Back to People Spotlight: Meet Our Team
WaterStormwater and Flood ManagementWater Resource ManagementWater Supply and TreatmentSouth Australia
Tonkin's People Spotlight gives you behind the scenes insights about the technical specialists in our business.
Phil’s path into civil engineering started with an interest in physics, but it was the focus on real world outcomes that drew him in.
Beginning his career during Victoria’s drought, Phil quickly found himself working on projects focused on improving water security and supporting communities during challenging conditions. Today, his expertise spans the full water cycle – from treatment and resource management to pipes and pumps.
Whether it’s wastewater treatment or mentoring new graduates, Phil values creating outcomes that benefit the community and environment.
Phil’s path into civil engineering started with an interest in physics, but it was the focus on real world outcomes that drew him in.
Beginning his career during Victoria’s drought, Phil quickly found himself working on projects focused on improving water security and supporting communities during challenging conditions. Today, his expertise spans the full water cycle – from treatment and resource management to pipes and pumps.
Whether it’s wastewater treatment or mentoring new graduates, Phil values creating outcomes that benefit the community and environment.
How did you get your start in Civil engineering?
I was originally interested in becoming a physicist, but during university I found that engineering was much more focussed on practical real-world outcomes. My first job offer after uni meant moving to Melbourne, and it just happened to coincide with one of the worst and longest droughts that Victoria had experienced. There was a huge need for water engineers and since that was the main area of civil engineering I was interested in, I loved it. I had many opportunities to work on large and unique projects, such as the Northern Intercepting Sewer, the Goulburn Pipeline, the Victorian Desalination Plant, and Preston pump station.
What are your specialties and areas of interest?
My areas of interest are pretty broad, and stretch across all areas of water engineering, pipes, pumps, water treatment, wastewater treatment, stormwater, integrated water management, and water resource management. Although I’m a generalist, I do have a special interest in hydraulics, including steady state and transient, pressure and gravity driven hydraulics.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Seeing projects that have a positive impact on community and environment. One of my favourite projects in my career was designing the stormwater harvesting wetlands at the Adelaide Botanic Gardens. I still love wandering around those wetlands and seeing people enjoying the area. I also find it very rewarding to see young engineers learning and challenging themselves, and I try to always make time to sit down with our junior engineers and work through problems with them.
If you weren’t in this role, what would you love to be doing?
If I wasn’t an engineer, I’d probably be out in the garden growing fruit and vegetables! I also love getting out in the hills trail running.