the plancost team

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