Construction Dispute Resolution / Expert Witness / Strategic Advice
Coveys provides specialist independent advisory services encompassing the natural and built environment. We have decades of experience leveraging multidisciplinary qualifications and expertise to efficiently identify the best solutions to complex issues that emerge over the lifecycle of projects.
Through clear insights and prudent advice, we empower clients to resolve disputes, enable progress, and support commercial objectives across a wide array of projects and initiatives.
Our commitment to integrity, accuracy, and impartiality builds trust in every engagement
What We Do
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Construction Dispute Resolution / Expert Determination
Covey Associates has a long history of working in the building and construction industry, providing specialised engineering advice and engineering services, and is therefore highly capable and qualified to undertake Expert Determination on construction disputes.
Thanks to our forensic engineering and construction consulting services background, we understand the unique challenges clients face and we know how best to resolve them. By resolving disputes quickly and efficiently we can help clients to improve their productivity and profitability.
Expert Witness and Advice for Legal Cases, Reviews or Negotiations
Coveys’ broad range of engineering and environmental expertise enables Coveys to support clients in navigating legal disputes.
Coveys acts as Expert Witness in environmental and engineering disciplines involving both major or minor scale issues on projects including in the Urban Development, Building and Construction, Forensic Engineering and Natural Hazard (Flooding and Bushfire) sectors.
Coveys has teams of dedicated specialists to help you with high quality, commercially sensitive advice, and technical excellence.
Security of Payment Legislation
We are experienced in assisting clients throughout all stages of the adjudication process, including:
reviewing client contracts and drafting clauses to enhance our clients’ ability to utilise Security of Payment legislation and protect our clients’ exposure to adjudication;
assisting clients with the preparation of payment claims and payment schedules; and
preparing adjudication applications and adjudication responses including supporting material.
Expert Witness & Review Services
We have worked on a range of projects that involve contested legal matters. We work to provide the highest possible standard in regards to technical advice and reporting, prioritising accurate and delivering reliable advice. We have a detailed understanding of the expert witness process and work to ensure timely and efficient resolutions.
Our Team
Our Expert Witness, Environmental, Construction and Engineering team comprises of 6 highly qualified and experienced specialists, including:
Kerstin Offergeld
Director and Registered Adjudicator
Kerstin has a broad range of experience within the areas of environmental engineering, extractive industry, subdivision development, building works, contract administration feasibility / development costings and project management. Her experience and knowledge provide for high quality reporting, design and documentation capabilities.
Her civil engineering experience involves flood prediction (hydrology), Hydraulic analysis/design, stormwater and water supply network analyses and sewerage treatment plants.
Adding to her engineeringc ompetence, Kerstin has completed a Master of Business Administration degree with a specialisation in finance, Diploma of Law as well as completion of the Company
Dr Chris Walker
Director and Principal Environmental & Civil Engineer
Ph.D, BEnvSc, BSc (Hon), CPESC
Dr Christopher Walker is the Manager of the Environment, Water, and Bushfire Branches of the Environment & Water Branch at Covey Associates. He has significant experience in the design and management of green infrastructure, working on a diverse range of projects both in Australia and overseas. Chris is a world-expert in the use of constructed floating wetlands (CFWs) for water treatment and has developed several novel designs and applications of this technology. He is also an experienced Expert Witness for matters in the Planning and Environment Court. Chris is highly involved in research and is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of South Australia and the University of the Sunshine Coast.
Chris Camp
Managing Director & Principal Civil / Structural Engineer
Chris is the Managing Director of Covey Associates Pty Ltd. He is an Engineer with experience in the appraisal, design and construction of the built environment in Australia and United Kingdom. Chris has over 30 years industry experience and brings a wealth of knowledge to every project he is involved with.
Chris has been the lead civil engineer on many coastal projects and works closely with the broader Covey team to provide the best results for clients, the local authority, and the environment. With a background in both civil and structural engineering, Chris has a reputation for delivering practical solutions to complex problems.
Kevin Covey
Co-Founder & Principal Consultant
Kevin Covey established Covey Associates Pty Ltd on the Sunshine Coast in 1990.
Dr Greg Penny
Principal Bushfire Engineer
Dr. Greg Penny is a distinguished bushfire practitioner, researcher, and fire engineer. As a highly experienced fire officer and Level 3 Incident Controller, Greg has authored numerous publications on bushfire engineering, including the seminal Bushfire Engineering Guidelines. He specialises in performance-based bushfire engineering solutions and expert witness work.
Anthony Power
Principal Bushfire Consultant and Technical Lead
Anthony founded the Covey Bushfire Team and specialises in fire behaviour, modelling, and weather analysis. With expertise in bushfire research, GIS, landscape design, and prescribed burn planning, he has led numerous complex and innovative large-scale bushfire analysis projects across Australia. Anthony is also a qualified Town Planner, Firefighter, and Registered Landscape Architect.
