the plancost team
Our team is full of bright curious minds, inspired to make a positive difference
PlanCost Australia was established in 1999 by Steve Grimes. Since this time, the business has built a highly skilled and experienced team of cost planning consultants lead by Simon Grimes, Managing Director.

Simon Grimes – Managing Director
Simon has been with PlanCost for 16 years and took up the helm as Managing Director in the start of 2018. Simon’s broad and extensive quantity surveying experience is uniquely enhanced by his engineering knowledge, which combines excellence in technical knowledge and creative problem solving.
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Engineering 2008 (Electronics & Computer Systems) (First Class Honours) – Swinburne University of Technology
Professional Associations:
Affiliate member of the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors
Professional Experience:
Appointed Managing director in 2018
Appointed Director of PlanCost Australia in 2010
Commenced work at PlanCost Australia in 2005
Holly Phillips – Associate Quantity Surveyor
Holly’s substantial base of experience, depth of knowledge and skills is evidenced in the quality of her work and the valuable mentoring she provides our team. Holly has been with PlanCost for 9 years and has a First-Class Honours from RMIT in Construction Management.
Qualifications:
Diploma of Building & Construction 2014 – Swinburne University
Bachelor of Applied Science 2017 (Construction Mgt) (First Class Honours) RMIT
Registered Building Practitioner QS-63 954
Professional Associations
Member of the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors
Professional Experience:
Joined the PlanCost team in 2013.
Mathew Hinkley – Associate Quantity Surveyor
Mat brings strong technical skills and problem-solving flair, along with in-depth construction industry knowledge and experience, to the team. He has been with PlanCost for 7 years and has a First-Class Honours from RMIT in Construction Management.
Qualifications:
Diploma of Building & Construction 2014 – RMIT
Bachelor of Applied Science 2017 (Construction Mgt) (First Class Honours) – RMIT
Registered Building Practitioner QS-63 940
Professional Associations
Member of the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors
Professional Experience:
Joined the PlanCost team in 2015.
Lyn Chu – Senior Quantity Surveyor
Lyn’s broad experience includes education, residential, commercial and health care, her projects benefit from her strong cost planning and construction cost management skills. She brings her ‘can-do’ attitude to her work and is a strong contributor to her project teams.
Qualifications:
Master of Construction Management 2013 – University of Melbourne
Bachelor of Civil Engineering 2007 – Shanghai University, China
Professional Associations:
Certified Member of the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors
Professional Experience:
Joined the PlanCost team in 2021
Mitchell Brandtman 2018-2021
ATR Building Consulting 2016-2018
Charter Keck Cramer 2013-2016
Shanghai Construction No 4 (Group) 2007-2010

Sudath Abaya – Senior Quantity Surveyor
Sudath has a solution focused approach to his work which, together with his strong commercial skills and technical know-how, makes him a versatile addition to our team. He has broad and extensive experience both in the Victorian construction sector and internationally.
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Science (Quantity Surveying), 1994-1998 University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
Professional Associations:
Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
Professional Experience:
Joined the PlanCost team in 2021
M P Cordia & Associates 2016-2021
Damac properties Pty. Ltd, Dubai, U.A.E 2011-2016
Andrew Lu – Senior Quantity Surveyor
Andrew’s experience and skills, across all aspects of quantity surveying and cost management, are enhanced by his optimistic attitude and problem-solving capabilities. His broad experience in commercial, residential and government sectors make him a valued member of our team.
Qualifications:
Master of Construction Management (Honours) 2016-2018 The University of Melbourne
Master of Philosophy 2013 -2016 Capital Normal University, Beijing
Bachelor of Construction Management 2005-2009 Dongbei University of Finance & Economics
Professional Associations:
Member of the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors
Professional Experience:
Joined PlanCost team in 2020
RBB – Melbourne 2019-2020
Slattery Australia 2018-2019


Ryan Niu – Senior Quantity Surveyor
Ryan brings over thirteen years’ experience to his project teams, drawing on experience gained in project management, cost & contract management, as well as quantity surveying. He brings strong attention to detail, goal focus and creative thinking to his project work.
Qualifications:
Master of Construction Mngt. 2018 – The University of Melbourne
Advanced Diploma, Language Interpretation and Translation
Bachelor of Environmental Engineering 2004 – Hohai University China
Professional Associations:
Certified Member of the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors
Professional Experience:
Joined PlanCost team in 2021
Mitchell Brandtman 2019-2020
China Overseas Property Group 2010-2015


Patrick Louey – Senior Quantity Surveyor
Patrick brings to our team valuable experience, having contributed to projects across a broad range of sectors, including specialist care facilities, education, public infrastructure, sporting facilities, civil, and commercial and residential developments. Patrick’s commitment is reflected in his active involvement in the AIQS Victorian Chapter Council & Victorian YQS Committee.
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Applied Science (Construction Management – Honours), RMIT University
Professional Associations:
Member of the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors
Professional Experience:
Joined the PlanCost team in 2022
Prowse Quantity Surveyors 2018-2021
Danni Li – Quantity Surveyor
Danni joined our team as a high achiever graduate and has since proven herself to be a skilled and valued member of our Quantity Surveying team. Her bright mind, and willingness to take on challenges, enables her to make a difference to all her projects.
Qualifications:
Master of Construction Management 2019 – University of Melbourne
Bachelor of Math and Economics 2016 – Boston University
Certified Translator English to Chinese 2017- National Accreditation Authority
Professional Associations:
Member of the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors
Professional Experience:
Joined the PlanCost team in 2020


Milane Balasingam – Quantity Surveyor
Milane has extensive end-to-end quantity surveying experience, including many high-profile, large-scale projects. Her strong understanding of construction methodology and professional commitment to efficiently and effectively her projects make her a valuable addition to our team.
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Science (Quantity Surveying) – 2014 University of Salford, Great Manchester, UK
Professional Associations:
Certified Member of the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors
Member of Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors
Professional Experience:
Grand Central Contracting Company 2018 – 2020
GTCC, Drake & Scull International PJSC 2017 – 2018
Bhatia General Contracting LLC 2015 – 2017
Q Serve (PVT)LTD. 2013 – 2015


Kris Liu – Quantity Surveyor
Kris brings to our team extensive estimating experience in the residential and specialist building materials sectors, which is built on strong academic foundations. He is a cooperative, problem solver, with high attention to detail which is enhanced by his passion for the construction industry.
Qualifications:
Master of Engineering (Civil and structural),2017, University of Melbourne
Bachelor of Environment, 2015, University of Melbourne
Building and Construction Certificate IV 2016, Ashley Institute TAFE
Professional Associations:
Member of the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors
Professional Experience:
Joined the PlanCost team in 2022
USG Boral Australia 2020-2022
8CON Construction 201-2019

Akhilesh Goorwappa – Graduate Quantity Surveyor
After an impressive term as Cadet with PlanCost, Akhilesh has taken on a Graduate QS role, having recently completed his studies. He has quickly become a valuable asset on the project teams he contributes to.
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Construction Management & Economics (2021) • Holmesglen Institute
Peter Grundy Scholarship Recipient (2020) • Holmesglen Institute
Professional Associations:
Student Member of the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors
Student Member of the Australian Institute of Building
Student Member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors
Professional Experience:
Joined the PlanCost team in 2021
John Holland Virtual internship Program 2020

Tirth Bhavsar – Graduate Quantity Surveyor
Tirth has recently completed a Master of Construction Management, building on his skills and experience in civil engineering and estimating. His strong technical skills and professional approach greatly benefit our team.
Qualifications:
Master of Construction Management (Professional), 2021 Deakin University
Bachelor of Civil Engineering, 2019, Gujarat Technological University, India
Professional Associations:
Student Member of the Australian Institute of Building (AIB)
Professional Experience:
Joined PlanCost team in 2022
Staircase Constructions – Estimator 2021-2022
Safal Group – 2019-2020
Ray Gao – Quantity Surveyor
Ray is a recent recruit, bringing to Plancost excellent skills and experience across a broad range of construction projects.
Qualifications:
Master of Construction Management 2020 – Deakin University
Professional Experience:
Joined the PlanCost team in 2022
Harshil Gorasia – Quantity Surveyor
Harshil is our most recent recruit, bringing to Plancost excellent skills and experience across a broad range of construction projects across Australia and New Zealand.
Qualifications:
Master of Construction & Infrastructure Management 2021 – Swinburne University of Technology
Professional Experience:
Joined the PlanCost team in 2023

…and keeping things running smoothly are our
Office Managers:
Katrina Jack
Julie Jobson