Independent geotechnical advisory · Sydney
Soundy & Tellus
Independent peer review, expert evidence and geotechnical advice for developers, consultants, legal teams, councils and regulatory authorities.
Discuss a matter
When a peer review helps
Independent peer review is most valuable in the following circumstances.
Design risk is present
High-consequence elements such as tall retaining walls, deep excavations, slopes and structures near sensitive assets, where a design shortcoming could carry significant safety, programme or economic consequences.
Constraints are complex
Sites with difficult ground conditions, adjacent structures or services, compressed programmes, or approval conditions that leave limited margin for error.
You want a second opinion
Where a report or advice has been received and independent assurance is needed before it is relied upon, or where it is unclear whether it adequately addresses the question at hand.
Services
Independent review and opinion services for developers, asset owners, consultants, legal teams, councils and regulatory authorities. Design responsibility remains with the project designer; our role is to test it independently.
Peer review
Independent review of geotechnical designs and reports prior to construction or approval.
- Sydney Water (SWC) specialist engineering assessments
- Geotechnical reports
- Retaining walls and reinforced soil structures
- Foundations, earthworks and slopes
Expert witness
Geotechnical expert evidence for planning, construction and property disputes, prepared in accordance with the Expert Witness Code of Conduct, with experience both as a retained expert and in support of expert teams.
- Expert reports and joint expert reports
- Technical support to retained experts
- Early merit assessment for legal teams
Geotechnical advisory
Senior advice on ground-related risk for asset owners, developers and their consultants.
- Slope and landslide risk
- Acid sulfate soil management
- Ground risk assessment for due diligence
Henry Soundy
Director and Principal Geotechnical Engineer
Henry is a Principal Geotechnical Engineer and Chartered Professional Engineer (Civil, Structural and Geotechnical) with 12 years of consulting experience across Australia.
He has held senior roles with tier-one consultancies Cardno (now Stantec) and GHD, and most recently established and led the geotechnical practice of a boutique consultancy. His work spans critical infrastructure, asset protection, litigation support and the review of geotechnical assessment standards, on projects involving Sydney Water, Transport for NSW, local councils, major developers and legal practices.
He founded Soundy & Tellus to provide clients with direct access to senior, independent geotechnical judgement.
Experience
Sydney Water and buried assets
More than 70 Sydney Water specialist engineering assessments as both geotechnical and structural designer, covering pipelines, tunnels and heritage brick oviform sewers interacting with developments of all sizes, including advanced continuum modelling where conventional methods are insufficient.
Slopes, cliffs and remediation
Slope and rock cliff risk assessment and remediation design across coastal, rail and highway environments, from emergency response following major flood events to detailed design on state-critical routes. Projects include the Lismore flood disaster recovery, the Jenolan Caves ‘2 Mile’ access road, the Great Western Highway at Mt Victoria and the Alpine Way at Thredbo.
Foundations, shoring and basements
Foundation, shoring and basement design for developments of all sizes, from single dwellings to high-rise towers, including deep excavations, anchored and piled retention systems, dewatering and sites affected by mine subsidence.
Investigations in difficult settings
Complex and constrained investigations, including overwater drilling at Spectacle Island in Sydney Harbour, works beneath the convict-era rail formation at Wentworth Falls during a short track possession, and tight-access sites ranging from active landslips to low-headroom basements.
Land development and pavements
Geotechnical and civil design for residential, industrial and commercial developments of all scales, including earthworks, detention basins and pavement design to council and TfNSW standards. Projects include the 1,500-lot Orchard Hills North subdivision.
Independent review and expert support
Independent review of geotechnical reports and designs for councils, developers and asset owners, technical review of Sydney Water asset protection standards, and expert evidence in Land and Environment Court and Federal Court proceedings, both as a retained expert and in support of expert teams.
Qualifications
- CPEng · NER
- Chartered Professional Engineer (Civil, Structural and Geotechnical), Engineers Australia. National Engineering Register.
- TfNSW
- Accredited Slope Risk Assessor, Transport for NSW
- BEng (Civil) (Hons)
- Bachelor of Civil Engineering with Honours
How engagements work
Each engagement begins with an agreed written scope, so all parties are clear on what is, and is not, being reviewed.
- BriefYou provide the documents and the question to be answered.
- Scope & feeWe confirm the scope, exclusions, timing and a fixed or capped fee in writing.
- ReviewWe review the material and raise queries with you or the designer as required.
- ReportYou receive a clear written opinion, with findings ranked by significance.
Soundy & Tellus provides independent review and opinion services only. We do not prepare designs, certify works or make design compliance declarations. For expert matters, we are instructed through the client’s solicitor.
Contact
henry@soundytellus.com.au