Earthbuilt and Finlease: Building an environmental legacy | Ray Chan EEM

At Finlease, the deals we’re proudest of aren’t the ones that close quickly – they’re the ones that keep going. We specialise in working alongside businesses over the long term, understanding where they’re headed and structuring finance that supports real growth, not just the next purchase. Earthbuilt Environmental is a great example of what that looks like in practice.

When David Griffith started Earthbuilt Environmental from his Castle Hill base in New South Wales, he had a vision that went beyond traditional landscaping.

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He was driven by a commitment to change the world through landscapes, and a culture built on “being kind, honest and awesome”.

Today, that vision has materialised into a 45-strong team operating across four specialist divisions – environmental consulting, construction, commercial maintenance, and bush regeneration – capable of managing projects from initial planning through to long-term environmental stewardship.

“We wanted to build a business that other companies look to as an example of environmental, safety and financial management, with a focus on employee wellbeing that redefines what it means to be looked after by the company you work for,” David said.

The results speak for themselves. Earthbuilt has been nominated alongside five other businesses as one of Australia’s fastest-growing companies, ultimately finishing second only to a technology firm.

“Being pipped at the post by a tech company was actually inspiring and motivating for us,” David said “It showed we could compete at that level while staying true to our environmental principles.”

David Griffith was driven by a commitment to change the world through landscapes.

Strategic growth through capability

A key driver of Earthbuilt’s expansion has been the strategic decision to bring capabilities in-house by building its own machinery fleet.

“We were watching profit margins flow to subcontracted machinery businesses,” David said.

“So we led an investment program across earthmoving, materials handling, water cart operations, hydro-mulching capacity, and specialised maintenance equipment including technical slashers and mowers.”

This capability uplift has enabled Earthbuilt to win and deliver increasingly complex projects – from securing their first project as head contractor for a developer, to being appointed lead environmental consultant on one of Western Sydney’s largest housing developments currently under construction, to delivering a retirement village project encompassing both landscape and civil scope.

Environmental consultancy: the scientific edge

While construction and maintenance form Earthbuilt’s operational backbone, it’s the environmental consultancy division that sets the company apart in a competitive market.

Led by Principal Ecologist Jamie Whitehouse – who brings 15 years of environmental consulting experience across Australia, Asia, and the Middle East – the consultancy provides the scientific rigour that underpins all of Earthbuilt’s work.

The consultancy’s expertise spans flora and fauna assessments, landscape-scale ecosystem evaluation, urban ecology, and deep working knowledge of key environmental legislation, including the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, and the Commonwealth EPBC Act 1999.

This capability allows Earthbuilt to offer comprehensive services from development support through to ongoing compliance monitoring – including environmental management plans, vegetation management plans, bushland management plans, BAM assessments, pre-clearance surveys, construction-phase monitoring, and specialised services like fauna management and species translocation.

“Having that consultancy expertise in-house means we can design projects properly from the start,” David said.

“We’re not just executing someone else’s environmental plan – we’re creating it based on solid ecological science, then delivering it through our construction and management divisions.”

Sustainability in practice

Environmental responsibility isn’t just Earthbuilt’s business model – it’s embedded in operations through an internal program called ‘The Splat’.

“Splat focuses on making sure our team prioritises efficient and environmentally responsible work practices at every step of the construction journey,” David said.

“We take genuine pride in our commitment to sustainability.”

Behind the scenes, Earthbuilt has invested heavily in systems and governance to ensure growth remains sustainable. This includes implementing Jonas Premier financial software, obtaining third-party ISO accreditation across safety, quality and environment, and building an internal training program supported by a fractional HR management team.

“Our vision is ambitious,” David said. “Every day provides an opportunity to learn and refine our systems and processes”

Financing growth outside the banking box

Transitioning from small operator to large-scale environmental business required significant capital investment, particularly in specialist equipment.

When traditional banks declined finance applications because Earthbuilt didn’t fit their standard criteria, David approached Finlease and started working with equipment finance broker Brady Talbot.

What started as a transaction has developed into a long-term partnership that has helped maintain momentum without being constrained by conventional lending criteria.

“Finlease were instrumental in helping us navigate asset finance while experiencing exponential growth,” David said.

“Brady took the time to understand our numbers, searched the market for solutions that fit our business model, and helped lock down a strategy to maintain our growth path.”

“I don’t think we’d be in the same position if we hadn’t gone to Finlease.”

Looking forward

As Earthbuilt continues expanding its environmental consulting, construction, and management capabilities, the company remains focused on its founding ethos.

“We’re building something that demonstrates you can grow a successful business while genuinely prioritising environmental outcomes and employee well-being,” David said.

“Every project we deliver, whether it’s a major housing development or a bush regeneration program, is another step toward changing the world through landscapes.”

For more information about Earthbuilt Environmental’s services, visit www.earthbuilt.au

If you’re building something that doesn’t fit the standard banking mould, we’d like to hear about it. Talk to a Finlease broker about how we can support your next stage of growth.

Authored by Ray Chan and published May 6, 2026 in Earthmoving Equipment Magazine.