InsightStephen Chaseling takes the lead in Queensland

TSA Riley’s Queensland team has a new leader. After 6 years with the business, Stephen Chaseling has stepped into the role of Regional General Manager, Queensland, succeeding Lloyd Goves, who has led the region since TSA Riley first established a presence in the state.

With a career spanning health, transport, aviation, and commercial projects, Steve has built a reputation for leading high-performing teams and delivering complex projects. Now, he’s focused on driving TSA Riley’s continued growth in Queensland, strengthening client relationships, and expanding into new markets—all while balancing work with time spent fishing, camping, and catching up with his wife, Angela, and their 2 sons, Matt and Ben.

We sat down with Steve to hear about his career journey, the lessons he’s learned, and what excites him most about leading TSA Riley’s Queensland team into the future.

 

Plan A didn’t fly, Plan B wasn’t the cure, Plan C got burnt

Steve’s career nearly took a different turn. “I tried to join the Army as a helicopter pilot—I passed everything except the final aptitude test for flying. They offered me a place in medical school instead, but I turned it down for construction. Probably not my smartest decision! But I think I would have found my way here no matter what—I love the challenge of building things and working with people.”

That decision led Steve to the housing industry, where he started as a tradesman in residential construction. “I loved the sense of accomplishment—standing back at the end of the day and seeing something tangible that I had built,” he says. “That feeling has never changed, only the scale of the projects has grown.”

But there was a problem: Australia’s relentless sun. Steve laughs. “As you can see, I’m very pale. Most of my work was outdoors, and I realised I needed to find something I loved doing that didn’t involve being in the sun all day.” That realisation led him to the University of Newcastle, where he completed a bachelor of construction management. From there, Steve moved into contracting, managing construction sites and working across a range of projects. Over time, he took on larger roles, eventually overseeing multiple teams and major builds.

Before joining TSA Riley, Steve moved into operations management, overseeing 10–15 project managers. This experience gave him a broad perspective on project delivery, leadership, and managing large teams—all skills that shaped his career. His adaptability became a defining trait—something he’s now seeing in his own sons.

“My eldest, Matt, has followed me into construction—he’s just finished a construction management degree and started working in Rockhampton. My younger son, Ben, is still figuring things out. He’s tried a few things, including construction, and now he’s considering FIFO work,” Steve says. “I tell him there’s no rush—plenty of people take different paths before landing where they’re meant to be. I did the same.”

 

Switching lanes: from houses to hospitals

Steve doesn’t like to stay in one lane. “I’ve deliberately avoided specialising in just one sector because I get bored easily,” he admits. “I’ve worked across health, aviation, residential, transport, wineries—you name it, I’ve probably built it.” That breadth of experience led him to TSA Riley, where he was brought on specifically to help deliver Tweed Valley Hospital—one of the most significant health infrastructure projects in Australian history. “Taking that site from a potato farm to a fully operational, world-class hospital—through Covid and a major flood event—was an incredible challenge,” Steve says.

The $723 million Tweed Valley Hospital was a once-in-a-generation project, designed to transform healthcare for the region and future-proof services for decades to come. Steve led the delivery phase, steering the project through supply chain disruptions, extreme weather, and the challenges of building in a flood-prone area—all while managing one of the country’s most ambitious hospital builds.

 

 

Left: Steve on site—deep in thought and keeping things on track.
Left of centre: With members of the Tweed Valley Hospital Redevelopment project team.
Top right: Celebrating the opening of Tweed Valley Hospital alongside government representatives, Health Infrastructure, project stakeholders and colleagues.
Lower right: A Brisbane office lunch… or an unplanned uniform day?
.

 

So, what’s next for Lloyd?

With Steve stepping into the regional general manager role, it begs the question—where does that leave Lloyd Goves? Lloyd isn’t just part of TSA Riley’s Queensland team—he built it. Since 2015, he has been the driving force behind the Queensland business, leading it through significant growth and cementing its reputation in the industry. “Lloyd has been here for so long and is so closely associated with TSA Riley,” Steve says. “I feel incredibly privileged to step into this role and continue to grow the legacy he’s built.”

One of the things Steve admires most about Lloyd? His uncanny ability to remember names, faces, and details about everyone he meets. “Anyone who’s worked with Lloyd knows about his photographic memory for names and faces,” Steve says. “He’s incredible at building strong relationships. That’s something I’ll carry forward—this business is built on people, and relationships are everything.”

And while his role with TSA Riley is changing, Lloyd isn’t going anywhere. He’ll continue to play a key role in the Queensland team, focusing on projects and deepening relationships with TSA Riley’s clients—exactly what he does best.

 

A leadership philosophy: people first

Much like Lloyd, Steve believes success is built on relationships—with clients, colleagues, and partners. When he started out in his career, projects were everything. “You want to work on bigger jobs, new sectors, and high-profile developments,” he says. “But at some point, you realise it’s not actually about the projects—it’s about the people.”

That shift in perspective shaped his entire leadership style. Early in his career, a manager gave him advice that stuck: “We’re called project managers, but we’re not. We’re really people managers. People manage and build the projects.” Steve took that to heart, knowing that great leadership isn’t just about technical expertise—it’s about building high-performing teams, empowering people, and strengthening relationships.

 

Top left: A great day on the water—Steve’s sons Matt and Ben reeling in some impressive catches.
Top middle: The art of relaxation—Australian style.
Top right: Connecting with clients and colleagues at TSA Riley’s annual Brisbane client event in 2024.
Bottom left: Exploring Wolfe Creek Crater, WA with his wife and two sons.
Bottom right: Part of the TSA Riley Brisbane dragon boating team—Steve insists they won because of him.
.

 

Queensland’s next chapter: growth, infrastructure, and legacy

With a growing team and a new leadership role, where does Steve see TSA Riley Queensland heading next? “The 2032 Brisbane Olympics is going to be a game changer,” he says. “Queensland is about to go through a massive transformation, and we’re already playing a big role.” TSA Riley has been heavily involved in the early stages of Olympic planning, delivering project validation reports and business cases for 3 minor venues. But that’s just the beginning. “When the venues are locked in, there’s going to be an explosion of transport and community infrastructure projects,” Steve explains. “We’ll be right in the middle of it, making sure these projects don’t just get built—but that they deliver real, lasting benefits for Queensland.”

And transport isn’t the only sector seeing major investment. “We’re working on the New Coomera Hospital, the accelerated infrastructure development programme, and rural and remote health projects,” Steve says. “The challenge isn’t just delivering these projects—it’s making sure they’re future-proofed so they keep meeting community needs for decades.” And that’s just a snapshot of what’s happening across TSA Riley’s Queensland team. With expertise across a wide range of sectors, they’re continuing to grow, adapt, and deliver for clients across the state.

 

Beyond the office

When it comes to family time, the Chaselings are happiest outdoors—whether it’s a camping trip, a weekend fishing, or heading back to the family farm, where Steve grew up. His brother now runs the farm, but they all still visit regularly.

Fishing is another big part of Steve’s life, and while he considers himself a great fisherman, his sons aren’t quite at his level. “My sons aren’t as good as I am, which is understandable,” he says. (Worth noting that one of Steve’s sons was in the room with him while we conducted this interview and definitely heard this comment.)

Away from projects and leadership meetings, Steve also has a lifelong passion for aviation (the same one that nearly took him down a completely different career path!). “I’ve actually got plans at home to build my own Wirraway,” he says, referring to the WWII-era Australian aircraft. “That’s my retirement project.”

And if he could master any skill instantly? “I’d love to be able to play a musical instrument—something more useful than the triangle. A guitar would be good.”

When asked about his favourite project, Steve doesn’t hesitate. “I’ve built hospitals, airports, and rail projects—but I’ve also built wineries,” he says. “And let’s be honest, those were the best. Every afternoon, I’d check in at the cellar door for ‘quality control.’ Much better perks than a ball-bearing factory!”

And because no Queensland interview is complete without a State of Origin question—where does Steve’s loyalty lie? “This is the easiest one so far,” he says. “Although I call Queensland home, it’s called State of Origin for a reason—so very dark Blue!”