The Queensland Major Contractors Association (QMCA) has welcomed the release of the Queensland Productivity Commission’s Final Report into opportunities to improve productivity in the building and construction industry, along with the Queensland Government’s response.
The Final Report outlines 64 recommendations aimed at boosting productivity across the sector, with a focus on industry reset, procurement reform, planning and land-use regulation, building regulation, and labour market operations.
Download the Full Report
Download The Final Report Summary
QMCA Chief Executive Officer Andrew Chapman said the findings reflected many of the issues the construction industry has been raising for some time.
“This is a welcome and important outcome. The Commission’s findings validate what industry has been saying for years, that productivity in construction has been constrained by outdated regulation, inefficient procurement practices and industrial settings that no longer reflect the realities of modern project delivery,” Mr Chapman said.
“Queensland has an unprecedented infrastructure and housing pipeline ahead of it, including the delivery of Olympic and Paralympic Games infrastructure. We simply cannot afford to be hamstrung by outdated policies, regulations and industrial conditions if we are to deliver the infrastructure Queenslanders need and expect,” he said.
QMCA strongly welcomed the permanent removal of the Best Practice Industry Conditions (BPIC), noting the significant productivity and cost impacts the policy had imposed on major projects.
“The permanent removal of BPIC is a very positive outcome and will save Queensland taxpayers billions of dollars over the coming years by removing conditions that were actively undermining productivity and project efficiency,” Mr Chapman said.
The Association also welcomed the Commission’s findings on hot weather management, site access and industrial conduct on construction sites.
“QMCA has already developed a far more robust, evidence-based and risk-focused approach to managing hot weather impacts. We welcome the Commission’s recommendations in this area and look forward to working with the government to implement meaningful, safe and practical reform,” Mr Chapman said.
“We also welcome recommendations that address the misuse of site access provisions to delay or disrupt construction activity for reasons unrelated to genuine safety concerns. These practices have a direct and damaging impact on productivity and project delivery and unfortunately on the mental health of workers on site.”
Mr Chapman emphasised that productivity and safety are not competing priorities.
“Productivity and safety go hand in hand. The recommendations in this report help restore balance to our industry, ensuring safety remains paramount while allowing projects to be delivered efficiently and responsibly,” he said.
QMCA said it looked forward to working collaboratively with the Queensland Government and industry stakeholders to support the implementation of the Commission’s recommendations.
“The opportunity now is to turn this report into real, practical reform. QMCA and our members stand ready to work constructively with government to lift productivity, deliver better value for money for taxpayers, and ensure Queensland’s critical infrastructure and housing can be delivered for the benefit of all Queenslanders,” Mr Chapman said.
