Hepburn Shire Council has joined the new Victorian Government’s Women Building Surveyors Program, designed to help address the gender imbalance in the industry.

Recently announced by Minister for Local Government, Shaun Leane, Hepburn Shire Council is one of 40 Victorian councils included in the new program. The program seeks to fill a skills shortage and drive stimulus projects by supporting 40 women to train as municipal building surveyors.

Hepburn Shire Council’s Interim CEO, Bradley Thomas, said Council’s Robyn Hartmann, currently employed as a Building Administration Support Officer will participate in the program, which will see her complete a Bachelor of Building Surveying and gain work experience in the field with Council.

Robyn Hartmann

Robyn will also have access to professional development events and opportunities through LGPro, the member association for people working in Local Government in Victoria.

The $150,000 in funding provided through the program will  fund Robyn’s studies and backfill her role during times of study leave.

“For Robyn to take the experience she has gained in her administrative role and to be able to develop that to become a qualified building surveyor is a brilliant thing for not only Robyn, but for Council as well,” said Mr Thomas.

Municipal building surveyors play an important role at councils, ensuring buildings and works are compliant with relevant building regulations and codes and safe to use.

Hepburn Shire Council Mayor Cr Lesley Hewitt welcomed the Victorian Government’s announcement and the benefits it will bring to Hepburn Shire Council and the community.

“This new Women Building Surveyors Program is an exciting opportunity for Robyn and for Council. Any program that tackles gender inequality in the building sector has our full support.

“With Robyn receiving this additional training and professional development to progress her career in building surveying, we can boost our capacity to deal with and process building investigations and enquiries.”

Robyn said she is excited to see greater female representation in the building surveying industry.

“I have been part of the Building team for nine years and know the importance of the work we undertake.

“This opportunity to gain training and qualifications, to be able to step up and become a Municipal Building Surveyor, is a wonderful opportunity and I can’t wait to get started.”