About us

Ryan O’Neill’s career has sent him to some of the globe’s most far-flung locations as he has gone from site engineer, to project manager and from estimator & planner to building Civil Project Partners.

After graduating from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil), Ryan headed overseas to work in the UK for Balfour Beatty as a site engineer working on arterial roads and highway bypasses across Central and Southern England, before taking a unique opportunity to head to Afghanistan. Engaged by Louis Berger he helped to rebuild the nations war-ravaged road infrastructure, assisting the US State Department and UNOPS efforts in rehabilitating the country.

On return to Australia, Ryan headed to the Sunshine State to work on Brisbane’s Inner Northern Busway and has not looked back. Following project completion, Ryan’ passion for planning and estimating, led him to set up his own business, which would, in partnership with Chris Dale, become Civil Project Partners.

As our resident AFL tragic, Ryan is an avid supporter and member of the Adelaide Crows, and he loves a bit of footy chat, especially if you bring up the glorious near misses on the 2000s and the 2017 Grand Final defeat. It’s been a long time between premierships for Adelaide, but like any die-hard fan, Ryan is convinced this season will belong to the Crows , although on current form it will be the wooden spoon that they are winning.

Ryan is a Chartered Engineer (CPEng) registered as RPEQ, NER and member of Engineers Australia, MIEAust and also has post-graduation qualifications, Masters of Business, Applied Finance. 

Founder and Director Chris Dale is another member with a career built on Australian and global project delivery. Australian born and raised, Chris gained his degree in Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) at James Cook University in Townsville before embarking on a career that has taken in projects across Australia and the UK where he gained significant experience in the field and the estimating department as he worked on the delivery of infrastructure across roads and heavy concrete structures.

A keen cyclist, if you can’t keep up with Chris as he speeds rounds the river loop, you can catch him on Strava or in front of the television at ungodly hours as he listens to Robbie McEwen and Matthew Keenan call the action from Le Tour.

Chris is also a committed family man and proud foster dad, who’s son will turn 18 this year after being with Chris since the age of 7. Although challenging, for Chris to be able to give a child the opportunity at a ‘normal’ childhood within a stable and loving family environment has been a truly rewarding experience.

Sean Savage is Civil Project Partner’s Civil Principal, with a career spanning major projects in Australia and the UK.

Holding a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) from USQ, Sean spent his early career working in regional Queensland in projects across the Darling Downs and the state’s west, before moving back to Brisbane to take up a role with Civdec and then Abigroup on the M1 motorway. From 2000-2004, Sean furthered his experience in the UK, before returning to civil contracting with Seymour White Group where his road infrastructure experience came to the fore.

In a decade with Seymour Whyte, Sean was involved in the delivery of major road projects for the Department of Transport and Main Roads. Delivered using ECI (Early Contract Involvement) Design and Construct style of project delivery, the projects ranged from $5m to $100m and put collaboration and cooperation at the heart of Sean’s approach to project delivery.

Sean recently gained acceptance to the Institution of Engineers Australia as a “Fellow” and has gained certification as a Charter Engineer (CPEng).

Outside of work, Sean enjoys keeping fit, spending time with the family exploring everything that Australia’s great outdoors has to offer.

Sean is a Fellow of Engineers Australia, FIEAust and also has post-graduation qualifications, Masters of Business, Administration. 

Hailing from Colombia, Andres is one of Civil Project Partner’s global citizens with a career in project delivery across South America and Australia.

Holding a degree in Civil Engineering from University of Los Andes, Andres started his career as a civil engineer working as a consultant on major road and infrastructure projects, before the wanderlust took him and he headed to Australia in 2016. Joining Robar Civil in South Australia, Andres was employed as a quality control engineer on Adelaide’s Bowden train station upgrade before becoming an estimator. Following his move to the Queensland Andres joined Robar Civil as a civil estimator, before becoming a welcome addition to the Civil Project Partners team.

Outside of the office, you are highly likely to find Andres catching up on the World Game especially if Los Cafeteros are lighting up the World Cup or strutting his stuff to the sounds of Latin Music. Andres is passionate about cartography, navigation and travel, which when combined means that if you have to go to a meeting, follow Andres, he will know where to go.

Katie Sommerfeld combines site experience gained across Australia and overseas in the private and public sector into her role as a Civil Estimator and Planner. Holding a Bachelor of Engineering from UQ, a Masters of Engineering Science, Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology from UNSW, 2011 and Diploma of Project Management from ACPM, Katie joined the Department of Transport and Main Roads after studying as a scholarship holder, working for the Department for over seven years before joining the private sector.

As a contractor, Katie was involved in the delivery of several major infrastructure upgrades including as project manager on the Old North Road, Samsonvale Road, Youngs Crossing Road intersection upgrade – a roundabout to signals conversions with complex traffic staging and challenging subgrade conditions. Katie also spent 2 ½ years working in Fiji for the Fulton Hogan Highways Joint Venture on the Central and Eastern Road Maintenance Contracts as Renewals Design Manager before moving to the Northern Road Maintenance Contract as Planning and Design Manager / Special Projects Manager.

Bringing learnings from project delivery into the planning and estimating side of the sector, Katie gained significant experience across the industry, including leading the planning of the Roads Servicing Fairview Gasfields project for Fluor, taking the project from tender into construction.

Brisbane born and bred; Katie’s sense of adventure has seen her travel across the globe. From Morocco, where she spent a night lost in the Sahara in a sand storm to conquering mountains in NZ, Mt Fuji in Japan and most impressive of all Kedar Domes’ 6831m in the Indian Himalayas, Katie is the team’s action hero on hiatus. Currently waiting for the world to reopen, Katie is looking forward to the day when she can take her young daughter on an adventure to a far-flung corner of the globe.

Accountant Cassandra maintains our business’ financials behind the scenes for our payables and receivables.

Cassandra has a Bachelor of Business and Commerce, Accounting

Dipali is a Civil Estimator with 13 years of experience in first principle estimating for Civil infrastructure projects, QLD, Australia. Extensive knowledge of underground utilities, including water, wastewater, sewer, power and gas pipelines, treatment plants, pump stations, pipeline, and culvert rehabilitation. Proficient in estimating bulk earthworks, TMR roadworks, and Stormwater drainage. Familiarity with industry regulations and standards to ensure compliance and adherence to best practices. Strong communication and negotiation skills to work effectively with clients, contractors, and other stakeholders.

Hailing from Brazil, Samantha is a Civil Engineer and has worked within engineering for over 12 years across Australia and Brazil. Holding a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Taubate, Samantha started her career as a Technical Support Engineer, building her experience with drafting and budget planning, then moving into the role of Civil Engineer.

After moving to Australia, she joined the Civil Project Partners team in 2022, supporting the team with cost estimation and planning for various projects. Outside of the office, Samantha enjoys delving into a good novel, chilling out to music and her letting her adventurous spirit take her on journeys across the globe.