Young Mackay Leader Takes Safety Sector By Storm

With Dual RIN Nominations

At just 24 years old, Mackay’s Tristan Turnbull is redefining chemical safety and compliance in the resource industry, and the country is taking notice. His innovative leadership has earned him not one but two nominations in the 2025 Resource Industry Network (RIN) Awards: Expansion into New Markets and Standing Out from the Crowd.

Tristan spearheads ALT Industries, with his father and business partner John Turnbull, a specialist provider of hazardous goods management, spill response, and chemical compliance solutions. He’s bridging the knowledge and service gap for local businesses, and doing so with global precision.

“He’s only 24 and already leading the charge in an area no one else was touching,” John says.

“He’s created a service that’s now being recognised nationally and internationally.”

Tristan’s journey began humbly, helping with weekend data entry. But his flair for systems and real-world problem-solving rapidly transformed ALT Industries. Today, they support clients across ports, schools, mines, and even overseas in New Zealand, with Great Britain now expressing interest.

“We’re in correspondence with Great Britain… they’ve asked Tristan if he’d be interested in helping them develop what he’s built here,” John says.

Still, regional support remains at the core of his mission.

“People often think they need to fly someone in from the bigger cities… But they don’t realise we’re right here in Mackay,” Tristan says.

“We want to be a one-stop solution. Not a company that yells loud but can’t deliver.”

ALT Industries’ services extend beyond consulting. The team conducts full-site hazardous goods audits, manages digital SDS platforms like Chemwatch, coordinates chemical registers, and delivers hands-on spill kit maintenance. But what sets them apart is their commitment to stay on-site, provide training, and support their clients every step of the way.

“We don’t just give you a report and wish you good luck. We stay on site, train your team, and help implement the changes,” says John.

“We're not here to judge – we’re here to help, and guide our clients every step of the way.”

This people-first approach is filling a void in the safety sector. Many clients are under-resourced, often inheriting chemical management responsibilities without training or support.

“There’s so much anxiety from staff who’ve inherited these roles without the right training.

“We’re here to reduce that fear,” John says.

With plans to launch accredited training and advanced digital tools in future, the father-son team is committed to making chemical safety an accessible, confident practice.

And they’re doing it the right way.

“We’re building all the tools first, so that when we go to market or go global, we’re ready. If we’re going to be recognised specialists, we need to have everything in place and do it right.”

Backed by industry heavyweights like Anglo, Glencore, and Fitzroy, Tristan Turnbull is not just standing out, he’s leading the way.

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