Chris Nielsen
Engineers Australia - Queensland Division Past President 2017
NIELSEN, Chris
FIEAust CPEng EngExec NER APEC Engineer IntPE RPEQ GAICD
EDUCATION and Awards
BE(Civil), Hons 1A, James Cook University, 1990
MEngSc (Research), University of Queensland, 2000
Graduate Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD), 2021
CAREER
Graduating from JCU in Townsville in 1990 Chris began his career in the UK with WS Atkins, where he developed his keen interest in water modelling that shaped his career for the next two decades. On his return to Australia in 1994, he joined WBM as a project engineer specialising in coastal and shoreline management, estuarine environments and floodplain management. A research degree on the application of numerical modelling to coastal and estuarine environments established his specialisation in modelling.
In 2001 Chris relocated to DHI Denmark where he developed water modelling tools and applied them to a range of international projects in USA, Africa and Asia. He moved to DHI Malaysia in 2003 to establish a regional water resource capability across emerging economies in South-East Asia. Returning to Australia in 2009, he maintained strong international links as a business development manager for BMT, supporting port and offshore initiatives in India and Indonesia, water resource and flood investigations in South-East Asia and Pacific, and software development in USA and UK. From 2014 to 2017, he returned to DHI to focus on local technical projects, including the development of operational support systems for river irrigation and CSG wastewater management.
2017 marked a career shift into the public service as Queensland’s dam safety regulator, overseeing dam safety management practices, setting regulatory and technical standards, driving reforms, building industry capacity and providing emergency and technical advice during significant weather and dam safety incidents. In late 2025 appointed as Chief Engineer of the Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers, where he provides strategic engineering assurance and support to water infrastructure projects across Queensland.
Chris has served continuously in volunteer roles with Engineers Australia since 2012.
. A member of the Queensland Division Committee from 2012 to 2021, including President 2017
. A member and Chair of the Civil College Board, National Congress member
. Contributed to several key national industry publications including Australian Rainfall and Runoff and the ANCOLD dam safety management guidelines
. Continues to advance industry best practice through technical publications and active participation in professional industry groups.
Presidents Highlights 2017
• Advocated for and raised the profile of engineers, engagement activities, policy papers, reskilling of the public sector and construction industry engagement
• Celebrating the profession, with dedicated events for FIEAust members, support for EA events
• Rebuilding engagement of the young engineers and women in engineering groups in Queensland
• Strengthening of regional and technical advisory committees, and information transfer
• Engagement on climate change continued to build momentum and exposure
• Queensland started monitoring social media engagement
A President’s challenge; do your best in the time you have, finish better than when you started, and handover to the next person to continue the good work.
Sources:
Biography supplied by Chris Nielsen 2025
