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With the master plan for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics finally revealed, the construction sector is champing at the bit to tackle the wave of new projects announced today - but it has also warned that the government needs to remove the barriers to building if they want to complete the Games infrastructure on time.
Master Builders points out that in the face of rising costs and the persistence of the housing crisis where Queensland is well short of its construction targets, the new Olympic Games venues will need to be built alongside an “enormous pipeline” of essential community projects such as hospitals and schools as the state’s population booms.
The building industry's representative body says that to facilitate the Games agenda, the government must tackle the “linked problems” of low industry productivity and the high regulatory burden on building and construction businesses.
“This is a marathon, not a sprint,” says Master Builders CEO Paul Bidwell.
“We need government to support our industry to deliver the legacy of world-class Games infrastructure, so we don’t fall at the final hurdle."
He says the industry is committed to tackling low productivity and unnecessary layers of regulation in building and construction, and describes the government's agenda as a roadmap to a "more productive and streamlined future for Brisbane 2032 and beyond".
“The starting gun has already been fired. We’ve applauded the Crisafulli Government for freezing Best Practice Industry Conditions (BPIC), pausing the roll out of Project Trust Accounts as part of the Building Reg Reno plan, and re-establishing the Queensland Productivity Commission (QPC); but there’s no time for complacency.
“Our advocacy is laser-focused on further cutting red tape, turning around declining rates of productivity, and finding new ways to build that don’t compromise safety or quality.”
The Australian Constructors Association (ACA) has also stepped into the fray, declaring that while today’s announcement from the Queensland Government brings “much-needed certainty”, the industry is more focused on the “how” than the “what”.
The CEO of ACA, Jon Davies, says a smarter approach to delivery is critical to the successful provision of Games infrastructure.
“Queensland cannot afford further delays caused by slow business cases and inefficient procurement processes,” says Davies.
"To deliver a successful Games, we need a smarter, more efficient approach to construction, one that treats it as a team sport, not a battle of bureaucracy.
“The Queensland Government’s shopping list of projects must be paired with clear objectives, allowing the construction industry the freedom to determine the best way to deliver.
“This isn’t about handing over projects and waiting at the finish line. It’s about engaging contractors early and balancing risk to ensure success for all. Government needs to look beyond the lowest tender price and embrace innovation, efficiency and sustainability.”
Meanwhile, Master Builders has timed today’s Olympics master plan announcement by the government with the launch of an updated policy and advocacy agenda.
The building industry representative’s CEO says the permanent scrapping of the BPIC would help industry achieve its “personal best” on big-ticket items for the Games, as well as other state government projects.
When the Crisafulli Government was elected in November, it temporarily suspended the use of BPIC on all new government-funded construction projects.
“Our analysis shows up to 96 days were being lost in a calendar year under BPIC, where the union was micro-managing working arrangements,” says Bidwell.
“We need industry working five days a week, within safety requirements, to ensure delivery on time and on budget. We are hopeful the CFMEU administration will support actions that improve productivity.”
Master Builders is also calling for a government review of its procurement process so that contractors are not “shackled with unfair contract terms” and that tender processes are streamlined.
“Industry needs greater visibility and certainty on the pipeline of works not only for the Olympic and Paralympic Games venues outlined today, but of the overall program, so we can better allocate our already stretched resources in the years to 2032,” says Bidwell.
“Right now, the statewide structural skills shortage is challenging project timelines and driving up costs.
“We need to do more to attract skilled workers to our industry and retain them for the long run, and improving school pathways, incentivising apprenticeships, helping small businesses cover the costs of employing young workers, and encouraging more women to the industry, are all key to growing our workforce.
“The eyes of the world will be on Queensland, and we need government not only to champion our industry, but to collaborate with us as we work to place our state at the top of the winners’ podium.”
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