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Professional geotechnical
services with a strong
commitment to quality,
safety, and local knowledge.

About Us

Smolders Geotechnical Pty Ltd is a proudly Victorian-owned company, delivering high-quality geotechnical services across Melbourne and regional Victoria since 2015. Founded by Xavier Smolders, the company has grown to become a trusted partner for residential, commercial, and civil engineering projects, with over 30 years of combined industry experience among its team.

With offices in Ferntree Gully and Wangaratta, Smolders Geotechnical services a broad geographic area, offering reliable soil testing, site classification, landslip risk assessments, and comprehensive geotechnical investigations. Our team of qualified engineering geologists operates with specialised drilling and testing equipment to ensure every project is delivered with precision, efficiency, and full regulatory compliance.

From private homeowners to large-scale developers, we’re known for our fast turnaround times, clear reporting, and deep understanding of Victoria’s diverse geological conditions.

smolders work truck
On site residential soil testing
Smolders geotechnical 4WD

Our Values

At Smolders Geotechnical, we’re grounded in principles that define the way we work and the relationships we build:

Accuracy
We deliver dependable, data-driven results that meet or exceed industry standards.

Integrity
Transparency and honesty guide every aspect of our service.

Efficiency
Timely delivery without compromising quality is at the heart of what we do.

Expertise
Our qualified team brings decades of local geotechnical knowledge to every site.

Client-Focus
We tailor our services to suit the unique needs of each project, ensuring clarity and confidence from start to finish.

Environmental Responsibility
We adhere to responsible practices that support environmental sustainability and safe land development.

Professional Memberships

Smolders Geotechnical is fully covered by Public Liability and Professional Indemnity Insurance, and we comply with all relevant Australian Standards for your protection and peace of mind. We also meet council requirements for planning permits.

Smolders Geotechnical is a proud member of Australia’s leading industry organisations, reflecting our commitment to professionalism and continuous improvement:

Foundations and Footing Society Victoria
Australian Geomechanics Society
Australian Institute of Geoscientists

These affiliations ensure we stay informed on the latest standards, practices, and advancements in geotechnical engineering, allowing us to provide our clients with the most up-to-date and reliable service possible.

Key Senior Personnel

Xavier Smolders

Geotechnical Manager
B.A.Sc (Geology), MAGS, MFFSV, MAIG RPGeo 10279

Xavier is the founder and Geotechnical Manager of Smolders Geotechnical, bringing extensive experience across the public and private sectors. He began his career with the former Department of Primary Industries (DPI), gaining valuable geological and geotechnical experience throughout Victoria before moving into the extractive and mining industries, both locally and interstate.

With years of industry experience, Xavier has developed extensive expertise in soil, rock and geotechnical engineering across a diverse range of projects. Since establishing Smolders Geotechnical, he has overseen thousands of investigations throughout Victoria, earning a reputation for delivering practical, reliable geotechnical solutions and exceptional client service.

Peter McKay

Senior Engineering Geologist
B.A.Sc (Geology), MAGS, MAIG

Peter specialises in complex geotechnical investigations, site inspections, soil testing, and site classification reports for residential and commercial projects across Victoria. He leads many of the company’s most technically challenging field investigations, providing practical, reliable geotechnical solutions.

Prior to joining Smolders Geotechnical, Peter worked in the public sector, gaining valuable engineering and regulatory experience. He has completed training in the AGS 2007 Landslide Risk Management Guidelines and geotechnical investigation and soil logging in accordance with relevant Australian Standards. Peter’s extensive field experience and technical expertise ensure the successful delivery of high-quality geotechnical investigations for complex projects.

Richard Smart

Senior Geotechnical Engineer/Soil Scientist
B.Sc (Soils) PhD. MAIG

Richard joined Smolders Geotechnical after leading an in-house geotechnical and soils division of a respected engineering consultancy in Victoria. With experience across the public and private sectors in both Australia and the UK, including research positions at Universities, he brings extensive expertise in soil science and land assessment.

Richard specialises in Land Capability Assessments and Landslip Risk Assessments, having completed training in the AGS 2007 Landslide Risk Management Guidelines, and is highly regarded for his knowledge of local council requirements and planning policies across Victoria. He works closely with clients and councils to achieve practical, technically sound and compliant outcomes for every project.

Jamie Tzimas

Geotechnical Engineer
B.Eng. (Civil & Infrastructure Engineering) (Honours)

Jamie joined Smolders Geotechnical after completing a Bachelor of Civil and Infrastructure Engineering with Honours at RMIT University. During his studies, he gained valuable practical experience through a council engineering internship, developing skills in assessing ground conditions and infrastructure integrity

As a field Geotechnical Engineer, Jamie undertakes geotechnical site investigations, soil classification, field testing, and detailed soil logging for a wide range of residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects across Victoria. He is committed to delivering accurate, high-quality field data for practical, reliable geotechnical solutions for every project.

Andrew Smelic

Senior Engineering Geologist
B.Sc (Geology) MSc.

Andrew has worked on projects large and small around the globe; from China, the US, South East Asia and Europe. Andrew has worked for a number of respected Victorian geotechnical and engineering firms. Andrew works on geotechnical site investigations for a range of projects across Metro Melbourne and Rural Victoria.

Rachael Pickens

Office & Administration Manager

Rachael is our Head of Operations and Office Manager and is the first point of contact for many of our valued clients. She oversees client enquiries, project bookings, scheduling and coordination, client liaison, and reporting, ensuring the smooth day-to-day operation of the business.

With extensive administrative and operational experience, Rachael brings a wealth of knowledge to the role, having previously worked in administration for a national engineering company before joining Smolders. Her strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and commitment to exceptional client service make her an integral part of the Smolders team.