The Queensland State Budget’s unprecedented $107 billion investment over the next four years marks a significant commitment to enhancing the state’s infrastructure, housing, and renewable energy projects, according to Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia (CCAA).
CCAA the representative body for Australia’s heavy construction materials industry, has welcomed this record funding but stresses the importance of an integrated Construction Materials Plan to ensure the success of these ambitious projects.
CCAA members produce the majority of Australia’s cement, concrete, and aggregates, which are crucial to Australia’s building and construction sectors. These materials support the development of our nation’s transport, energy, water, housing, defence, and social infrastructure.
“CCAA applauds the unprecedented commitment to transport infrastructure, housing, and renewable energy in the Queensland budget. The prosperity of the state hinges on a sustainable pipeline of projects, reliable public infrastructure, and an affordable housing supply,” said CCAA CEO Michael Kilgariff.
“Ensuring a sustainable construction industry requires public procurement practices that reflect government policies on reducing emissions. Prioritising this alignment is vital to enabling the collaborative efforts necessary to achieve our collective net-zero goal.
“CCAA has also highlighted the urgent need for the government to accelerate the protection of local quarries and is advocating for the development of a comprehensive Heavy Construction Materials Plan covering cement, aggregates, sand, and concrete.
“This plan is critical in delivering an adequate supply of essential materials to the locations where they are needed.
“This highlights the critical need for an integrated Heavy Construction Materials Plan to facilitate the supply of essential construction materials for infrastructure, housing, and renewable energy projects.
“It remains imperative that the State government develop a plan to ensure the sustainable supply of construction materials, focused on timely delivery and aimed at making housing, renewable energy projects and infrastructure most affordable”, said Mr Kilgariff.
Major Queensland projects within the record $107 billion Big Build investment over the next four years that will require affordable access to heavy construction materials include:
• $27 billion in capital investment in 2024/2025 across transport, health, Olympics, housing, schools and renewal energy.
• $16.5 billion commitment to renewable energy and storage projects.
• Continuation of vital infrastructure projects, including: $4.18 billion for the Bruce Highway Upgrade; $3 billion for the Coomera Connector; $5.5 billion for the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail; and $1.2 billion for Stage 3 of the Gold Coast light rail.