Allen Potgieter

Chief Operating Officer and Director
Year joined DMA: 2011

Allen is the Chief Operating Officer for DMA Engineers. He has more than 25 years’ experience as a consulting engineer. Having worked in numerous roles including design engineer, lead engineer, independent reviewer, expert witness, strategic or state’s advisor, he is able to consider possibilities from different views. Allen enjoys projects where unusual solutions are sought.

In his view, it’s not just about coming up with a design solution that works but, rather, about results that add value without costing ‘an arm and a leg’.

Allen work with architects, project managers, quantity surveyors, civil and structural engineers and other professionals to provide exceptional engineering outcomes. He helps clients to undertake remote hospital redevelopments, design state-of-the-art aged care facilities, and create consistency in the design of major retail chains. Over the years, Allen has seen that what is critical for most clients. For example, minimising lost floor space to house the building services, always being flexible in what is documented vs what is built, and balancing the capital and operational costs.

Allen constantly reminds himself that it’s important to get started well. The concept and feasibility stages entail preliminary planning to ensure the project will be successful. Part of this is considering outcomes in both a technical, and financial sense.

Very easy to work with, good sound advice, adaptable approach and happy to work within a complex project. – Damien Stubbs, Johnstaff (Mater Private Hospital Project Manager)

Career highlights:

Allen has experience across a variety of sectors. He has significant experience in the retail, aged-care, education, commercial and industrial sectors. He worked on large health projects from 2008 to 2012, with some key projects including:

  • Perth Children’s Hospital: ‘State’s Advisor – Electrical” from pre-design through to completion for this $1.2-billion project that will be the benchmark for other hospitals for years to come.
  • Laura Johnson Aged Care Home: the DMA Engineers team lead for a new 150-bed facility.
  • Coles Alderley: the DMA Engineers team lead for a $30-million suburban shopping centre.
  • Department of Education and Training (DET) schools roll-out 2017-2018: led the DMA team for a number of schools that are expanding as part of the DET’s funding for advancing schools. This includes the West End State School.
  • Gold Coast University Hospital: lead for the electrical team and was the lead electrical engineer for the Central Energy Plant (CEP) for this 750-bed hospital.
  • The Townsville Hospital Redevelopment: led the team through an options study for the new Central Energy Facility (CEF) that was completed in 2014. Allen also provided engineering oversight & QA to the project generally.

Other select project experience:

• Sullivan Nicolaides Head Office, Bowen Hills (QLD) – Lead Hydraulic Consultant
• STARS / SRACC Development, Herston Brisbane – Lead Hydraulic Consultant
• Mater Hospital and Mater Private Hospital Brisbane (MPBH) Advanced Water Treatment project – DMA Project Manager and Lead Hydraulic Consultant
• Sunshine Coast University Hospital Services – Lead Hydraulic Consultant
• Brisbane Private Hospital (QLD) – CSSD Upgrade – Lead Hydraulic Consultant
• Mater Private Hospital AHU Replacement (QLD) Lead Hydraulic Consultant
• Logan Hospital (QLD) – Maternity, Digitalisation – Lead Hydraulic Consultant
• The Avenue, Maroochydore (QLD) DMA Project Manager & Lead Hydraulic
• Caloundra Christian College (QLD) – DMA Project Manager & Lead Hydraulic
• QUT Creative Industries Precinct 2 & 3 (QLD) Lead Hydraulic Consultant
• USQ Springfield – Block F Engineering Building – Lead Hydraulic Consultant
• Brisbane Markets – Building ‘F’ Fresh Centre – Lead Hydraulic Consultant
• Mercedes Benz Dealership, Newstead (QLD) – Lead Hydraulic Consultant
• Easy Times Brewery (QLD) DMA Project Manager & Lead Hydraulic Consultant
• Lutwyche City Shopping Centre (QLD) – Lead Hydraulic Consultant
• National Cricket Australia Campus (QLD) – Lead Hydraulic Consultant

Specialisations:

Every project is different and I take time to determine what is needed, in terms of strategy and deliverables, to make each project a success. In most cases assessments are flexible and changes as the project progresses. This is “design development”. Ultimately the ‘deliverables’ will enhance the project with an outcome that exceeds expectations.

Allen works at his best when assisting with key project drivers:

  • Resources and planning.
  • Concept, feasibility and budget.
  • Execution and delivery.

He starts by selecting a team for project rather than selecting a project for the team. He then allocates time and programs the work. Only once these fundamentals are addressed, can the project begin.

My qualifications and accreditations:

  • National Technical Diploma (Electrical)

Professional Memberships:

  • Engineers Australia Membership Number 3559483
  • Leading Aged Services Australia committee member LASA Property and Development Group