The Queensland Major Contractors Association (QMCA) has welcomed the Queensland Government’s commitment to infrastructure investment in the 2026-27 State Budget, with the State’s capital program increasing to $119 billion over the next four years and transport infrastructure receiving a major boost through a record $55 billion Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program (QTRIP).
QMCA Chief Executive Officer Andrew Chapman said the Budget sends a strong signal that infrastructure remains central to Queensland’s economic growth, productivity and long-term prosperity.
“Queensland continues to grow at a remarkable rate, and the infrastructure task facing the State is significant. This Budget recognises that reality and provides greater certainty for industry, communities and investors. Early investments and schemes, such as the Critical Minerals Development Fund and the Taroom Trough development, as well as the ongoing implementation of the Residential Activation Fund, will help establish enabling infrastructure to sustain the state’s economic development and growth. ” Mr Chapman said.
With the 2032 Games coming up, the rubber is hitting the road with over $765m for construction works on the permanent venues and the commencement of the Games Village at the RNA. Whilst the 2032 Games attract a lot of headlines, they are one of the key enablers of this unprecedented investment in infrastructure across the state.
Ongoing investment programs across the health sector, with the Hospital Rescue Plan, and investments in the housing sector, are much-needed social infrastructure to support the state’s development.
“The increase in the capital program is welcome, but what is particularly encouraging is the growth in QTRIP from $41 billion to $55 billion over the forward estimates. This is not simply an adjustment for rising construction costs. Even allowing for inflationary pressures across the construction sector, this represents a substantial increase in the amount of work planned across Queensland, with new projects that will deliver real economic value to communities, regions and the economy.
Some of the key programs across the budget that are important for the construction sector include the following:
- The recently announced Gold Coast Transport Plan, including the Gold Coast Light Rail extension to Harbour Town and metro-like services along the southern part of the coast
- The massive investment in the Sunshine Coast transport network across the Wave (Stages 1-3), Mooloolah River Interchange and the Caloundra Road network upgrades
- Bruce Highway upgrades, including Gateway Motorway/ Bruce Highway, Tiaro Bypass, Goorganga Plains and the $9b Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Upgrade program, with nearly $1b to be spent in the forthcoming financial year.
- $6.6b of funding for transport maintenance that has been increased by $1b
- $858m in water asset projects, including enabling and early works across several dam upgrade projects in preparation for large-scale investment
- $160m in the forthcoming financial year for rail station access improvements.
- The Hospital Rescue Plan with $4b to be delivered in FY27
“Whilst there are many other projects in planning and/ or awaiting commitments from the Federal Government, the state government should be commended for taking the lead on implementing these new investments that will not only support the Games in 2032 but support economic and community growth for the next decade and beyond.”
“We welcome and support the Queensland Government’s continued investment in productivity-enhancing infrastructure, which will strengthen the State’s competitiveness, support jobs and create lasting economic benefits for future generations.”
Mr Chapman said the increased pipeline presents significant opportunities but also reinforces the need for government and industry to continue working together to improve how projects are procured, delivered, and managed, so that recent productivity gains can be built upon and lead to long-lasting improvements. Government, Industry and third party stakeholders need to work together to ensure that productivity across the industry can be improved, in a permanent way, to deliver this pipeline of work.
“Queensland’s contractors have demonstrated they can deliver complex projects in challenging market conditions. The next step is ensuring we have more streamlined and efficient procurement models, planning processes and delivery frameworks that allow projects to be delivered more efficiently and provide better value for taxpayers.”
Mr Chapman said collaborative procurement would play an important role in successfully delivering the growing pipeline of infrastructure work. “The size of Queensland’s infrastructure pipeline means we cannot continue doing things the way we always have. Streamlining procurement, greater collaboration, a joint willingness to embrace innovation, increasing the labour pool, and managing industrial relations effectively will be critical if we are to maximise the value of this investment and deliver price and time certainty.
“The industry looks forward to continuing to partner with the state government to ensure these projects are delivered safely, efficiently and in a way that strengthens Queensland’s productivity and competitiveness for decades to come.”
