General News
19 October, 2024
Pilot surveys building ticks
THE shortage of local government building surveyors in Victoria will be tackled by a new pilot program aiming to speed up building and planning approvals. Loddon Shire has spent more than 12 months trying to find a person for its vacant full-time...
THE shortage of local government building surveyors in Victoria will be tackled by a new pilot program aiming to speed up building and planning approvals.
Loddon Shire has spent more than 12 months trying to find a person for its vacant full-time position.
Council leaders have told meetings that development and compliance manager Glenn Harvey, a qualified municipal building surveyor, had “the day saved” doubling up his roles.
Loddon Shire on Monday was announced a part of the $200,000 State Government’s trial to establish a building surveyor hub.
The project will be led by Yarriambiack Shire Council and also include Buloke and Hindmarsh Shires and Swan Hill Rural City Council.
The Government said: “The project will be delivered in three phases. It will first identify the challenges and opportunities around sharing surveying services between councils, before establishing a shared service hub to support the participating councils with more cost-effective access to surveying services.
“The hub will provide a municipal building surveyor service that can be engaged in a shared manner by all five local councils, instead of councils needing to engage individual services. The third phase will evaluate the program and lead to recommendations that can potentially be replicated across other regional councils.”
The feasibility study will run until early 2026, and the outcomes shared with all rural and regional councils, so other regions can consider setting up their own hubs to speed up approvals.
Regional Development Minister Gayle Tierney said: “This initiative will make it easier for regional councils to access the building surveyor services they need, helping to fast-track property development in communities like the Wimmera and Mallee.”
“We’re proud to work with Rural Councils Victoria to back innovative ideas such as shared services, supporting rural communities to deliver the housing and infrastructure essential for their economic growth.”
Rural Councils Victoria chair Mary-Anne Brown said: “Rural communities are in desperate need of more housing and this trial will assist in addressing the housing challenges faced by these rural communities
“It is pleasing to see that government has taken the RCV Rural Housing Action Plan into consideration.”