About Us

Superior Excavating and Vegetation Control Services in Tasmania

Our Team

1 Mathew Burns

Owner, Managing Director

Mathew Burns is the founder of the company with over 25 years of experience in Project/Contract Management, Scoping, Machinery Capability and Business Management. Mathew has established strong contacts across many fields within the contracting industry and is able to explore all options for clients to ensure that the best solutions are delivered.

2 Adam Burns

Operations and Safety Manager

With the company from the beginning, Adam is highly skilled in Traffic Control, Vegetation Management, Project and Contract Management, including Scoping and Pricing, Machinery Capability and Staff Management.

3 Rob Dobie

Project Manager

Rob has over 34 years of experience, including managing his own company. Rob brings a well informed and experienced perspective to ensure the constant review and refinement of productivity and quality of work. Rob has a wealth of experience with on the ground, hands-on Project Management.

4 David Hurd

General Manager

David has over 28 years experience in surveying, road maintenance, construction and compliance. He has been with State-Wide Earthworks for the last 8 years and coordinates contract, compliance and management programs within the business. He holds a Bachelor of Surveying, internal auditor, Cert 4 in Project Management, HazOps facilitator and Dupont safety culture presenter accreditations.

5 Jamie Brooks

Transport Manager and Foresty

With 30 years experience in the transport and forestry industries, starting out as a heavy vehicle operator, Jamie gained knowledge in logistics, fleet management, and compliance. Now serving as Transport Manager, Jamie oversees fleet operations, logistics, and forestry operations.

6 Stuart Cockerill

Project Manager

With 7 years in the civil construction industry, combining hands-on experience with leadership in safety, compliance, and project management. Stu has recently joined us and brings a strong skill set in managing operations, scheduling works and liaising with stakeholders.

7 Wade Gleeson

Traffic Manager

An experienced Traffic Manager in civil construction, skilled in creating and running traffic management plans to keep worksites safe and traffic flowing smoothly. Knows the ins and outs of traffic control rules and works closely with teams, councils, and others to minimise disruptions. Focused on safety, compliance, and getting the job done right.

Vision Statement

“To secure and grow our future by being the best business in the Tasmanian Contracting Industry that we can be.”

Our Roots

Commencing operation as ‘State-Wide Forest Services’ in 1995, our core business was forest and plantation management. At the peak of forestry in Tasmania, we employed 80 people across Tasmania, Victoria and South Australia.

With the demise of plantation and overall forestry management in Tasmania, we pivoted our business model to utilise the machinery skill set we had retained and built the business up again. We are an innovative company and not afraid to change or invest to become a useful resource for projects across Tasmania.

Certified & Reliable Services

Our business has an advantage over most because of the wide range of skillset we have across the company but also with individual operators. We have the capability to manage our own projects from clearing vegetation to site prep, road forming and asset placement.

All our operators have certification of competencies. The majority of us hold working at heights qualifications, White Card, Traffic Control and have electrical (PSSR) certification. At every level of our organisation, from management to drivers, we are focused on safety. We make no compromise and take all the necessary practical steps to ensure the safety and well-being of our staff, our customers, and the public.