Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia (CCAA) welcomes the NSW Government’s release of the Draft NSW Waste and Circular Infrastructure Plan and the recognition that Greater Sydney faces an imminent waste crisis if critical infrastructure isn’t built and barriers to resource recovery aren’t removed.
As the voice of Australia’s heavy construction materials industry, CCAA supports the Government’s goals to reduce landfill reliance, scale up organics recovery, and build the infrastructure needed for a more circular economy.
“If we’re going to meet the challenge of landfill shortfalls, we need a regulatory framework that recognises recycled materials as valuable resources—not waste liabilities,” said CCAA Chief Executive Officer Michael Kilgariff.
“CCAA members have long been at the forefront of circular practices, including the use of waste materials in the production of Clinker/Cement, and recovery and reuse of concrete, asphalt, excavated natural materials, and washout water. These materials are transformed into cement or recycled aggregates for use in road base, civil works, and even new concrete—keeping them out of landfill and supporting low-carbon construction.
“Despite this, outdated and inconsistent waste regulations continue to hold the industry back.
“Our industry is ready to invest in more sustainable infrastructure and materials, but the current NSW Resource Recovery Framework is overly complex, with a lack of clarity on when a material ceases to be ‘waste’ and becomes a usable product,” Mr Kilgariff said.
CCAA will encourage the NSW Government to adopt the following reforms:
- Clear Definitions of Resource Recovery – Recognise returned concrete, Excavated Natural Material (ENM), and Virgin Excavated Natural Material (VENM) as products, not waste, once they meet safety and quality benchmarks.
- Streamlined Approvals for Recycled Materials – Remove duplicative permit requirements and adopt nationally harmonised “end-of-waste” codes.
- Update Building and Transport Standards – Modernise Australian Standards (such as AS3972) and state road specifications to allow wider use of recycled, low-carbon materials.
- Introduce Fit-for-Purpose Performance Standards – Shift from prescriptive rules to performance-based specifications to encourage innovative, circular construction practices.
- Whole-of-Government Procurement and Incentives – Implement public procurement policies that prioritise recycled materials and provide financial incentives for sustainable infrastructure solutions.
“This is an opportunity for NSW to become a national leader in circular construction and waste innovation. But this will only be achieved through collaboration across government, industry, and the community—and through regulatory settings that reward rather than restrict circular economy practices.”