The future uplift in demand for concrete, cement and aggregates in Queensland for the delivery of major projects depends on co-ordinated access to essential heavy construction materials, CCAA says.
The recent state Budget handed down record funding for a $116.8 billion infrastructure program focused on the 2032 Olympics, housing, and major transport, road, rail, and water infrastructure along with education and healthcare projects.
Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia CEO Michael Kilgariff said the Queensland Budget effectively sets in motion a “once-in-a-generation wave of major project delivery,” describing it as “deeply materials-intensive”. However, he says the delivery of these projects will hinge on coordinated access to essential heavy construction material inputs.
“That includes efficient quarry approvals, high-productivity freight routes, operating conditions that enable just-in-time delivery of material to sites, and workforce attraction and retention strategies across all segments of the construction supply chain,” Mr Kilgariff explained.
As a result, industry is preparing to meet sustained demand for concrete, cement and quarry materials over the next decade. Mr Kilgariff cited Infrastructure Australia 2023 and 2024 Market Capacity Reports that highlighted the demand for quarry products, concrete and bitumen in south-east Queensland which are expected to outstrip available supply, “leading to cost escalations, project delays and delivery bottlenecks”.
“The report called for early engagement with materials suppliers and more proactive planning across governments to secure long-term access to extractive resources and mitigate the impact of global supply chain volatility and domestic regulatory constraints,” he said.
Mr Kilgariff called on the Queensland Government to engage with CCAA to prioritise productivity and planning reforms of the state’s essential heavy construction materials industry, warning, “if this extremely ambitious infrastructure plan is going to succeed”.
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