AtkinsRéalis strengthens its Tasmanian presence with a new Hobart office

Freshly fitted out and ready for its next chapter, 85 Collins Street is more than a new office address. It’s home to local engineering consultancies, WGA and ADG, which are now part of the global engineering services company AtkinsRéalis, 

The new office was officially celebrated on 29 October, with clients, industry partners, and government representatives, including Tasmanian Deputy Premier Guy Barnett, joining the local team to mark the occasion. The space unites the local knowledge and trusted regional relationships of the three consultancies as part of AtkinsRéalis’ long-term commitment to creating a stronger infrastructure platform for future investment in Tasmania.

Doing business the Tasmanian way

AtkinsRéalisbrings a wealth of global experience and technical expertise to our work in Tasmania while our team on the ground is supported by the strong client relationships we’ve cultivated and innovative engineering solutions that keep the local environment, industry, and communities that we serve at the core of what we do.

“We’re proud to be building our future here in Tasmania. We have strong relationships with clients, local businesses, and suppliers by being accessible, practical, and genuinely invested in their success. Bringing our teams together in Hobart means we can build on those relationships and offer even more.

Our focus is on creating career opportunities for locals, developing Tasmanian engineering capability, and contributing to the infrastructure that supports the state’s communities and economy,” David Ewers, Senior Structural and Maritime Engineer and Tasmania Lead, explains.

David, who is based in Hobart, also holds the Regional Chapter Chair for PIANC Australia and New Zealand. He was instrumental in building WGA’s local presence and capability, which began with one hot desk in 2024, to a multidisciplinary engineering and project management team of 20 today.

WGA brings more than four decades of engineering and project delivery experience across Australia and New Zealand, with capabilities spanning transport, water, power and renewables, ports and marine, defence-related infrastructure, buildings, resources and industrial, urban development, and sport and recreation.

United locally and stronger globally

The acquisition of ADG and WGA has enabled AtkinsRéalis to readily expand its footprint and investments in Tasmania through a growth strategy that focuses on strengthening its presence across key local markets.

“We’re committed to maintaining and enhancing the strengths of ADG and WGA, focusing on connecting them with AtkinsRéalis’ global capabilities and international network wherever they add value to clients and projects. WGA and ADG’s established local relationships and expertise, alongside their technical specialists, advisory capability, and resources across Australia and New Zealand mean that the deep, local relationships our clients value grow stronger while the capability behind them gets bigger.” Karl Speed, AtkinsRéalis Executive Vice President – Asia Pacific

Developing Tasmania

With the newly acquired WGA and ADG businesses, AtkinsRéalis has been working on several critical Tasmanian infrastructure projects.

These include supporting the $200 million Hobart International Airport Expansion through ADG Engineers, which serves as the Structural Engineering Lead for the complex project to strengthen the existing terminal structure while keeping the airport fully operational.

WGA’s local team has focused on major port infrastructure, including the Port of Bell Bay, delivering structural, mechanical, and electrical engineering for a new fully mobile shiploader, working closely with Crisp Bros & Haywards, TasPorts, and local partners. Through its involvement in the TasPorts Engineering Panel, WGA provides ongoing specialist engineering, temporary works design and structural safety assessments across key Tasmanian ports, including the Port of Devonport and the Port of Burnie.

What comes next

As AtkinsRéalis builds its presence in Australia and New Zealand, the new Hobart office affirms the company’s confidence in the opportunities ahead, and its commitment to investing in local capability and building trusted long-term relationships across the state’s government, industry, and the community of Tasmania.

“The scale behind the WGA and ADG team may be growing, but the commitment remains the same. The ambition is to continue building a team that understands Tasmania because its people live, work and build relationships here,” added David Ewers.

Working on your next project in Tasmania? Contact our Tassie team here.