The Cement Concrete and Aggregates Australia (CCAA) believes the construction materials sector will play a key role in supporting the vision outlined in the Queensland State Budget.
Key initiatives in the 2022 Queensland Budget include $59.13 billion over four years to 2025/26 to develop of infrastructure; $7.309 billion in capital expenditure allocated to transport infrastructure in 2022–23; and $441.3 million in 2022–23 for the delivery of new social homes and upgrades of existing dwellings for vulnerable Queenslanders.
$9.785 billion funding over six years will also be allocated to health care. This includes new hospitals in Toowoomba, Coomera, Bundaberg, as well as a new Queensland Cancer Centre, and expansions at 11 other hospitals across Queensland.
Four new schools are to open in 2025 as part of a $3 billion Building Future Schools Program.
The CCAA believes the construction materials sector will be a key partner in the delivery of these signature initiatives.
“This includes providing essential construction materials such as sand, stone, gravel, cement and concrete for the building of new hospitals in Toowoomba, Coomera, Bundaberg and the new Queensland Cancer Centre, and major expansions at another 11 hospitals across the State,” CCAA chief executive Ken Slattery said.
“In addition, such materials – which are sourced from local quarries, concrete plants, and cement facilities – will be used in the $7.3 billion for roads and transport infrastructure, the $3 billion Building Future Schools Program and the $441.3 million earmarked for social housing capital in 2022–23,” he added.
However, demand for additional social and economic infrastructure underlines the need for policy reforms across key sectors delivering these projects.
“The State’s Government continued focus on infrastructure is welcome, though highlights the need for improvements with quarry approvals, regulatory efficiency, supply chains, energy costs and skills and labour,” CCAA state director, Queensland Aaron Johnstone said.
“Like other sectors, our industry is currently facing enormous supply chain challenges –despite the increased materials’ demand from population growth and new infrastructure – a demand which will continue in the lead-up to the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics. More work is needed to get the policy settings right,” Johnstone said.
“The State has an exciting decade ahead, and its vital the State is geared-up to make the most of its opportunities.”