Piling on the excellence

What began in 2010 as a modest plant hire outfit has grown into one of Queensland's most capable civil specialists, and piling has become one of the strongest symbols of that success.

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An aerial view of a G&H project, with the two new Bauer GB50 diaphragm rigs in action, Images: G&H Civil

You'll see them as you drive through Brisbane, the Gold Coast or any of the fast-growing regional centres in Queensland, NSW or around the ACT: G&H Civil piling rigs drilling deep foundations for tomorrow's towers, hospitals, or civic infrastructure.

Whether it's diaphragm walls for a new high rise, continuous flight auger (CFA) piles for a hotel, or retention systems for major health and defence projects, G&H Civil Contractors has quietly underpinned much of the state's built environment.

The business was founded by directors Padraig Haskins and Noel Grealish, both men trading the green fields of Ireland for the wide brown land of Australia.

With backgrounds in civil construction, demolition and plant operations, they shared not only a trade but also a determination to carve out something of their own in a competitive industry.

Pooling their experience, their networks, and a willingness to take a risk, they initially launched that plant hire company on the Gold Coast.

At the time, the construction boom in Queensland was reshaping cities and regions, and Padraig and Noel saw an opportunity to offer more than just machines.

They believed in combining practical know-how with engineering discipline and a "hands-on" leadership style that would set them apart from larger, more impersonal operators. Their early work was characterised by an ability to deliver on tight deadlines, keep costs under control, and adapt quickly to the needs of clients.

Word spread. It started with a few machines and soon grew into demolition packages, bulk earthworks, and eventually complex projects involving piling rigs, deep basement retention and turnkey civil contracts.