Submission: Developing a new plan for Victoria

Simplifying complex planning, approvals and procurement processes and creating equal opportunity for all civil contractors are core themes in CCF Victoria’s submission to the State Government’s Developing a New Plan for Victoria.

Civil infrastructure is the very foundation of all our cities, towns and suburbs. Without the roads, rail, bridges and tunnels that connect communities and create liveable, thriving neighbourhoods, Victoria cannot expect to comfortably accommodate the expected population boom over the next few decades.

By the middle of the century, the state’s population is expected to have soared by 3.8 million people. That creates significant pressure and urgency to deliver the 2.24 million new homes forecast by the Government.

“Factor in the renewable energy transition to achieve net zero emissions and lower household energy bills, plus support the millions of new jobs and equal opportunities for Victorians, it adds up to a massive amount of work,” CCF Victoria CEO Lisa Kinross said.

“The Government has outlined a bold vision for our state – one which creates housing affordability and choice, greater equity and employment opportunities, liveable and thriving neighbourhoods and sustainable environments and climate action.

“Sustainable civil infrastructure underpins all of this. What we need now is a clear, concrete roadmap with civil construction prioritised to address our state’s housing needs, support the transition to renewable energy and enhance overall liveability and productivity.”

CCF Victoria’s submission also recommends:

• The Government reconsiders the current 70/30 split between brownfields/infill and greenfields development opportunities, recognising the space restrictions and impracticalities of squeezing millions more people into already crowded urban areas;
• The Government simplifies prohibitive approvals processes for resources, without which the outcome will be a continuing shortage of construction materials and rising prices, impacting housing affordability and choice;
• The State Government urgently addresses workforce challenges including better industry-led training, more practical Construction Award conditions, and supports efforts to get civil construction listed as a formally recognised trade occupation on ANZSCO.

“A modest rebalance from 70/30 to 65/35 percentage split between brownfields and greenfields will lead to more practical land supply plans and help bring a greater volume of more affordable housing online much quicker,” Kinross said.

“We encourage the Government to also ensure this new Plan for Victoria broadens the focus from a heavily metro-centric infrastructure focus to greater regional investment, with increased emphasis on regional infrastructure construction and maintenance.

“Overall, this is an exciting, pivotal time for the state and our industry and we look forward to seeing the Government’s new Plan for Victoria.

“I thank all our valuable members and contractors who attended our roundtable sessions to contribute to our submission.”

Download our submission.

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