Oliver Kelly Group

Building Excellence

Building Capability, Culture, and Civil Expertise Across Tasmania and Beyond

From its early beginnings as a residential construction outfit to its current position as a diversified, mid-sized contractor delivering complex commercial and civil infrastructure works, the evolution of Oliver Kelly Group is a story defined by adaptability, investment, and an unwavering focus on people.

Founded in 2011 by Matthew Kelly and Damien Oliver, the business initially operated as Oliver Kelly Construction, servicing residential projects across Tasmania. As the company matured and opportunities expanded, a strategic shift followed. By 2016, the business formally transitioned into the Oliver Kelly Group, reflecting a broader mandate that would encompass commercial construction, civil works, plumbing, and large-scale infrastructure delivery.

Today, the company is jointly led by Directors Matthew Kelly and Rick Speers and employs approximately 85 to 90 staff, a number that has remained intentionally stable to ensure operational efficiency, strong project oversight, and a consistent company culture.

From Residential Roots to National Infrastructure

The transformation of Oliver Kelly Group accelerated as it moved beyond residential work into the commercial sector, before ultimately establishing a strong civil construction capability. This diversification proved pivotal.

One of the most significant inflection points in the company’s growth came through its involvement in large-scale national infrastructure programs. Working initially with John Holland on power grid upgrades in Tasmania, the company soon became deeply involved in the rollout of telecommunications infrastructure across Australia. This included foundation and civil works for wireless towers under the NBN rollout, with projects delivered across Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, Queensland, the Northern Territory, and Tasmania.

That period of national delivery, which spanned approximately five to six years and concluded around the onset of COVID-19, fundamentally reshaped the business. It required investment in plant, people, and systems, while also proving the company’s ability to operate at scale in demanding environments.

As that chapter closed, Oliver Kelly Group seamlessly pivoted again—this time deepening its presence in local infrastructure delivery.

A Trusted Partner for Civil and Commercial Projects

Civil construction now represents a major pillar of the business, with Oliver Kelly Group undertaking a wide range of concrete, drainage, and infrastructure works. A substantial portion of this activity is delivered in partnership with the Tasmanian Water Authority (TasWater), for whom the company carries out ongoing drainage and water infrastructure projects across the state.

Alongside civil works, the commercial construction arm continues to grow. Recent flagship projects highlight the company’s versatility and technical capability, including a 48-unit affordable housing development delivered for Housing Choices Tasmania, as well as a high-end, multi-storey residential development in Hobart. The latter involved the construction of luxury apartments integrated with a heritage-listed property on Patrick Street, a complex project that demanded precision, sensitivity, and close collaboration with stakeholders.

“Ultimately, we do just about anything, just about anywhere,” says Project Manager Griffin Clark, who has been closely involved in the commercial portfolio over the past three years.

Managing Growth with Discipline

Like many mid-sized construction firms, Oliver Kelly Group operates in an environment shaped by skilled labour constraints, supply chain complexity, and geographic challenges. Tasmania’s location adds an additional layer of logistical consideration, particularly when projects involve mainland subcontractors or suppliers.

Rather than chasing volume for its own sake, the company has adopted a measured approach to growth. With construction, civil, and plumbing divisions operating under one roof, projects are selected based on how well they align with the business as a whole.

“There’s a natural balance,” Speers explains. “The diversity of the business allows us to support ourselves internally, which reduces pressure on labour and resources.”

This discipline also extends to workforce planning. Leadership recognises that growth on-site must be matched by adequate project management capacity. As a result, Oliver Kelly Group has found its operational sweet spot at around 90 employees, a scale that allows for responsiveness without diluting oversight or culture.

People as the Foundation

Culture is central to everything Oliver Kelly Group does. The company’s guiding philosophy—People, Our Foundation—is more than a slogan; it shapes hiring decisions, leadership accessibility, and day-to-day operations.

The business places strong emphasis on apprenticeships, internal development, and maintaining a workplace where employees have direct access to senior leadership. This people-first mindset is viewed as essential to sustaining performance, safety, and long-term success.

“We don’t have a business without the people in the field,” Clark notes. “That’s something we’re very deliberate about.”

As the next generation of leaders continues to emerge within the organisation, succession and legacy planning are increasingly important. Empowering younger team members and giving them a genuine stake in the company’s future is seen as critical to sustainable growth.

Long-Standing Supplier Partnerships

Operating in a close-knit market like Tasmania reinforces the importance of trust and loyalty. Oliver Kelly Group has built long-term relationships with key suppliers and subcontractors, many of whom have supported the business since its earliest days.

From concrete and reinforcement suppliers to specialist civil product providers, these partnerships are treated as strategic assets. In many cases, the same suppliers have worked with the company continuously since 2011, underscoring a commitment to mutual reliability and shared success.

“It’s all about relationships,” Speers says. “We don’t jump around. We build partnerships and honour them.”

Investing in Capability and Visibility

Ongoing investment is a defining feature of the company’s strategy. Significant capital is continually directed toward plant and equipment, including excavators, trucks, and specialised civil machinery. At the same time, Oliver Kelly Group is upgrading its digital and software systems to streamline payroll, workforce management, safety compliance, and project reporting.

Safety culture remains a top priority, with new systems being implemented to enhance engagement, visibility, and compliance across all sites.

Another area of growing focus is media and brand visibility. As a business capable of delivering end-to-end construction solutions, Oliver Kelly Group is actively investing in telling its story—both within Tasmania and on the mainland.

“We’re essentially a one-stop shop,” Speers explains. “That’s something that really sets us apart, and it’s important people understand the full scope of what we do.”

Giving Back to the Community

Community involvement is deeply embedded in the company’s identity. Oliver Kelly Group supports a wide range of local initiatives, from sporting teams and fundraising events to raffles and community functions across Tasmania.

For leadership, this commitment reflects a simple principle: giving back to the communities that support the business.

Looking Ahead

While leadership remains deliberately cautious about projecting exact growth figures, the outlook for Oliver Kelly Group is one of steady expansion—particularly across civil and commercial construction. Future growth will be driven not just by new projects, but by continued investment in people, systems, and partnerships.

Above all, the company’s direction remains grounded in its core belief: that long-term success is built on strong foundations—both structural and human.

AT A GLANCE

Who: Oliver Kelly Group

What: A leading commercial contractor looking to expand and take on further leading projects

Where: Devonport, Tasmania

Website: www.oliverkellygroup.com.au

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