As Queensland’s infrastructure landscape surges toward a decade of transformation, few tools have proven as vital as the Queensland Major Projects Pipeline Report (QMPPR). For Dave Balmer, Regional Director at Acciona, the report is more than just data — it’s a shared vision for how industry and government can deliver the state’s future with purpose, coordination and legacy.
The Importance of a Shared Lens
Balmer says the motivation behind Acciona’s support for the QMPPR stems from a simple but critical need: clarity.
“The importance of viewing the entire Queensland market through a single lens for all stakeholders cannot be understated,” Dave explains. “When everyone — from policymakers to contractors — is working from the same foundation, we can plan more effectively, invest more confidently, and deliver better outcomes for Queenslanders.”
Beyond planning, these insights directly support project execution, including sequencing, resourcing, and risk management, to help ensure major works are completed efficiently and safely.
For Acciona, a company delivering major transport and infrastructure projects across the state, that shared visibility helps align short-term priorities with long-term benefits.
Turning Data into Collaboration
The QMPPR, produced annually by QMCA and its partners, maps billions of dollars’ worth of public and private projects across Queensland. But Balmer sees its real strength not in the numbers, but in the coordination it encourages.
“The report enables the public sector to be more coordinated, and the private sector to strategically invest,” he says. “It provides a clear view of the volume challenges that exist between today and 2032.”
By bringing together competing interests under a single framework, the QMPPR helps stakeholders anticipate demand, reduce duplication, and foster collaboration between the tiers of government and industry.
Navigating Market Volatility
While the report offers a valuable whole-of-market perspective, Balmer acknowledges that predicting the exact timing of projects remains complex.
“The volatility of final timing for projects is challenging and overly fluid,” he says. “But even with that variability, the optics the report provides are incredibly valuable. It allows for informed strategic planning and investment.”
That level of insight helps organisations like Acciona position themselves for future opportunities while balancing workforce capacity and supply chain pressures.
Regional Opportunities and Challenges
Queensland’s regional diversity is both a strength and a challenge. From the fast-growing south-east to emerging resource corridors and regional hubs, the state’s infrastructure demands are vast and varied.
“The fact that Queensland has so many major projects and programs that need to be leveraged, with a view of creating long-term legacy economic stimulus, is a massive opportunity which we cannot afford to miss,” Dave says.
With preparations for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games accelerating, Balmer sees the next decade as pivotal for the state’s economic future, provided coordination keeps pace with ambition.
Delivering the Pipeline: Challenges and Solutions
As Balmer notes, delivering Queensland’s future pipeline will hinge on efficiency and informed decision-making.
“To put the industry in the best position to deliver, we need more effective program coordination, the elimination of non-productive work, and informed decision-making,” he explains.
But he’s also candid about the hurdles. “Resource availability, speed of approvals, PUP relocation capacity, and effective prioritisation are the biggest challenges to successful delivery,” he says.
Addressing these issues, Balmer believes, will require continued collaboration between all stakeholders — underpinned by data and long-term planning rather than short-term political cycles.
Looking Ahead
When asked about the sectors set for the strongest growth, Balmer’s answer is succinct: “All sectors.” From transport and energy to water and social infrastructure, the opportunities are broad. But without stronger coordination, some may be missed.
“We need to escalate the coordination of the major programs to ensure timely and cost-effective outcomes,” he says.
For Balmer, the path forward is clear. The QMPPR is not just a snapshot of Queensland’s future — it’s a roadmap for how industry and government can work together to make it happen.
“Queensland has an incredible decade ahead,” he says. “If we get the coordination right, we’ll build not just infrastructure, but lasting prosperity and capability for the generations that follow.”
That’s the enduring value of the QMPPR — helping industry and government align their efforts so that today’s major projects create long-term economic and community benefits for Queensland.
