DEVELOPING INSIGHTS
CONVERSATIONS ON SUNSHINE COAST PROPERTY
In this month’s Developing Insights we speak to Chris Coxhead, the owner of CLD Civil and Earthmoving, a new player in the development industry on the Sunshine Coast. Chris talks about his history, the points of difference in their business, and his dislike of red tape for small business. CLD are one of those firms we all need to support – they employ local people, they get things done and they are good at what they do. We hope you enjoy the interview.
Thanks for joining us, Chris. Tell us a little about CLD, your business model, your team and your markets.
We started CLD three years ago with a job at Sunrise Road in Doonan. We have grown from a team of four to 25 today. We operate from the Sunshine Coast to South Brisbane. We do civil construction and excavation, but specialise in pipeworks and infrastructure. We want to continue to excel in that area.
We believe our differentiator is that, for a smallish operator, we own our own plant and machinery, and keep utilisation rates high. This also allows us to control our own destiny.
Our objective over the next 3-5 years is to be self-sufficient, sustainable and to grow at a steady rate.
When did you first get interested in the development industry / how did you get your start?
My love of earthmoving started as young boy in the sandpit! After school I did some work with Carruthers Civil Contractors and moved through mining, self-employment as a machine operator and time with Blacklaws and eventually Shadforths. This experience, I think, qualifies me reasonably well for what I am doing today.
Who has been the most influential person in your development education and why? Who do you look up to in the industry?
My partner, Leah. She is a strong and independent person, and is the real driving force behind our business.
The Sunshine Coast is a notoriously cyclical economy. What are the main strengths of the development industry on the Coast?
Yes, the Coast is a very cyclical economy, and we should all stay cognisant of this. The main change we have seen is a rise in interstate investors and owner-occupiers coming to the region. This is a great place to live, so the influx of people is no surprise!
What has changed in the last 5 years in the industry here?
The cycle has improved! Some of this is due to the private sector, but a lot is to do with government investing in the region. This includes the State Government building the new hospital, the Federal Government investing in the Bruce Highway and SC Council executing its economic strategy.
How could the development and construction industries improve?
A lot could be done on council approval times and spurious conditions. Without projects being approved there is no work for us or the downstream builders who depend on our work.
What has been your most significant / favourite project here on the Sunshine Coast?
Our recent project in Noosa Waters, which delivered the last 50 residential lots in this area. We had a great client, a very good engineering design and we delivered a superb outcome. We are very proud of all of our work, but this project in particular.
What does the next five years look like here on the Sunshine Coast?
We expect growth to continue for at least a couple of years, off the back of the major projects that are underway and in the pipeline. The smaller projects flow from the larger ones, and there is a good pipeline of work.
What do you get on your soap box about?
Not much – I am pretty relaxed! But red tape for small business and rising fuel prices are two that spring to mind. If projects keep being approved and stay simple, we can execute on them and move to the next one. If it gets too hard to do business here, we have to move locations.
Thanks for joining us, Chris.
September 2017
