The peak body representing Australia’s heavy construction materials industry, Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia (CCAA), has firmly endorsed the continued focus on building and infrastructure in the 2021 Budget handed down by Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick.
CCAA CEO Ken Slattery said the construction sector had helped successfully steer the State’s economy through the uncertainty of COVID19.
“It’s encouraging that the Palaszczuk Government recognises and remains committed to the central role the construction sector is playing in keeping Queenslanders working,” Mr Slattery said.
“In the context of continuing global uncertainty around COVID – including the progress of the global vaccine rollout – and ongoing geopolitical and trade tensions, both the State and Federal governments must remain focussed on supporting jobs and economic growth, as well as managing COVID19 in a proportionate and effective way.”
Key initiatives in the 2021 Queensland Budget include:
- $52.2 billion for infrastructure over four years;
- $1.9 billion over four years for social housing, amounting to 6,365 new homes;
- $913.7 million for 10 new schools (on top of those already planned) across South East Queensland by 2024; and
- $2 billion for a Hospital Building Fund to address growth pressure across the health system, in addition to already planned works.
CCAA State Director Queensland, Aaron Johnstone said while the spending announcements were ‘very welcome’, there was still work to be done by the Government to better support industry supply chains – particularly construction materials, where a clearer approvals pathway was needed for new and expanded operations to meet demand.
“This is especially true of quarries, which supply essential materials such as sand and aggregates for the construction of houses, roads, bridges, dams, schools, hospitals and other vital infrastructure,” Mr Johnstone said.
“As indicated by the Treasurer, Queensland is set to reap the economic gains from interstate migration and greater economic confidence, not to mention the Olympic Games should we be successful in securing them.
“It’s vital the State is geared-up to make the most of these opportunities.”