Women leading the way on the new $910 million Rouse Hill Hospital project

International Women’s Day honours the achievements of women across all aspects of life: social, economic, cultural, and political, while also advocating for gender equality.

It also offers an opportunity to reflect on the contributions of women in the construction industry, in a traditionally male-dominated field.

As we approach International Women’s Day we highlight female participation by the builders for early works on the Rouse Hill Hospital project.

The builder Lendlease’s project team is made up of 38 per cent of women. Of those roles, 27 per cent are women in non-traditional roles such as technical and construction site-based jobs.

Rumbidzai ‘Rumbi’ Banda is one of the many talented women on the Rouse Hill Hospital project working in a technical role. As a senior project engineer, she oversees a large team of engineers onsite.

We spoke to Rumbi, who has worked for 18 years in the industry, to find out more about how she got into working on hospital development projects. She also shares some of the challenges and advice she would give to other women looking to join the industry.  

What is your involvement on the Rouse Hill Hospital project?

As a senior project engineer, I’m responsible for working with our delivery partners during project delivery. My responsibility is to manage a team of engineers and work with a variety of stakeholders such as the site manager, supervisors and our subcontractors to ensure the build progresses safely, efficiently and on time.

How did you get into this role, particularly in hospital development projects?

I completed a combined degree in Civil Engineering and Finance because I wasn’t entirely sure which discipline I wanted to pursue. An internship at a local council introduced me to engineering work, which led to a permanent role.

My first project roles were as a project programmer on the Royal North Shore Hospital - Acute Services Building and car park, followed by the Northern Beaches Hospital.  

In between, I worked for another contractor on a Health Infrastructure community hospital and aged-care facility. Along the way, I have gained experience outside of health including working on schools, an aquatic centre, and more recently, on the One Sydney Harbour project building which is a high-end residential development.

Did you see yourself working in this industry when you were younger?

Not specifically, but I always imagined myself solving problems and construction absolutely allows me to do that.

What are the main challenges you’ve faced in the industry?

Maintaining a healthy work–life balance can be difficult. I am excited to be part of the Rouse Hill Hospital project as we have committed to a 5-day per week construction program which better supports the health and wellbeing of our team and our subcontractors, without any measurable loss in overall project productivity.  

Additionally, construction brings together a diverse mix of people, different backgrounds, capabilities, and communication styles. Learning to adapt to each person is a challenging, but rewarding, part of the job and helps me continue to grow.

What advice would you give to women considering a career in this industry?

You’ll enjoy it far more than you might expect. Construction lets you contribute meaningfully to society. To know you played a part in building an important part of community infrastructure is a great feeling. Many women underestimate the range and variety of roles available, there truly is a place for everyone.