About Us

Civil Consult is a boutique civil engineering consulting business based in Ballina. For more than a decade, we’ve been leaders in the delivery of fast, cost-effective and innovative civil engineering solutions for major infrastructure and residential projects across the Northern Rivers and South East Queensland.

unibridge structural engineering and temporary works design including girder proping

We’ll meet all your civil engineering needs

We’re a team of civil, structural, and geotechnical engineering consultants who are experts at managing projects across multiple industries. What makes us different is that we’ve worked as both consulting engineers and contractors. Which means we know the building industry inside out.

We have the experience and technical expertise to provide cost-effective civil engineering solutions quickly and efficiently, so you can deliver your project on time and on budget.

Our civil engineering solutions will keep your construction costs down

At Civil Consult, we know that engineering solutions are a fine balance between practicality and innovation. What’s more, we know you don’t want to end up paying over the odds. That’s why we offer tailored packages to suit your needs.

Unlike many civil engineering companies, our specialist geotechnical engineers will supervise all site investigations and site classification projects. This approach ensures that we always know exactly what’s happening on the ground. And you get to experience the very highest levels of service and cost-efficiency.

From soil testing and classification, through to foundation and footing design, we offer a friendly civil engineering consultancy service that’s cost-effective and hard to beat.

Harwood bridge W2B project design construction services for piling and crane lifts

OUR TEAM

TEAM

Every one of our engineers is qualified to the highest standards and affiliated with Australia’s leading engineering industry bodies.

Greg Saenger

Greg Saenger
Founder

Jess Saenger

Jess Saenger
Director

Waiyee Soo
Principal Engineer

Mark Kiryakos

Mark Kiryakos
Geotechnical Expert

Lewis Smith
Senior Geotechnical Engineer

Joel Stone

Joel Stone
Engineer/ Operations Manager

Mitch Armstrong
Undergraduate Engineer

Our civil engineering services include:

  • Site investigations
  • Soil testing
  • Site classification
  • Geotechnical design
  • Foundation design
  • Footing design
  • Structural design
  • Tie-down and bracing
  • Advanced design solutions

Greg Saenger

Founder

Greg was a pioneering force in the engineering industry whose legacy continues to inspire and shape the field of civil and geotechnical engineering. As the founder of Civil Consult, Greg’s dedication to excellence and innovation left an indelible mark on the industry; peers and colleagues will remember his contributions for years to come.

A graduate of the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Civil Engineering, Greg also held a Master of Business (Applied Finance) from QUT. His career spanned over two decades, beginning in 2003, and his expertise became synonymous with large-scale infrastructure projects. Greg was especially passionate about the temporary works space, where his ability to design innovative solutions on the spot was a testament to his brilliance and commitment to engineering excellence.

Greg’s journey took him from his hometown of Alstonville to Brisbane, where he began his career. He later moved to Lennox Head in 2012, where he continued to make an impact, contributing his expertise to the St Helena Tunnel project, followed by the launch of Civil Consult. His deep connection to his roots in Northern New South Wales and his drive to tackle complex engineering challenges shaped his career and personal life.

Beyond his technical skills, Greg was known for his unwavering dedication to his clients, always striving to provide creative and practical solutions to their challenges. His legacy as a consultant, leader, and innovator is a testament to his passion and commitment to every project.

When he wasn’t advancing the field of engineering, Greg was an avid surfer with a love for the ocean that matched his professional zeal. He also cherished spending time with his family, teaching his children to surf and skate, exploring local beaches and playing music.

Greg’s impact on the engineering industry and his community is immeasurable. His vision, leadership, and passion for his work continue to inspire those privileged to have worked with him. His legacy will endure through the Civil Consult team, in the projects he shaped, the lives he touched, and the high standards of excellence he set in the world of engineering.

Jess Saenger

Director

As Co-Founder and Director of Civil Consult, Jess brings a blend of expertise in Corporate Business Strategy, Finance Management, and Human Resources to the engineering sector. With a strong foundation in business management, she steers the company towards its mission of delivering high-quality, innovative, safe and cost-effective engineering solutions.



Her leadership is driven by a commitment to exceptional service, ensuring that Civil Consult meets and exceeds client expectations.



With a strategic approach to business growth, Jess continues to build upon the company’s family ethos, fostering a dynamic environment of collaboration and innovation that enables Civil Consult’s exceptional team of specialists to deliver outstanding results.

Waiyee Soo

Principal Engineer
With over 20 years of experience in design, project management, and construction supervision, Waiyee is a highly respected geotechnical engineer, specialising in complex infrastructure projects, including road, metro/rail networks, reclamation works, marine deck construction, mining infrastructure, and cable tunnels.
Her vast experience across Asia, Australia, and the Middle East spans from site investigations and geotechnical interpretation to the detailed design of tunnels, foundations, and earth-retaining systems. Waiyee is a proven leader in both tender and delivery phases, combining deep technical expertise with a collaborative, solutions-focused approach to consistently resolve complex issues and deliver high-quality outcomes for diverse stakeholders.

Areas of Expertise include:

  • Tunnels and underground space design,
  • 2D and 3D numerical modelling of soil/rock-structure interactions for underground structures and complex geometry.
  • Optioneering for ground improvement.
  • Excavation constructability review.

Mark Kiryakos

Geotechnical Expert

With over 36 years of civil and geotechnical engineering expertise, Mark is a Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) in Australia and New Zealand and a registered design practitioner in NSW.

Mark specialises in geotechnical investigation, analysis, and design for complex infrastructure projects. His expertise includes bridges, motorways, railways, haul roads, landfills, subdivisions, pipelines, power stations, tank farms, earth dams, high-rise buildings, and deep excavations. He is also highly skilled in earthquake geotechnics, liquefaction assessment, soil-structure interaction, and advanced numerical modelling.

Having led teams across key regions in Australia, New Zealand, and internationally, Mark has played a vital role in major projects, including bridges, motorways, railways, landfills, power stations, high-rise buildings, and deep excavations. His strategic approach ensures safe, cost-effective, and practical geotechnical solutions, effectively managing engineering and commercial risks throughout design and construction.

An active member of Engineers Australia, Engineering New Zealand, the Australian Geomechanics Society, the New Zealand Geotechnical Society, and the International Society of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering. Mark is recognised for his technical expertise and innovative approach to challenging ground conditions.

Lewis Smith

Senior Geotechnical Engineer

Lewis is an experienced Geotechnical Engineer with over 8 years of consulting experience across Australia and overseas. He has delivered geotechnical services for projects across the residential, commercial, industrial, infrastructure and mining sectors, bringing a practical and solutions-focused approach to complex ground conditions.

Lewis is experienced in geotechnical site investigations, slope stability assessments, subdivision services and construction phase support, including borehole and test pit investigations, logging to AS1726, earthworks quality assurance, pavement design and site classification. He has worked extensively in challenging environments involving dispersive soils, soft ground, large earth structures and high-strength rock.

Lewis is highly regarded for his strong project management capability, clear client communication and ability to deliver high-quality outcomes from proposal through to completion. Lewis values honest and open communication with clients on project and deliverable requirements. 

Lewis is a keen surfer – in his spare time you’ll find him in the ocean or spending time outdoors. 

Joel Stone

Engineer/ Operations Manager

With a bachelor of engineering, four years of experience in geotechnical and structural engineering and project management and over six years in engineering drafting, Joel has a comprehensive skill set that enhances his ability to deliver high-quality, detailed solutions for various projects.

Joel has contributed to large infrastructure projects, including multiple bridge reconstruction projects in the Grafton LGA and investigation and design solutions for over 50 landslides across the Tweed, Kyogle, Lismore, Byron, and Ballina Councils. His hands-on experience spans the entire project lifecycle, including investigation, design, and construction-phase services.

Joel also excels in his role of operations manager, ensuring the Civil Consult team delivers seamless and on-time service.

Eugene Ferraris

Engineer

Currently in his third year of a Bachelor of Engineering degree at Southern Cross University, Eugene spent more than six years working in residential civil engineering in Switzerland as a construction manager and senior CAD designer.

At Civil Consult, Eugene specialises in producing IFC earthworks and structural and civil layout plans. He finds it particularly fulfilling to work with a team that shares a passion for excellence. Furthermore, he loves getting out in the field and enjoys the variable and diverse nature of his role.

Eugene has lived in Byron Shire for the last six years. When he's not at work, he likes to get out in the surf or spend the weekend bushwalking.

Corelle Forster

Project Manager

Corelle is a qualified Civil Engineer and Project Manager. She has a Bachelor of Civil Engineering with First Class Honours from Southern Cross University and recently joined Civil Consult to lead the Kyogle Flood Recovery project.

Since 2013, Corelle has performed various engineering roles in the NSW Pacific Highway upgrade. She enjoys working with a team to identify and execute engineering solutions that protect the integrity of local infrastructure, improve safety, and serve the community.

Corelle moved to the Northern Rivers in 2012 to settle in her husband's hometown. Outside work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends and exploring everything the Northern Rivers region has to offer.

Toby Ellis

Engineer

Toby is an Engineer at Civil Consult. He has a Bachelor of Sound and Music Design from the University of Technology in Sydney and is currently studying engineering at Southern Cross University.

Toby has a talent for designing solutions to complex problems using a combination of on-site investigations and desktop modelling. In addition, he finds researching new technologies and developing strategies for innovative remedial works highly rewarding.

After deciding to further his studies, Toby moved to Ballina in 2019. Outside work, he likes to spend his time surfing, fishing, and making music.

Micah Kemp

Engineering Geologist

With a BSC in Geology and Environmental Science, Micah has over 7 years’ experience as an Engineering Geologist in addition to his experience in GIS data capture and analysis, exploration geology, & environmental engineering; His professional responsibilities comprise geological and infrastructure mapping services, drill-team supervision & core logging, piling supervision, and conducting extensive and detailed geotechnical field investigations for bridges and landslides. Micah’s well-developed knowledge of the Northern Rivers region’s geological terrain and experience delivering high quality geotechnical reports makes him an invaluable team member for any geotechnical project.

Recent professional duties include:

  • geotechnical investigations & reporting for bridge replacements and landslides, including geotechnical instrumentation
  • landslide risk assessments
    bored pile supervision and geotechnical logging
  • soil profile logging & residential site classifications including bearing capacity assessment
  • slope modelling & stability analysis using RocScience Slide software
  • inclinometer monitoring and reporting for landslides
  • temporary working platform design
  • project management and preparation of tender quotes

 

Micah has three high spirited sons who were all born in the region. In his spare time, he enjoys surfing, flying, and spending quality time with his family.

Jayden Lavelle

Structural/Geotechnical Engineer

Jayden has a Bachelor of Engineering with First Class Honours (Civil) from Southern Cross University. He has worked in the industry since graduating in 2017.

What Jayden enjoys most about his role is developing cost-effective engineering solutions for clients. He’s lived in the area his whole life, so he also gets a great sense of satisfaction from working on projects that improve the local area. When Jayden’s not at work, you’ll find him spending time with friends and family, fishing and camping out in the bush.

Alan Madden

Civil/Project Engineer

Alan has a Bachelor of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering with Honours from Trinity College, Dublin. He’s been working in the industry since 2004 and is passionate about delivering projects with speed and efficiency.

Alan has lived in the Northern Rivers since 2018. When he’s not at work, he enjoys playing sports and spends his free time tending his hobby farm near Lismore.