Our Director
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Ernie Gmehling
Associate Dip Eng (civil) AFIEAust
Ernie brings over 43 years of hands-on experience to Ground Science and is widely regarded as a leader within Australia’s geotechnical engineering community. As Managing Director, Ernie has played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s direction, culture, and technical standards since its inception in 2003.
Ernie is the current Chairman of the Australian Standards CE009 Committee, a role he has held since 2006, contributing to the development of national standards for geotechnical testing and practices. He is also an active NATA Technical Assessor and serves on NATA’s Technical Advisory Committee, where he supports the continual improvement of laboratory standards across the industry.
Over the course of his career, Ernie has developed specialist knowledge across a wide range of geotechnical disciplines, including:
- Preparation of earthworks specifications for residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects
- Specification and management of topsoil and sodic soils for landscaping and rehabilitation
- Development of sewer trench backfill specifications for land development
- Design and certification of clay liners for water-holding structures such as dams, wetlands, and retention basins
- Subgrade remediation for problematic or highly reactive ground conditions
- Engineering for construction over soft or weak soils, including preloading and other ground improvement techniques
Ernie is also nationally recognised for his work in the sports and leisure sector, providing expert advice on turf playing fields, synthetic surfaces and hard courts, horse racing tracks, and sustainable construction practices. His work often involves material selection, performance benchmarking, and research into a range of civil engineering materials including the use of recycled materials in geotechnical applications.
A passionate advocate for practical, client-focused solutions, Ernie has authored multiple training modules for technical colleges and is a regular presenter at both national and state-level industry conferences. His leadership combines deep technical knowledge with a commitment to quality, innovation, and service excellence.
Ernie is a keen water-skier, loves international trekking and seeking adventures across the globe and is a confident and skilled woodcarver.
