recent works have been located at Henderson, Fremantle, and the North West Shelf.

Julian van der Meer Western Region Manager

Julian van der Meer has over 16 years experience in various engineering and management roles in the construction industry and has developed particular expertise in managing marine construction projects in Western Australia. He has experience in technical and structural design in the mining and resources division, as well as experience in the UK concentrating on commercial and heritage structural building design.

Julian joined Austral in late 2010 as our Marine Construction Manager to enhance our marine capability in Western Australia, bringing with him previous major marine infrastructure experience along the West Coast and ensuring professional support for our marine project delivery.

James PoveySenior Project Manager

James Povey has over 10 years’ experience in the oil and gas construction industry and has over 18 years’ experience in various engineering and management roles. He has developed particular expertise in larger scale civil, piling and structural construction projects throughout Australia and has significant experience in complex project and construction management including comprehensive ground engineering, rapid project start up, high production output and major engineering solutions to design on the fly projects

Mark JohnsonMarine Superintendent

Mark Johnson commenced with Austral in 1989 and is one of the most highly regarded and knowledgeable Piling Superintendents in Australia. Mark’s knowledge of piling equipment and techniques has helped develop Austral’s piling and marine plant into one of the most modern and complementary fleets in the country. Mark always strives to find the best and safest solutions for Austral and our clients.

Clayton ShallueConstruction Superintendent

Clayton Shallue has been part of the Austral team since 1999. In 2012 he took leadership of Austral’s Pilbara civil operations and, in particular, works for BHP Billiton. Clayton has a very high practical knowledge of civil plant and contracting. Clayton’s results have been impeccable as he has continued to increase Austral’s revenue, profits and reputation in the competitive mining services industry.

Heath KeetelaarSite Superintendent

Heath has over 20 years’ experience in the civil construction and mining industry commencing as a survey technician and progressing through to senior surveyor on large scale earthworks, concrete and structural projects throughout Victoria and Western Australia. Extensive knowledge gained in design manipulation through to digital models for machine control and set out of major projects has allowed Heath to obtain the diverse experience required to progress into Project Engineering and Management roles over the past 10 years. Currently Site Superintendent for our Civil Rail division, Heath’s professional manner allows full transparency for our clients to rely on his construction and logistical knowledge to ensure all projects are completed in a safe and proficient manner.

Ken ChongHSEQ Manager

Ken Chong has over 37 years in the construction industry, spending the first 13 years of his career working as a design and construction Engineer with VicRoads. In 1992 Ken joined the private sector, working for various contractors as a Quality Assurance and OHS Manager. In 1998, Ken commenced operating as a Management Systems development and auditing professional, working for various clients across different industries including civil and bridge construction, building and infrastructure.

Ken commenced assisting Austral in 1999 to develop and implement their new Integrated Management System which was subsequently certified by SAI Global Assurance Services to ISO 9001, AS 4801 and ISO 14001 in 2000. As a registered Quality, OHS and Environmental auditor with Exemplar Global, Ken has extensive experience in auditing contractors and supplier management systems, verifying and providing assurance of compliance with specified Standards and legal requirements.

Gareth ScottSite Superintendent

Gareth is a Qualified Carpenter with extensive experience in major construction works. He is a willing and motivating team member with an ability to manage a crew whilst coordinating job allocations. Gareth can interact with Engineers, Inspectors, Supervisors and Clients to ensure that works are carried out to specifications and that works are completed in a timely manner. Gareth has the ability and experience to manage jobs to a deadline. He is proficient in reading plans and drawings and can work to them to plan the construction of formwork, roofs and frames. His experience ranges from construction projects, such as large and small bridges, wharf, concrete structures, civil construction and piling. He has a strong stance on safety and high-quality work with an ability to take responsibility, use initiative and solve problems.