Hanlons Consulting

28/08/2026

27/08/2026

Multiple crews. Multiple locations.

Over recent weekends, Hanlons survey teams have been travelling across the state providing specialised surveying, engineering design and construction support to help critical rail works stay accurate, safe and on schedule.

Hanlons supported our valued partner UGL Regional Linx during a weekend shutdown to replace asphalt level-crossing infrastructure damaged by road traffic.

Our involvement covered the project from the initial survey through to final as-builts:

📐 Initial site survey
🚆 Level-crossing engineering design and track alignment
🦺 On-site construction surveying support
📋 Final as-built drawings

The Edilon Sedra system is one of only a small number installed across the UGLRL network. Hanlons has now supported three of these and all completed within their allocated Local Possession Authority timeframes.

As with all rail shutdowns, they are time critical with little room for delay and no guesswork. Every millimetre matters, every minute counts, and having an experienced team on the ground makes all the difference.

Wherever the work takes us, we are proud to be able to provide geographically mobile teams delivering practical, responsive solutions.

Congratulations to all on another successful project delivery and thank you for the opportunity to be involved.

27/08/2026

Surveying is returning to the University of Newcastle, and that is certainly worth celebrating! 📐

Last Friday, our Managing Director and current President of the Institution of Surveyors NSW, Mitch Hanlon, attended UoN’s Surveying Futures Forum and official program launch.

Mitch delivered a vision talk on behalf of ISNSW and joined university, government and industry leaders to discuss the future of the profession, the growing demand for skilled surveyors and the importance of accessible education and strong career pathways.

The University’s new Surveying programs will commence in 2027, with the redesigned Bachelor of Surveying (Honours) combining flexible online learning, dedicated on-campus field intensives, practical experience, industry-led learning and emerging geospatial technologies.

This flexible model will create greater opportunities for regional students and people balancing work, family and study to pursue a professional career while remaining connected to their

We are incredibly proud of Mitch’s advocacy and also acknowledge our co-Director Tim Youman, whose contribution behind the scenes was instrumental in keeping Surveying alive at Newcastle.

It was also wonderful to see one of our Graduate Surveyors Douglas Pianta participate in the event’s poster series. Doug presented two very different projects Hanlons have been involved in being Baiada’s Oakburn processing plant project and the Werris Creek Gap Underbridge Replacement. Both projects demonstrating the enormous variety a surveying career can offer.

Congratulations to Associate Professor Mehdi Khaki, Lloyd Pilgrim, the UoN Surveying Industry Advisory Group, ISNSW and the many people across education, government and industry who worked together to make it possible.

Know a young person who enjoys technology, problem-solving, working outdoors and making a tangible difference in their community?

Explore the new Bachelor of Surveying (Honours), commencing in Semester 1, 2027:
https://www.newcastle.edu.au/degrees/bachelor-of-surveying-honours

25/08/2026

Rail surveying with a pretty impressive backdrop 🌉

You would be hard-pressed to find a better location for a weekend rail project than the beautiful Hawkesbury River.

One of our Survey teams were on site at the Hawkesbury River Rail Bridge over the weekend providing survey support for the installation of protective walls ahead of future painting and restoration works.

The views may have stolen the show, but the job itself was all about precision.

With trains continuing to use the bridge, the walls needed to be installed in exactly the right position while maintaining the required rail clearances. Our team provided the survey control and checks needed to confirm everything was safely positioned and clear of passing trains.

It is the type of work our rail surveyors do so well.

Behind the scenes, working closely with contractors, solving problems on site and making sure the next stage of the project can move forward safely.

From track renewals and shutdowns to bridge works and infrastructure upgrades, Hanlons supports rail projects across NSW with an experienced, responsive and geographically mobile team.

There is more work planned at the Hawkesbury River Rail Bridge over the coming months, and we are proud to be playing our part in the restoration of this impressive structure.

We are also looking forward to a few more weekends with views like these!

Great work by everyone involved.

13/08/2026

RAIL SAFE. EVERY DAY. EVERY SITE.

Rail Safety Week places an important spotlight on safety across all rail networks.

Living and working across NSW, our team has worked on hundreds of level crossings throughout the state. Across many rail projects, we regularly encounter passive level crossings on rail lines that may only see the occasional train.

When travelling regionally, it is important to be aware of the increased risks around these seemingly quiet rail lines. A crossing may not have boom gates, flashing lights or warning bells, but that does not mean the line is inactive.

For the work we carry out at Hanlons, every rail site is different. Every shutdown has its own challenges. Every measurement, set-out, verification and conversation matters.

Working in complex rail environments demands preparation, communication, attention to detail and the confidence to stop when something isn’t right.

At Hanlons, being rail safe means looking after our people, our project partners, rail passengers, road users and the wider community. Every day. Every site.

This Rail Safety Week, we encourage everyone approaching a railway crossing to slow down, stay alert, obey the signs, remove distractions and never assume the line is clear.

Safety is more than just a week. It is how we plan, how we work and how we help ensure everyone gets home safely.

RAIL SAFE. EVERY DAY. EVERY SITE.

12/08/2026

Meet Oscar 👋

One of the newer faces at Hanlons, Oscar joined our team this year as a Survey Assistant and he’s certainly hit the ground running!

From studying Surveying through UniSQ to travelling across NSW and gaining plenty of hands-on experience in the field, Oscar is building his skills one project (and plenty of kilometres!) at a time.

It’s great to have you as part of the Hanlons team, Oscar. We’re excited to watch your skills, experience and career continue to grow.

Next challenge? We’re looking forward to seeing whether all that field coordination translates to the pickleball court at our upcoming team social!

10/08/2026

Why would a surveyor get excited about an old tree I hear you ask? It might be because it is often holding a piece of surveying history.

Before GPS and modern survey equipment, bearing trees were used as physical references to help identify survey marks and property boundaries.

Surveyors marked selected trees and recorded their relationship to survey corners in their field notes and plans.

Then nature took over.

As the tree grew, the original markings often become covered by bark and new timber, preserving that evidence for generations.

Finding and carefully exposing one today is a bit like surveying archaeology. 🔎

For a Registered Surveyor investigating an old boundary, historical physical evidence can be incredibly valuable. It connects today's measurements and records back to the original surveys that helped define our property boundaries.

So whilst most of us see an old gum tree, a surveyor may see a very exciting piece of evidence!

And that's why the surveying team gets excited. 🌳📐

Surveying isn't only about measuring the future. It’s often about uncovering the past.

06/08/2026

Backing our people as they grow.

One of our Graduate Surveyors, Kirsty, recently travelled to Sydney for the three-day ISNSW Candidate Workshop. An intensive professional development program for surveyors preparing for their BOSSI examinations and working towards registration.

“My three days at the candidate workshop were full to the brim with information that I did my best to sponge up, said Kirsty. The presentation on community title was particularly interesting, as it’s something I haven’t come across before and delivered with helpful explanations and plenty of thought-provoking questions. Overall, it was a really motivating weekend and a great way to kick-start my journey towards registration. I really appreciated the opportunity to attend.” Great feedback Kirsty and loving the pics from your early morning walks!

At Hanlons, people have always been at the heart of what we do. We know that developing the next generation takes more than good intentions. It takes mentoring, practical experience, encouragement and genuine investment.

Hanlons provides both the practical and financial support for approved study and professional development. Whether someone is studying externally while working, beginning their career or progressing towards professional registration, we want our people to have the support and opportunities they need to keep learning and moving forward.

Kirsty’s workshop is a great example of that commitment in action. We’re proud to invest in her development and excited to support her as she continues her journey towards becoming a Registered Surveyor.

Thank you to ISNSW and the presenters who generously shared their time, knowledge and experience.

If you’re looking to build your career with a team that genuinely invests in its people, we’d love to hear from you.

05/08/2026

MEET STEVE | Director & Senior Engineer

Quiet and measured, Steve is one of the Directors of Hanlons and a highly respected member of our team.

With over 15 years of civil engineering experience, Steve brings extensive expertise across civil design, subdivisions, roads and intersections, stormwater and hydraulic design, project management and construction delivery.

A self-confessed perfectionist, Steve has an eye for detail and a natural ability to see the greater potential in a project. He enjoys finding practical solutions to complex challenges but, for Steve, the best outcomes always begin with good communication and a strong client relationship.

His favourite projects are those where he can help guide a design through to construction, working closely with the client along the way. One project he is particularly proud of is the Outlook Roundabout at Calala, where the team worked through several significant challenges alongside a great client to deliver the right solution.

Steve’s approach to engineering (and life) is perhaps summed up by one of his favourite pieces of advice; “You can’t run from the wind. You trim your sails, face the music and keep going.”

A great philosophy for someone like Steve who loves sailing, camping, bushwalking, picnics and just about any outdoor adventure.

Honest, articulate and deeply thoughtful, Steve values relationships, open communication and doing things properly. He brings calm thinking, technical expertise and genuine curiosity to every project and always looks for the opportunity others may not yet see.

We’re very fortunate to have Steve on the Hanlons team.

05/08/2026

🤓 When you let your HR nerd loose at a conference…

This week, it was Sally’s turn to step away from the office and head to Brisbane for three days of learning and connecting with all things people, culture and leadership at the AHRI National Convention.

From an AI masterclass exploring the opportunities and challenges emerging technology brings to the workplace, to fresh ideas around employee experience, workplace culture and leading the next generation, there has certainly been plenty for our Finance & HR Manager to absorb, question and bring home to Hanlons.

Professional development isn’t only about strengthening technical skills. It’s also about developing the people who support our team, shape our culture and help create a workplace where others can grow.

We look forward to Sally sharing her key takeaways and introducing some new ideas to the team.