The NSW Government’s recent draft ‘metropolitan strategy for Sydney to 2031’ is in danger of becoming the ‘Sydney 2051’ strategy due to the severe skills shortage of surveyors.
The Government’s plans to build around 545,000 new homes and improve Sydney’s transport, schools and health services are at risk of being directly impacted by the expected deficit of 1,500 skilled surveyors by 2019.
The Australian urban sector will face a 10% drop in qualified surveyors in three years according to the BIS Shrapnel study, published by Consulting Surveyors National. The study identifies an acute shortage of surveyors, and geospatial professionals over the next twenty years, with potentially disastrous ramifications for the development, construction, utilities, transport and mining sectors.
Consulting Surveyors National Chairman, Phil Dingeldei, said that this continued demand for skilled surveying professionals will have long term ramifications and will slow down Sydney’s future industry and infrastructure goals, including those outlined in the draft metropolitan strategy.
“Surveyors are the silent workhorse of the Australian economy: a strategically critical industry comprised of highly skilled professionals working on projects essential to national development,” Mr. Dingeldei said. “There is barely a road, railway, airport, dam, pipeline, utility service, building, mine, industrial plant or property development that does not rely on the contribution of surveyors.”
“A key part of having a blueprint for urban development for Sydney and NSW is in knowing the barriers and risks to these commitments. A lack of professional surveyors could introduce a three year delay to meeting project milestones, as their numbers are spread thin to meet the demands of these projects and particularly with the training and education pipeline for graduates and mid-level professionals in seriously limited supply.”
Mr. Dingeldei said that the construction sector needs to make itself aware of the issue and encourage supported learning opportunities and cadetships.
