ABOUT US
JOY in water
A family owned business of over 45 years, we are Australia’s leading Stormwater specialist. Working with councils, engineers and contractors we build risk-free, clean water solutions for the future. Our products and services cater for every project, and our experienced team provide advice and support in sales, delivery, installation and maintenance.
We are the innovators and problem solvers of the industry, with an investment in collaborative research and development that sets the standards for others to follow. Removing contaminants and gross pollutants from water is an ongoing challenge, and finding a cost-effective, high performing solution is our goal. Building a happy, healthy future for you and your family is our purpose.
A Constantly Changing Environment
Most importantly, to provide highly efficient and effective water improvement solutions, we are abreast of the many stringent and constantly changing requirements of water sensitive urban design.
Our philosophy of continuous improvement through research also means the team at SPEL is always at the forefront of water quality innovation working with engineers (both environmental and civil) and planners to find unique solutions to real-world challenges.
Experience
Field Testing for Improved Water Quality
Field Testing for Improved Water Quality
We work on high-quality solutions for stormwater pollutant removal. SPEL undertakes ‘proof of concept’ testing in a laboratory to demonstrate a product has potential in controlled, predictable conditions. Our main emphasis then becomes field-testing, ensuring these products will deliver in the real world.
The universities are engaged to independently conduct the field testing on all SPEL water quality improvement devices and report on the results.
Innovation
A Constantly Changing Environment
Stormwater Shepherds
Improving the quality of our urban waterways
Stormwater Shepherds are a not-for-profit imitative targeting plastic pollution in riparian environments. With urban generated pollution accounting for a staggering 80% of ocean plastic, it is our mission to stop it at the source.
Our 2020 strategic goals in stormwater management and pollution directly address this issue through prevention, action and lobbying.
Prevention – Driving positive outcomes through education.
Action – Community clean-ups restoring our riparian environments.
Lobbying – Thought leadership on sustainable stormwater infrastructure management.
Our Team
At SPEL we’re as passionate about our people as we are about our stormwater. After all, it’s people who make a business great, and we’re no exception.
OK, we might be strict on a few things – respect, humility, sharing cake on your birthday, and putting the empty milk container in the bin, but after that – it’s over to you.
We are a team that encourages personal growth and drive, nurtures kindness and support, and fuels creativity and imagination. We’re also pretty keen on sprucing up barista and BBQing skills, and the odd table tennis move. It’s what makes us well rounded.
We know what makes this business great. It’s our people and the relationships they continue to build and nurture with you, our customer.
EXECUTIVE TEAM
Andy Hornbuckle
SPEL Nickname: Buckle
Hidden SPEL Talent: Used to be a horse whisperer
SPEL Secret: Doesn’t believe in hand brakes on cars (PS check his bumper)
Cameron Hales
Hidden SPEL Talent: Probably the world’s worst bass player
SPEL Secret: Actually really likes Zoom
James Hales
Hidden SPEL Talent: A seriously good fitter - can fix stuff
SPEL Secret: Very passionate about finding cheaper, quicker ways to do things without sacrificing on quality
Clint Mead
SPEL Nickname: Meadles
Hidden SPEL Talent: Has exceptional ability to leave his trail wherever he goes; is the inhouse Chef and we all wish he would start his own restaurant
SPEL Secret: He could probably write an accurate product review of everything you could possibly buy: So it pays to consult him before making any buying decisions
Michelle Peebles
Hidden SPEL Talent: Knows Karate and many other oriental words
SPEL Secret: Loves wine and has always wondered why there seems
to be a hole in the bottom of every bottle she gets
John Lovett
SPEL Nickname: Grandpa
Hidden SPEL Talent: How to stay employed
SPEL Secret: 35 years of them…………
Lai Adolfo
Executive Assistant to AH
SPEL Nickname: Lai
Hidden SPEL Talent: Jack of all trades
SPEL Secret: My fitness routine involves jump rope drills
Carl Santos
Loves playing basketball and the guitar. Enjoys a good single malt on laid back weekends
NSW/ACT TEAM
André Magar
Has been a massive Liverpool FC supporter since the age of 5 but only wishes the time difference with the UK isn’t what it currently is so he doesn’t have to wake up at 4 AM to watch the matches live.
Andrew Buggins
Hidden SPEL Talent: Andrew’s passion is a powerful force in the workplace and uses his positive attitude and tireless energy to encourage others to work hard and succeed.
SPEL Secret: if I gave it away it would no longer be a secret!
Henry Ha
Hidden SPEL Talent: Able to keep secrets
SPEL Secret: See above!
Jarvis Pederson
SPEL Nickname: Pedro
Hidden SPEL Talent: Innovation and Problem Solving
SPEL Secret: Proud to help deliver high quality SPEL projects
John Makin
Hidden SPEL Talent: A competitive person, my priority is my goal
SPEL Secret: If I can, find an answer to my 'Why' question.
Phillip Zervos
SPEL Nickname: Philosophical
Hidden SPEL Talent: Problem Solving
SPEL Secret: Having many talents!
Robert Chesterfield
Hidden SPEL Talent: Focus, Determination and Grit.
SPEL Secret: A love of good quality seafood and wine.
Tom Hales
SPEL Nickname: don’t think I have one…. Phillippines call me Thom
Hidden SPEL Talent: Persuasive
SPEL Secret: Can’t go a day without a Mrs Macs Pie
Zaid Ali
SPEL Nickname: Zed
Hidden SPEL Talent: Animal lover, for a pet cat and a couple sheep.
SPEL Secret: Would prefer to watch live sports over movies. Enjoys road trips, camping and fishing with family and friends.
Matt Charles
SPEL Nickname: Slinger
Hidden SPEL Talent: Jack of all trades, keeps calm and gets the job done.
SPEL Secret: Will do anything if offered free beer.
Alrik Estrada
Rhoda Tolentino
SPEL Nickname: Rhoda
Hidden SPEL Talent: Always find a way to do fantastic work
SPEL Secret: Passionate about food and cooking
QLD TEAM
Sina Moshirvaziri
SPEL Nickname: Sina Macarena!
Hidden SPEL Talent: People who know him personally will say he is a good cook
SPEL Secret: Although he doesn’t play for a club he is one talented soccer player
Chad Wright
Hidden SPEL Talent: Likes Bourbon, but hates coke!!!!!!!! And plays the piano like Billy Joel.
SPEL Secret: Has a passionate hate for KFC, but somehow seems to really love it every time he is forced to eat it.
Dan Woodford
SPEL Nickname: Woodford Reserve
Hidden SPEL Talent: I see a visions in clean water and gain wisdom from wine.
SPEL Secret: I am addicted to tea. I plan each day around cups of tea.
Leah McNaughton
SPEL Nickname: Granny
Hidden SPEL Talent: Makes bread for the love and we all wonder why she doesn’t take on the National Bread Association
SPEL Secret: Likes to refer to herself as the dragon, the rest of us are too scared to mention it (PS she is actually really nice)
Leon Attwood
Hidden SPEL Talent: Can be known to put up quicker workout times than some Crossfit Games athletes. Enjoys toast but can’t handle butter
SPEL Secret: We sometimes wonder if ‘impossible’ is in his vocabulary – By the way, manhandling a parked car to service a stormwater pit is a perfectly normal thing to do!
Peter Hancock
Hidden SPEL Talent: Hearing the office beer fridge being opened from 50m
SPEL Secret: I only drink on two occasions: when it’s my birthday and when it’s not.
Sarah Hornbuckle
Hidden SPEL Talent: A first aid expert – the most critical job here by the way
SPEL Secret: Drives a Subaru WRX, that some of the guys are waiting to take for spin one day.
Toby Attwood
SPEL Nickname: Tobes
Hidden SPEL Talent: Doesn’t stop eating and sometimes adds milk to his cup of Milo
SPEL Secret: Plays the bass guitar in his sleep
Troy Mansinger
Hidden SPEL Talent: Good at catching fish that seem to grow exceptionally after he has made the catch
SPEL Secret: Cooks a Mean Lasagna
Erika Sayman
SPEL Nickname: Erika
Hidden SPEL Talent: Fast and legible upside down writing
SPEL Secret: I’m an RPVG (role playing video game) fanatic
Daryll Sayman
SPEL Nickname: Daryll
Hidden SPEL Talent: I can burp my ABC's
SPEL Secret: I'm a Graphic Artist by trade
Anne Savellano
SPEL Nickname: Newbie
Hidden SPEL Talent: I can remain calm even when faced with difficult situations
SPEL Secret: I find peace and happiness at grocery stores
Oya Casaclang
SPEL Nickname: Oya
Hidden SPEL Talent: multi-tasking is my ability
SPEL Secret: I sing beautiful melodies and bake delicious goodies
SA/WA TEAM
Paul Garcia
VIC/TAS TEAM
Calvin Hornsey
Oscar Salisbury
Hidden SPEL Talent: loves every sport (soft spot for Melbourne Storm) and a cold beverage every night.
SPEL Secret: Wishes he could go into hibernation in the winter months.
Kurt Jensen
Spends his weekends ‘fixing something’ on his ute or going for a drive in said ute. Will only sit still, ever, to capture a perfect photo.
Lee Parker
Hidden SPEL Talent: Enjoys singing country music, but CAN’T
SPEL Secret: Loves drinking Bourbon Whiskey, and CAN!
Dan Thorp
Hidden SPEL Talent: Dual Trade Electrical & Instrumentation Technician
SPEL Secret: I play Hockey right handed and Cricket left handed.
Mircea Stancu
SPEL Nickname – Five EM
Hidden SPEL Talent – Can answer questions about flying/swimming in low gravity fields (eg: Moon)
SPEL Secret – Mircea plans on mountain biking on Olympus Mons.
Ian Hulse
SPEL Nickname – Little Hulsy
Hidden SPEL Talent – Speciality in nearly all geosynthetic products
SPEL Talent: Skilled in Engineering, Business Development, Environmental Awareness, Construction, and Management
Jacob Pettman
A generalist and scientist who enjoys the outdoors, adventure sports and strength training.
David Pham
SPEL Nickname – Still too new to the company to have one!
Hidden SPEL Talent – Nothing is hidden with me!!
SPEL Secret – I’ll tell you in a year.
Pier Salandanan
Loves technology and the environment with a certain knack for adventure. Compelled by Laudato Si’, aims to protect the environment near or far from home
MAINTENANCE TEAM
Michael Maguire
Hidden SPEL Talent: Experimenting with Whiskey & Bourbon distilling
SPEL Secret: Manage to watch sporting events while still achieving goals, Has been to every Bathurst V8 Supercar event over the last 18 years except for this year and he hasn’t been the same since
Lyn Lumabas
SPEL Nickname: Lyn
SPEL Hidden Talent: Multi-tasking and oh! Spinning pen around my fingers.
SPEL Secret: A terrible singer
Joseph Bautista
Daniel Tirados
SPEL Nickname: Spaceman Dan
Hidden SPEL Talent: Whips up super spicy food for unsuspecting friends.
SPEL Secret: That's not coffee in my morning mug, it's Coke
Research & Development
We have a strong focus on continuous improvement – constantly developing solutions to deal with the increasing pressures on the environment and its water systems.
In keeping with our commitment to improve the world’s water and wastewater quality, we work with five respected universities – Queensland University of Technology (QUT), University of Sunshine Coast (USC), University of South Australia, Griffith University and University of Warwick (UK). With these establishments we undertake lab and field-testing to confirm product performance. We also work closely with Manly Hydraulics Laboratory in full-scale lab testing of new products.
UNIVERSITY PARTNERS
Research & Development
FIELD TESTING FOR IMPROVED WATER QUALITY
Field Testing for Improved Water Quality
We work on high-quality solutions for stormwater pollutant removal. SPEL undertakes ‘proof of concept’ testing in a laboratory to demonstrate a product has potential in controlled, predictable conditions. Our main emphasis then becomes field-testing, ensuring these products will deliver in the real world.
The universities are engaged to independently conduct the field testing on all SPEL water quality improvement devices and report on the results.
A CONSTANTLY CHANGING ENVIRONMENT
A Constantly Changing Environment
Most importantly, to provide highly efficient and effective water improvement solutions, we are abreast of the many stringent and constantly changing requirements of water sensitive urban design.
Our philosophy of continuous improvement through research also means the team at SPEL is always at the forefront of water quality innovation working with engineers (both environmental and civil) and planners to find unique solutions to real-world challenges.
