Our People

Alister Copley

Alister is a qualified Engineer (Hons) from Monash University with Post Graduate Certificates in Structural Engineering. Originally from the automotive sector, he has also worked in senior management and project management positions within the Medical Device and Transportation Industry. Following his passion into the waterfront, Alister is also a qualified Yacht master (Ocean) and was head of Marine Operations at Middle Harbour Yacht Club managing its on water operations as well as the Marina Expansion and Australian Sailing Team Deck Extension project.

The combined knowledge of engineering and a passion for the waterfront ensure that the projects are designed to maximise the potential of the site and deliver the final outcome to the client. Alister oversees all projects and has a keen understanding for the ins and outs of the waterfront.

Managing Director

Peter Talveski

Peter has worked as a civil and structural engineer for the past 35 years on a variety of large-scale projects in the civil and building environment. Peter is listed National Engineering Register for Civil and Structural Engineering. Peter has more than 30 years’ experience in the industry, recognised by his status as a Fellow of the Institute of Engineers Australia (FIEAust). He is also a Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) with a commitment to ongoing education, training and professional development. He wealth of experience in complex engineering projects provides a keen ability to analysis any given engineering project.

Civil and Structural Engineer

Kerry Hamann

Kerry is an experienced planner professional with a background in Environmental Biology. Her previous employment at Department of Planning and Council ensure that the detailed complex nature of this environment is covered in any planning application. A combined environmental background and planning experience is key to ensuring any waterfront developments meet the stringent guidelines of DPI Fisheries protecting this valuable marine ecosystem.

Lead Planner

Michael Brewer

Michael is a is a Registered Planner and highly experienced planning professional with over 33 years’ expertise in statutory and environmental planning across New South Wales and Queensland. His career spans senior technical and leadership roles across local government, the private sector and specialised State Government taskforces, providing him with a comprehensive understanding of planning systems, approvals pathways and environmental assessment processes. He is a recognised expert in land use planning and environmental approvals, appearing in the NSW Land and Environment Court since 1994. He currently serves as an Expert Member on the Hunters Hill and Liverpool Local Planning Panels, further demonstrating his depth of expertise and leadership within the planning sector.

Known for his practical solutions-focused approach, Michael delivers robust and workable outcomes across complex planning contexts, often where equally complex heritage, ecological, visual impact and contamination issues are involved. He is an active and long-standing leader in the profession and currently sits on the NSW State Committee of the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) as the Hunter and Central Coast Convenor, with contributions to various subcommittees.

Principal Planner

Rob has worked as a boatyard manager for over 20 years in some of the largest boatyards in Australia including Sydney City Marine, Noakes and Gippsland Ports. Rob has extensive experience in the safe operation of a boatyard and movement of vessels. During his time as Boat Yard Manager, Rob has used a variety of equipment including Travel Lifts, Boat Lifts, Hydraulic Trailers, Cradles and boat stands providing a valuable insight into the industry best practice for boat yards and operations. Located in Victoria, Rob assist with all works in this region including Tasmania and South Australia

Rob McGrath

Commercial Boatyard Consultant & Project Manager – Victorian Territory Manager

Justin Hunt

Justin heads up our WA branch office. As a WA local, he has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the Perth waterfront. With a childhood on the local waters, a passion for customer service and extensive project management experience,

Justin ensures that all his customers receive exceptional support throughout their project.

Justin has an extensive commercial background but his unique contribution to Copley Marine is his experience partnering with Government departments and agencies to complete infrastructure projects that create strong community engagement whilst simultaneously driving local business development.

Customers from all sectors will benefit from having Justin as a project partner as he ensures their development and commercial needs are met whilst ensuring superior levels of community engagement.

Western Australian Territory Manager

Gavin has worked as a CAD designer for over 30 years on many complex projects including over 15 years in the design of maritime structures. Initially employed by Copley Marine Group on individual projects, Gavin now works full time on Copley Marine Group projects and is a welcome member to our team.

Gavin Collins

CAD designer

Ben, our CAD Trainee, supports the company’s specialised waterfront design projects. Focused on marina and waterfront structure design, he plays an essential role in assisting engineers and designers to develop sustainable and innovative solutions for both commercial and residential waterfront developments.

Ben Copley

CAD Trainee

Kat Blumer

Kat Blumer is an accomplished systems analyst and implementation specialist with a proven track record across education, finance and consulting. With a first-class honours degree in Engineering and extensive industry experience, Kat is perfectly suited to ensure the back-end systems of Copley Marine run smoothly. She knows that when the systems work properly, we can focus on an exceptional experience for our customers, and Kat brings this focus to her work and the innovative solutions that come with it. With a strong foundation in business process design, strategic analysis and project management, Kat combines analytical rigour with practical problem solving. Her commitment to continuous improvement and stakeholder engagement makes her an indispensable member of the Copley Marine team.

Practice Systems Integration Lead

Matt Fraser looks after the finance of CMG and ensures that all aspects of the CMG accounts are in order. With an extensive background in the marine industry, his understanding of this along with his professional background ensures that the accounts are kept on track.