Over the last few weeks, I’ve had the absolute pleasure of connecting with a number of civil earthworks teams across Melbourne. I’ve spent time sitting down with them, getting to know what makes their businesses tick, hearing their stories, and exploring where I can lend a hand as environmental support.
And honestly — I’ve loved every minute of it.
There’s something really energising about meeting people where they are, in their own environments, and listening to the reality of their day-to-day operations. What’s working, what’s frustrating, what’s unknown or unclear, and what they’re proud of. These conversations aren’t about pointing fingers or listing what’s “non-compliant”, they are about creating space for curiosity and growth.
I’ve always believed that environmental management shouldn’t be a standalone function, or something that only shows up when there’s a problem to fix. It’s not just audits, inspections, or signing off on erosion and sediment control. It’s a conversation. It’s a partnership. And most importantly, it’s human.
From Site Visits to Shared Success
During my time with Fulton Hogan New Zealand, I had the privilege of working across various regional teams throughout the North Island. It gave me a real appreciation for the diversity of challenges each site and crew faces, depending on location, scale, scope, and even weather.
No two teams operated exactly the same way, and that was the key lesson for me. Listening mattered. Understanding mattered. Trust was built not by telling people what they were doing wrong, but by recognising what they were already doing right and building from there.
That same principle holds true here in Melbourne. Civil and earthworks teams are busy, really busy. Timelines are tight, weather windows are narrow, and crews are juggling multiple priorities. Environmental considerations are often squeezed between construction demands and compliance pressures.
So my approach is simple: Make it easier. Make it practical. Make it feel like something that adds value, not something that adds burden.
Environmental Support That Supports
A big part of what I do is help companies improve their environmental systems whether that’s refining erosion and sediment controls, streamlining waste tracking, lifting awareness around contaminated materials, or building up compliance confidence.
But the part that really matters — the part that gets people engaged — is the day-to-day stuff. The informal chats during smoko. The simple, visual toolbox talks that don’t drone on. (Yes, sometimes I bribe them with chocolate — it works.)
When people feel like they’re part of the solution, when they understand the “why” behind what we’re asking them to do: They respond. They engage. They remember.
Environmental and sustainability outcomes improve not because someone turned up with a clipboard, but because someone turned up and actually listened.
Moving from “Telling” to “Teaching”
One of the best shifts I’ve seen in the last few years and one that I really try to encourage is moving toolbox talks and site engagements away from the old “telling” model. You know the one: someone reads out a few slides, people zone out, and no one remembers anything the next day.
Instead, I aim for interaction. I ask questions. I bring photos and examples. I make it relevant to the job they’re doing today. Sometimes we even laugh and honestly, that goes a long way. The more human we make environmental, sustainability and safety conversations, the more likely they are to stick.
And if a little treat makes the message land? Bring it on.
Why Consulting?
People often ask me why I chose to step into consulting. The answer is easy: I wanted to work with good companies doing good work who genuinely want to do the right thing, but might just need a little help along the way.
Not every business has the time, resources, or in-house expertise to manage every environmental challenge on their own. And that’s okay. That’s exactly where I come in.
I’m not here to be the expert on the pedestal. I’m here to work alongside teams, share what I know, and support them to build internal capability so that environmental performance becomes something they own, understand, and value.
It’s not just about compliance; it’s about culture. And culture starts with connection.
Building Lasting Impact
The most rewarding part of this work? It’s seeing the shift happen over time. Watching a site supervisor gain confidence in interpreting their own permit conditions. Seeing a crew start to take pride in their erosion controls. Getting a phone call because “we found something weird underground and thought you’d want to know.”
These are the moments that matter. Not because they’re big or flashy, but because they’re real. They represent buy-in. And when that happens, you know you’ve made an impact that will outlast your presence on site.
Looking Ahead
As I continue to grow my consultancy, these recent weeks have reminded me exactly why I do what I do. I get to be part of the solution, not by doing it for people, but by doing it with them.
There’s a lot of talk in our industry about sustainability, ESG, and compliance. But at the heart of it all, it’s still about people. And when you bring good people together, with the right support and shared values, you can create lasting, positive change.
That’s what I’m here for.
If you’re in the civil construction or earthworks space and you’re looking to improve your environmental practices in a practical, achievable way — I’d love to chat. Whether it’s system reviews, onsite training, or just having someone to bounce ideas off, I’m here to support you. Because doing the right thing shouldn’t feel like a hassle, it should feel like progress.
TIH Consulting 
Leave a comment