Steven Douglas Buffinton started his working career in 1964 with J S Watson and Associates – now WATSONS PTY LTD – carrying out engineering surveys mainly related to subdivisional works.

In 1970 he joined ABERFOYLE as a geological draftsman/engineering surveyor responsible for the preparation of plans and logging of exploratory bores for proposed mines all over Australia.

In 1971 Steven joined the Shire of Flinders as an engineering surveyor responsible for surveys related to the council’s engineering works. Later in 1975 after six months secondment to the Country Roads Board (now VicRoads) and further tertiary education at Moorabbin College of TAFE (where he gained a Certificate of Civil Engineering), Steven established the Shire of Flinders Materials Testing Laboratory becoming the second Municipality in Victoria to operate a laboratory registered with the National Association of Testing Authorities.

CIVILTEST PTY LTD was established in 1987 and took over the Shire of Flinders testing laboratory in its entirety.

Since 1975 Steven has taken part in research programs in conjunction with the Australian Road Research Board relating to pavement construction in the areas of residential street pavements, block pavement – both for light and heavy traffic applications, pavement rehabilitation and subsoil drainage. He was co-author on a paper reporting on a heavily-trafficked concrete block pavement in 1984 (ARRB AIR 363.5).

In 1995 Steven prepared a pavement design and construction supervision manual for the Shire of Cranbourne. In 1997 he undertook research into soil profiles in conjunction with the CSIRO throughout the Melbourne south-east growth region.

Now being the Managing Director for CIVILTEST PTY LTD, Steven is responsible for the company’s services, which is well known in its field by many statutory authorities (local and state) and a host of Melbourne’s well known engineering consultants.

Being a well known Geotechnical Practitioner with nearly 30 years experience Steven is often called upon as an expert witness in Geotechnical matters at VCAT, Magistrates Court, County Court and the Supreme Court.

As well as representing CIVILTEST PTY LTD as the company’s authorised representative with the National Association of Testing Authorities, Steven is also a member of the Australian Geomechanics Society, the International Society of Rock Mechanics, the Housing Industry Association and a founding member of the Footings and Foundation Society of Victoria.