Cement Concrete and Aggregates Australia (CCAA) is urging the Federal Government to use the 2026-27 Federal Budget to set a clear direction on supply chain resilience, productivity reform and fuel security.
In its Pre-Budget Submission, CCAA outlined how Australia’s housing and infrastructure ambitions depend on the sector which underpins the nation’s construction pipeline.
While the heavy construction materials sector is the starting point of Australia’s built environment, it is increasingly constrained by regulatory inefficiencies, planning barriers and growing global uncertainty.
CCAA CEO, Michael Kilgariff, said the Budget must make clear the importance of ensuring reliable, continuous and affordable supply of construction materials across the economy.
“The heavy construction materials sector underpins every housing, infrastructure and energy project in Australia,” he said.
“Without it, those projects simply don’t proceed.
“Getting the settings right across freight, planning and approvals is what enables the efficient, timely and cost-effective supply of construction materials.”
Kilgariff said global uncertainty and tightening fuel conditions are increasing pressure on the systems that support construction delivery.
“Our industry operates in real time across production, transport and delivery, and is highly exposed to global supply chain pressures,” he said.
“When those pressures build, from fuel constraints to international disruption, the impacts are immediate across costs, timelines and project delivery.”
CCAA is calling on the Australian Government to prioritise reforms that strengthen the productivity and resilience of the construction materials supply chain.
“Productivity gains in this sector come from better policy settings, including faster approvals, more consistent planning frameworks and more efficient freight networks,” Kilgariff said.
“These are the levers that reduce costs, improve efficiency and support the delivery of national infrastructure and housing priorities.”
The organisation also reiterated its call for the heavy construction materials sector to be formally recognised as essential within national policy frameworks, including fuel security planning.
“This is the sector that sits at the very start of the construction supply chain,” Kilgariff said.
“Ensuring the heavy construction materials sector is recognised and prioritised is fundamental to keeping Australia building.”
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