BUDGET DELIVERS ON INFRASTRUCTURE
CCAA welcomes the 2018/19 Federal Budget's focus on infrastructure spending around Australia. This investment will be realised through the supply of heavy construction materials including sand, stone, gravel, cement and concrete.
"The formula is clear, strong investment in infrastructure improves the economy and creates more jobs" CCAA Chief Executive Officer Ken Slattery said.
The Budget has committed the Government to delivering $75 billion in nationally significant transport infrastructure projects over the next 10 years, including:
- $5 billion for construction of a rail link to the Melbourne Airport;
- $1.1 billion towards further components of Perth's METRONET program;
- $400 million to duplicate a section of the Port Botany Rail Line and construct the Cabramatta passing loop in Sydney;
- $390 million for the upgrade of the Beerburrum to Nambour Line on Queensland's Sunshine Coast;
- $300 million for the Brisbane Metro project; and
- $177 million for the North-South Corridor in Adelaide.
This investment follows strong infrastructure investment by many State Governments, and will increase the pressure to supply the materials to build these projects. Policies that enable efficient freight movements from quarries and concrete plants to infrastructure projects are required and critical to keeping costs down and completing projects on time.
"The Government's Budget estimates rely on the cost effective delivery of raw materials" Mr Slattery said.
"It is critical that all levels of government work together to support land use policies that ensure concrete plants and quarries are appropriately located, and transport policies that allow heavy vehicles to deliver these essential materials."