As Queensland approaches a population of 6 million and braces for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games’ global spotlight, the state’s transport construction industry finds itself at a crossroads. It is a time of major growth opportunities, but also significant structural and systemic challenges.
Decades of underinvestment and population-led sprawl have created a backlog of critical infrastructure needs, from congested urban corridors to underdeveloped and poorly maintained regional links. The transport construction industry is tasked not only with catching up, but also with future-proofing Queensland’s economic and social mobility.
Now, under the newly elected Crisafulli-led LNP government, the stakes have risen. Campaign promises of congestion-busting roads, smarter rail links and the delivery of value for taxpayer dollars must move rapidly from rhetoric to reality. What we have seen is a plan for the Olympic infrastructure (albeit subject to some opposition) and a pause or descoping of some major infrastructure spends, such as the Borumba Pumped Hydro Project and CopperString.
The industry is grappling with labour shortages, rising materials costs and supply chain disruptions that continue to ripple from the pandemic and global geopolitical instability. Project pipelines are strong, but the delivery environment is volatile. From Toowoomba to Townsville, contractors are calling for greater certainty, smarter procurement and streamlined planning approvals.
Government capital works programs are now facing a productivity imperative: not just building more but building smarter. The productivity debate rages and is being strongly pushed by the Australian Constructors Association (ACA) and the Queensland Major Contractors Association (QMCA), in particular. One key issue is that there is currently no simple, consistent way to measure and benchmark productivity in this industry, but that is a topic for another day.
To keep pace with demand, the industry needs to rethink procurement models, including:
- Prioritising collaborative contracts that share risk more equitably.
- Accelerating approvals and land acquisition processes.
- Investing in local workforce development, especially in trades and civil engineering.
The private sector is ready to respond, but clear, long-term policy signals from the government are essential.
The Brisbane 2032 Games could be the catalyst for transformative infrastructure investment – but only if projects integrate into a sustainable, post-Games transport legacy. This means aligning transport corridors with housing growth, economic zones and climate-resilience priorities.
The construction industry is ready to deliver, but it must be supported by:
- transparent planning
- realistic timelines
- stable funding commitments beyond electoral cycles
Key figures shaping the success of this challenge
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been re-elected and looks likely to be in the role for another two terms. His election sweeteners included an additional $7.2 billion for upgrading and fixing the Bruce Highway, bringing the Australian Government’s total commitment to over $17 billion for the 1,673 km road. Additionally, $200 million has been allocated to address cost overruns on the Rockhampton Ring Road project, bringing the total federal funding to almost $1.4 billion. A $245 million commitment has been made towards constructing a new bridge over the Barron River on the Kennedy Highway in far north Queensland, along with a $50 million allocation to support the delivery of a business case, in partnership with the Queensland Government and Brisbane City Council, to expand the Brisbane Metro to the city’s northern suburbs.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King returns to the portfolio after implementing a 90-day Infrastructure Review that concluded in November 2023 and resulted in the cancellation of approximately 50 projects. Stakeholders will now be watching to see if her continued leadership provides a stable path forward for infrastructure development.
At the state level, Premier David Crisafulli has publicly acknowledged his failure to meet his pre-election commitment on building a new stadium and has initiated a thorough review of significant state infrastructure projects from a fiscal standpoint. Ideally, this review will provide clarity for businesses and enable effective planning going forward.
Speaking at a recent industry event, Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg expressed frustration with Queensland’s road network and signalled his commitment to supporting regional road construction and maintenance through Tier 2 and 3 contractors, along with his openness to innovation and market-led proposals.
In Queensland, the LNP’s first major test will be the June 2025 State Budget. Will it deliver the infrastructure vision Queenslanders were promised? Will it address long-standing industry pain points? Or will political caution hold back the momentum needed for generational reform?
The transport construction sector does not just need another wave of projects. It needs policy that rewards innovation, builds capacity and commits to long-term investment horizons.
It is not just the industry’s future that hangs in the balance, but also the mobility, equity and liveability of Queensland for decades to come.
