News | 16 November

The Federal Government’s scrapping of 12 major infrastructure projects across Victoria is a significant blow to the industry and will not solve complex inflationary pressures, the peak body for Victoria’s civil contractors says. 

CCF Victoria members and the wider industry are already doing it tough in volatile economic times amid costs blowouts, skills and materials shortages and significant Government procurement challenges, CEO Lisa Kinross said today. 

“Now is not the time to be cutting income-producing work and jobs, especially in the run-up to Christmas and the continuing cost of living crisis heavily impacting hard-working Victorian families,” Ms Kinross said. 

“Cutting infrastructure projects only creates more pain – congested roads, housing without supporting infrastructure, boom and bust cycles and loss of skilled labour. 

“This decision hurts our industry, the community and the state’s economy, particularly trade-based businesses in regional areas that rely on a sustainable pipeline of work,” she said. 

The 12 Victorian projects scrapped are: 

  1. The $4 billion Geelong Fast Rail 
  2. Goulburn Valley Highway – Shepparton Bypass Stage 1 
  3. Business Case for Melbourne Inland Rail Intermodal Terminal 
  4. Calder Freeway – Gap Road to the M80 Ring Road 
  5. Camberwell Road / Monteath Avenue / Redfern Road Intersection Upgrade 
  6. Frankston to Baxter Rail Upgrade 
  7. McKoy Street – Hume Freeway Intersection Upgrade 
  8. Mornington Peninsula Freeway Upgrade 
  9. Rutherglen Heavy Vehicle Alternative Route 
  10. Victorian Faster Rail Corridor Investigations 
  11. Western Freeway Upgrade – M80 Ring Road to Ferris Road 
  12. Improving connectivity to Port of Melbourne – Business Case 

While the loss of several projects will have a significant impact on local industry and local communities, the Federal Government confirmed the Melbourne Airport Rail Link and the Victorian Government’s multi-billion-dollar Suburban Rail Loop East (SRL) would continue. 

In its review, the Federal Government says it expects project procurement practices to support the long-term sustainability of the construction industry, given its critical importance to our state and the nation’s economic prosperity. 

“On this basis, we look forward to collaborating with governments at all levels to ensure Victoria’s civil contractors remain a sustainable, productive and resilient force delivering quality community infrastructure for current and future generations,” Ms Kinross added.  

A full list of impacted projects is available on the Department of Infrastructure website. 

For media enquiries and interview requests, contact: 
Simon Mossman 
Executive Manager – Policy and Public Relations, CCF Victoria 
0451 660 980 
smossman@ccfvic.com.au 

About the CCF 

The CCF is the peak national representative body for the Australian civil construction industry representing over 1,900 civil construction companies across the construction supply chain in all jurisdictions ranging from tier 1, 2, 3, 4, SMEs and sole trader business owners.  

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