Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia (CCAA) says the 2026–27 Federal Budget highlights the importance of maintaining productive, efficient and resilient heavy construction materials supply chains to support Australia’s housing, infrastructure and energy ambitions.
The Budget includes major investments in transport infrastructure, housing-enabling infrastructure and broader productivity measures, alongside up to $11.9 billion over five years through the National Fuel Security Plan aimed at strengthening fuel resilience and supply chain security across the economy.
Recent Oxford Economics Australia analysis commissioned by CCAA found the cement, concrete and aggregates industry contributes $20.7 billion to GDP and supports 112,970 jobs nationally. The industry also enables Australia’s $175 billion construction sector and supports delivery of the nation’s $242 billion public infrastructure pipeline.
CCAA Chief Executive Officer Michael Kilgariff said the scale of planned investment across housing, transport and nationally significant infrastructure projects reinforced the critical role of heavy construction materials in Australia’s economy.
“Every road, rail line, bridge, tunnel, renewable energy project, industrial facility, school, hospital and housing development depends on reliable and affordable access to heavy construction materials,” Mr Kilgariff said.
“As governments continue to invest in infrastructure and housing, policy settings must support the efficient operation of the heavy construction materials sector and recognise its role as a critical industry at the very beginning of the construction supply chain.”
Mr Kilgariff said the Budget’s focus on productivity reform, infrastructure delivery and housing supply also created an opportunity to progress reforms that improve supply chain efficiency and project delivery.
“Unlocking housing supply and delivering major infrastructure projects requires more than funding commitments alone; it also depends on access to the materials, freight networks, industrial land and approvals systems needed to deliver projects efficiently and at scale,” he said.
“The movement of heavy construction materials is highly freight-intensive. Efficient freight systems, reliable heavy vehicle access and nationally consistent regulation are essential to keeping construction projects moving across the country.
“Recent fuel supply disruptions have also reinforced the importance of fuel security and resilient freight networks for industries that underpin Australia’s infrastructure and construction pipeline.”
CCAA’s 2026–27 Pre-Budget Submission outlined a range of practical reforms aimed at supporting freight efficiency, planning certainty, streamlined approvals and lower-carbon construction materials.
“Australia cannot deliver its housing, infrastructure and energy ambitions without secure, efficient and locally available supplies of cement, concrete and aggregates,” Mr Kilgariff said.
“We look forward to working with the Federal Government on practical reforms that improve freight efficiency, streamline approvals, protect access to strategic quarry resources and support long-term investment across the heavy construction materials sector.”