Heavy Construction Materials Critical to NSW Housing and Infrastructure Delivery
Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia
Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia (CCAA) has today released The Economic Contribution of the Cement Concrete and Aggregates Industry in Australia, highlighting the central role New South Wales’ heavy construction materials industry plays in delivering the state’s housing, transport and energy commitments.
The report shows that in FY24/25 the industry contributed $4.27 billion to New South Wales Gross State Product and supported 19,218 jobs across the state.
NSW is the largest state contributor to the nation’s cement, concrete and aggregates footprint, reflecting the scale of its construction activity and infrastructure pipeline.
The state is progressing major city-shaping projects including Sydney Metro West, the Western Harbour Tunnel and broader metro and road upgrades, alongside continued investment in renewable energy zones, transmission infrastructure and housing supply.
At the same time, NSW faces significant housing delivery targets to accommodate strong population growth and urban expansion across Greater Sydney and regional centres.
CCAA CEO Michael Kilgariff said delivering NSW’s housing and infrastructure ambitions will depend on secure and sustained supply of heavy construction materials.
“If construction materials supply is disrupted, whether through global shocks, fuel constraints or planning bottlenecks, the impacts are clear: delayed projects, rising costs and increased pressure on housing affordability,” Mr Kilgariff said.
“New South Wales’ infrastructure and housing pipeline relies on consistent, high-volume supply of cement, concrete and aggregates.
“The scale of construction underway in New South Wales means demand for these materials is substantial and ongoing.”
The report notes that infrastructure expansion, urban densification and energy transition projects are highly materials-intensive and increase pressure on quarry resources near metropolitan growth areas.
Mr Kilgariff said long-term planning to protect quarry resources and industrial land will be critical to keeping NSW’s pipeline on schedule.
“These materials are fundamental to delivering New South Wales’ housing and infrastructure commitments,” he said.
“When governments set ambitious transport and housing targets, they must also ensure the upstream supply chains that enable construction are properly planned and supported.”
“Recognising heavy construction materials as essential enabling infrastructure is key to sustaining NSW’s economic growth and productivity.”
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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]