58 | CONTRACTING Sierra Delta Civil Staff stepping up to meet growth Sierra Delta Civil is delivering the council’s walking and cycling improvements contract, comprising two separable portions. T T Russell Fredric “Everyone really cares for each other and looks out for each other. I think that’s probably been one of the strongest things to help us build the business.” Recent growth is giving Upper Hutt-based Sierra Delta Civil’s long-serving staff opportunities to step up as the company builds its capability in the Wellington region. Owned by Sam and Melissa Dews, Sierra Delta Civil employs between 26 and 30 staff, up from about 17 a year ago. Its diverse civil capability includes subdivisions, parks and reserve upgrades, council roading, footpath renewals and safety improvements, along with three waters renewals. The company works predominantly for local and regional councils, government clients and developers from Wairarapa to Wellington and the Kāpiti Coast. Two current projects highlight the breadth of its work in both the public and private sectors. For Kāpiti Coast District Council, Sierra Delta Civil is delivering the council’s walking and cycling improvements contract, comprising two separable portions. The first involves widening Peka Peka Road to provide safer passage for cyclists, while the second includes installing 1650sqm of new concrete footpath on Park Avenue in Waikanae. The project started in late February and was due for completion in early August. Meanwhile, in Masterton, Sierra Delta Civil is completing the first stage of The Avenue, a three-stage, multi-lot subdivision for Hyslop Homes. The company has taken a former rural block through earthworks and the installation of all services, to road construction, with kerbing, channel and roading works underway as the project nears completion. Stage 1 comprises 15 lots, with 39 planned over the development’s three stages. The two projects reflect Sierra Delta Civil’s ability to work for both government clients and private developers, Sam says. “The Peka Peka contract is obviously our government side, whereas the Hyslop Homes one is more of the developer-builder side, which is the two main ways that we sway.” The company’s recent expansion follows several years in which its ambitions were constrained by Covid-19 and a shortage of work. Growth during the past six to 12 months has been supported by a stronger market and the company’s increasing profile, including winning the 2025 CCNZ Wellington Wairarapa Contractor Image Award. Rather than recruiting a new leadership layer, Sierra Delta Civil has developed existing staff, enabling them to advance as opportunities emerged. Skilled labourers have progressed into foreman roles, while experienced foremen have moved into supervision as new staff members have joined the business. Sam says that progression has been particularly rewarding for the team. “We’re all stepping up together to grow the business, which has been really cool to see.” The next phase will focus on consolidating that growth and developing newer staff so the same progression can continue in three to five years. Technology supports the company’s expanding capability. Its SiteDocs platform brings Health & Safety, environmental and quality systems together with staff qualifications and licences, while GPS survey equipment helps maintain quality on-site. The family business includes Sam’s wife, Melissa, who works in accounts, his sister, Laura Hae, who handles tender writing, administration and financials, and quantity surveyor, Chris Mooney, who manages pricing and tenders. The company’s close-knit culture has been fundamental to its growth, Sam says. “It is very much a family business, even though we’re not all family. “Everyone really cares for each other and looks out for each other. I think that’s probably been one of the strongest things to help us build the business.”
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=