The peak body representing Australia’s heavy construction materials industry, Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia (CCAA), has welcomed the Queensland Government’s State Budget, whilst highlighting the need for policy reform to better manage delivery challenges for building and infrastructure.
CCAA CEO Ken Slattery said the industry would play a central role in the delivery of key Government initiatives to support the State’s growing population, decarbonisation, renewable energy and the 2032 Brisbane Olympics and Paralympics.
“The sector provides essential construction materials such as sand, stone, gravel and cement for projects such as the Coomera Connector, the raising of the Burdekin Falls Dam and $6 billion in funding to government-owned corporations, for priority infrastructure projects including energy, water and ports.” Mr Slattery said.
“In addition, such materials – which are sourced from local quarries, concrete plants and cement facilities – will be used in roads and transport infrastructure, the expansion of the health system, the Building Future Schools Program and the $1.1billion earmarked for social housing.”
Key initiatives in the 2023 Queensland Budget include:
• Infrastructure – $89 billion over 4 years
• Provision for $1.9 billion over 4 years to commence delivery of venues infrastructure for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games
• $19 billion total capital investment over 4 years to support the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan
• Expansion of health system capacity through $9.785 billion (over 6 years)
• $6.9 billion in 2023–24 towards integrated, safe and efficient transport infrastructure across the state
• $1.1 billion in increased funding to drive social housing delivery and supply, including to meet higher construction costs and to boost the QuickStarts Queensland program target by 500 homes, bringing it to 3,265 social housing commencements by 30 June 2025.
CCAA State Director Queensland, Aaron Johnstone said the Treasurer’s Big Build agenda again underlined the need for policy reform to ensure projects could be delivered in a cost effective and sustainable manner.
“The vision for infrastructure and social housing highlights the importance of the Government’s plans for a new Fit-for-Purpose Extractive Industry approval framework.” Mr Johnstone said.
“This new framework, included in the Government’s Resource Sector Industry Development Plan (Action 41), will help address cost and delivery challenges for housing and infrastructure, and lead to clearer processes for quarry protection and approvals, both in regional Queensland and other growing parts of the State.”
“It is an exciting, though challenging time for the State in the coming years, and our industry welcomes the opportunity to continue supporting its ambitions.”