Federal Budget Highlights Importance of Heavy Construction Materials Sector
Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia
Key Facts:- The 2026-27 Federal Budget includes major investments in transport infrastructure and housing, with $11.9 billion allocated to the National Fuel Security Plan
- The cement, concrete and aggregates industry contributes $20.7 billion to GDP and supports 112,970 jobs nationally, enabling Australia's $175 billion construction sector
- Heavy construction materials are critical foundation materials for all infrastructure projects, from roads and bridges to renewable energy facilities and housing developments
- Efficient freight systems, reliable heavy vehicle access and consistent national regulation are essential for construction project delivery
- CCAA seeks reforms to improve freight efficiency, streamline approvals, protect quarry resources and support investment in the construction materials sector
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.
“Cement, concrete and aggregates are the foundation materials of Australia’s built environment,” Mr Kilgariff said.
“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.
“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.”
About us:
About CCAA
CCAA is the voice of Australia’s heavy construction materials industry, an industry that contributes $20.7 billion to GDP and supports 112,970 jobs nationwide. CCAA members produce most of Australia's cement, concrete and aggregates, which are essential to the nation’s building and construction sectors.
Contact details:
Contact: Mitch Itter, Manager Communications | 0431 542 660 | [email protected]