The State Budget’s focus on boosting building and construction productivity promises what industry has been calling for – and now it’s about turning that commitment into real reform.
“The Treasurer has echoed our own language, committing to ‘pull every lever to boost productivity’ while ensuring safety and quality,” Master Builders Deputy CEO Michael Hopkins said.
“With an unprecedented $119 billion in infrastructure across four years, plus over $4 billion in hospitals, $1.45 billion in schools, and $1 billion in social and community housing, the Budget points to the Queensland Productivity Commission’s recommendations to deliver this mammoth pipeline.
“It highlights prioritising and coordinating infrastructure projects, and reforming procurement, land use, and building activity regulation, to deliver projects on time and on budget,” he said.
Mr Hopkins also welcomed the Budget’s focus on boosting housing supply and affordability.
“The continuation of the $30,000 First Home Owner Grant program, scrapping of stamp duty for first-home buyers of new homes, and the doubling of the Boost to Buy funding, will all help put a roof over more Queenslanders’ heads,” he said.
“We also celebrated an early win of the doubling of the investment in the Residential Activation Fund, unlocking land for new housing via essential infrastructure.
“These programs not only help consumers but also provide industry greater certainty at a time when Federal Budget tax changes and global events are dialling up the pressure on construction businesses and impacting the bottom line.
“We look forward to continuing to work with the government on our shared vision of making Queensland the building capital of the nation.”