Key Facts:
- CCAA releases Policy Priorities for South Australia 2026, identifying six key reform areas to secure construction materials supply and meet infrastructure needs
- The policy outlines reforms including supply planning, regulatory streamlining, sustainable procurement, circular economy advancement, logistics modernisation and workforce development
- Growing construction activity, including major projects like Torrens to Darlington and the Women's and Children's Hospital, is driving unprecedented demand for materials
- Heavy construction materials comprise nearly 30% of total project costs, with supply chain constraints directly impacting housing affordability and infrastructure costs
- The policy document has been distributed to SA political parties for feedback ahead of the 2026 SA Election
Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia (CCAA) has released its Policy Priorities for South Australia 2026, outlining the actions required to secure the State's future supply of essential heavy construction materials, ensuring South Australia can meet its housing, infrastructure and renewable energy ambitions.
CCAA CEO Michael Kilgariff said the document identifies six key areas for reform:
- establishing a South Australian Heavy Construction Materials Supply Plan;
- streamlining regulation and managing cost pressures;
- embedding sustainable procurement and decarbonisation;
- advancing circular economy and waste reforms;
- modernising freight and logistics infrastructure; and
- strengthening workforce development and community engagement.
"The need for action is underscored by the significant uplift in construction activity across the State, with major projects such as Torrens to Darlington and the new Women's and Children's Hospital driving unprecedented demand for essential materials, accompanied by strong investment in housing and renewable energy assets," Mr Kilgariff said.
"South Australia cannot build the homes, roads, rail, hospitals or renewable energy infrastructure it needs without a resilient, affordable and sustainable local materials supply chain.
"Protecting strategic quarry resources from urban encroachment, along with exploring ways to further modernise regulatory and specification settings, will enable government and industry to foster innovation and further advance the use of lower-carbon materials.
"The priorities outlined by CCAA provide government with a clear, practical pathway to avoid looming shortages and ensure major projects can be delivered on time and within budget.
"Securing local materials supply is one of the most important economic decisions South Australia can make over the next decade."
Mr Kilgariff said the reforms outlined in the policy priorities will strengthen South Australia's ability to deliver high-quality, affordable and sustainable infrastructure.
"Heavy construction materials make up nearly 30 per cent of total project costs. When the supply chain is constrained, it directly affects the affordability of new homes, the cost of infrastructure delivery, and competitiveness as an investment destination," he said.
"By implementing these reforms now, South Australia can protect jobs, deliver more affordable housing, accelerate decarbonisation and position itself as a leader in sustainable construction."
The document has been provided to all SA political parties, with CCAA inviting feedback and comment ahead of the 2026 SA Election as part of ongoing engagement with stakeholders across the political spectrum.
About us:
About CCAA CCAA is the voice of Australia's heavy construction materials industry, an industry that generates over $15 billion annually and directly employs 30,000 Australians, with a further 80,000 employed indirectly. CCAA members produce most of Australia's cement, concrete, and aggregates, which are essential to the nation's building and construction sectors.
