Geotechnical Consulting

We provide materials characterisation and performance testing to support a wide range of geotechnical and construction applications, including:

• Earthworks and structural fill materials

• Pavement subbase and base materials

• Quarry and manufactured aggregates

• Select fills and engineered fills

• Drainage and filter materials

• Mining earthworks, WRDs and TSF construction materials

Our services typically include classification, performance screening and durability assessment to establish what materials are suitable for, how they will behave during construction, and what controls are required to manage risk.

Testing outputs are used to inform:

• Material suitability and limitations

• Constructability and compaction behaviour

• Blending and optimisation strategies

• Specification compliance pathways

• Risk-based acceptance criteria

Where required, we also support the development of testing scopes and compliance strategies aligned with Australian Standards, Austroads and Main Roads / TMR specifications.

​

Proven Project Experience

Matthew has delivered end-to-end materials and geotechnical engineering support from greenfield quarry development through to major infrastructure supply, including quarry establishment and materials delivery for the Gympie Bypass Bruce Highway Upgrade. His experience includes hands-on laboratory testing, quarry compliance to Main Roads specifications, and development of complete quarry product suites supplying four concrete plants and two asphalt plants.

He brings extensive experience across hard rock and sand quarries, with a strong practical background from several years working in a geotechnical laboratory, enabling technically sound, production-focused solutions with clear compliance pathways.

Test results are only valuable if they are correctly interpreted.

We link geotechnical testing directly to engineering behaviour, including:

• Moisture sensitivity and workability risk

• Plasticity, segregation and fines instability

• Compaction response and density control

• Durability under wet–dry cycling

• Breakdown and degradation under construction traffic

• Long-term performance risk in pavements and earthworks

This approach ensures testing informs practical construction decisions, not just reporting requirements.

Geotechnical testing is delivered as part of our structured four-level consulting framework, allowing support to scale with project and operational needs.

Level 1 – Baseline Materials Testing

Classification and performance screening to establish a clear, defensible technical baseline and identify constraints, risks and optimisation opportunities.

Level 2 – Ongoing Testing & Materials Optimisation

Retainer-based technical oversight integrating testing results with production QA, blending strategies and constructability optimisation as conditions evolve.

Level 3 – Project-Specific Testing Programs

Scoped testing programs developed for specific projects, specifications or approvals, with targeted interpretation and defined deliverables.

Level 4 – Technical Authority & Independent Review

Senior technical oversight of materials testing programs, including review of third-party laboratory results, compliance strategies and technical decision-making.

This structure ensures testing effort is proportionate, targeted and value-driven, rather than excessive or misaligned with project risk.

Our testing services are independent and technically driven, not tied to material supply, construction delivery or laboratory production targets.

We work closely with:

• Civil contractors

• Quarry operators

• Transport authorities and compliance engineers

• Mining project teams

to provide clear, defensible advice on material performance, suitability and risk.

Where performance-based solutions are appropriate, we assist in developing and justifying compliant alternatives to prescriptive specifications, supported by targeted testing and engineering rationale.

Clients engage us for geotechnical testing because they want:

• Early understanding of material limitations and risk

• Reduced rework, delays and construction uncertainty

• Testing that directly informs engineering decisions

• Independent advice aligned to project outcomes, not test volume

• Clear pathways for dealing with marginal or variable materials

Our goal is to provide fit-for-purpose materials characterisation that supports efficient construction, compliance confidence and long-term performance.

All testing is undertaken for engineering characterisation, performance assessment and advisory purposes.

Testing is not performed under NATA accreditation and is not intended to replace formal accredited compliance testing where this is contractually or regulatorily required.

Where NATA-accredited results are required, testing outputs may be used to:

• Define and target accredited testing scopes

• Reduce unnecessary testing volume

• Support engineering justification and interpretation of accredited results

This approach enables cost-effective early decision-making while maintaining clear pathways to formal compliance where required.