Key Facts:
- Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia (CCAA) has been invited to join Queensland's new Quarry Supply Chain Taskforce, established by the State Government to address emerging construction materials supply challenges following sustained advocacy and independent research by the association.
- CCAA-commissioned research from Oxford Economics forecasts peak annual hard rock demand in South East Queensland of 28-30 million tonnes between 2027 and 2029, potentially exceeding approved annual production limits by up to 6.2 million tonnes.
- Nine quarry proposals across Queensland have been refused, withdrawn, significantly delayed or subject to prolonged litigation, representing approximately 12 million tonnes of potential annual production capacity that remains unrealised.
- Oxford Economics modelling found that sourcing construction materials from 190 km away rather than local Sunshine Coast quarries could add between $305 million and $397 million in freight costs for a single TMR five-year infrastructure programme.
- CCAA is calling for immediate measures including streamlined approvals for brownfield quarry expansions, access to alternative sand extraction channels, improved heavy vehicle mass concessions, and longer-term planning reforms to support new greenfield quarries and protect supply routes.
Sustained advocacy, independent research and extensive engagement with government and industry by Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia (CCAA) have helped bring Queensland's emerging construction materials supply challenges into focus, with the State Government establishing a Quarry Supply Chain Taskforce to examine solutions.
CCAA has been invited to participate in the Taskforce, with Queensland State Director and Director of Industry Policy David Rynne representing the association. Supported by the Resources Cabinet Committee and chaired by the Office of the Coordinator-General, the Taskforce follows extensive work by CCAA, including commissioning independent research from Oxford Economics, working with the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) to identify geographic supply pressures, and engaging directly with Ministers, government departments and industry stakeholders.
CCAA-commissioned research forecasts peak annual hard rock demand in South East Queensland of 28-30 million tonnes between 2027 and 2029, exceeding existing approved annual production limits of approximately 23.8 million tonnes and highlighting a potential shortfall of up to 6.2 million tonnes annually.
CCAA Chief Executive Officer Michael Kilgariff said the Taskforce was an important development following the association's sustained efforts to elevate construction materials supply as a critical economic issue.
"CCAA has invested significant time and resources into demonstrating the scale of Queensland's construction materials supply challenges and identifying practical solutions," Mr Kilgariff said.
"We welcome the Government's coordinated response, but South East Queensland quarries are already operating at practical capacity, with demand increasing further from early 2027. The Taskforce must agree immediate measures and delivery timeframes at its first meetings, alongside its longer-term work."
CCAA has identified nine quarry proposals across Queensland that have been refused, withdrawn, significantly delayed or subject to prolonged litigation, representing approximately 12 million tonnes of potential annual production capacity.
Oxford Economics modelling also found that sourcing construction materials for TMR's five-year Sunshine Coast and North Brisbane infrastructure program from 190 km away rather than local Sunshine Coast quarries at 40 km away could add between $305 million and $397 million in freight costs, depending on whether trucks operate at general or higher mass limits. The modelling demonstrates the value of policies that support supplying projects from the nearest suitable quarries and using the most productive trucks.
Mr Kilgariff said immediate priorities should include streamlined approvals for responsible brownfield quarry production-cap increases and greater operating flexibility, access to alternative sand extraction channels beyond Spitfire Channel and longer-term extraction licences, improved heavy vehicle mass concessions and better local council first- and last-mile freight access, potentially through the application of telematics data that verifies routes travelled, operating times and compliance with mass limits.
"At the same time, we must progress the medium- and longer-term reforms needed to support the next generation of greenfield quarries," he said.
"That means protecting quarry resources and haul routes and providing greater certainty in approval processes and decision-making so industry can invest with confidence.
"We must also address workforce shortages, build stronger community confidence in the industry's environmental and safety standards, strengthen coordination across governments and improve visibility of future project demand.
"This work must progress alongside the immediate measures needed to unlock supply now."
CCAA's recent submission on Queensland's draft State Planning Policy 2026 sets out the planning reforms needed to protect quarry resources and haul routes, facilitate responsible brownfield expansions and new greenfield quarries, and support timely supply for housing and infrastructure.
CCAA will also present its research and proposed solutions at the inaugural Quarry Supply Chain Taskforce meeting on 12 November.
"Queensland cannot deliver its housing and infrastructure ambitions without reliable, affordable access to construction materials. This Taskforce is an important opportunity to turn evidence and advocacy into practical reforms that keep Queensland building," Mr Kilgariff said.
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.
