Civil construction a frontline service

The government must recognise that civil construction is an indispensable part of Australia's essential infrastructure workforce.

- 

Queensland, particularly South-East Queensland, has had enormous population growth in recent years.

Population projections suggest that the region will have six million people by 2046, up from about four million in mid-2024.

The economic and social hub of South-East Queensland, Brisbane, is already Australia's most congested city.

Population growth, the need for new housing and transport, and the Olympics have created a perfect storm in the civil construction industry in Queensland.

The Olympics, when combined with this population surge, is projected to create about 90,000 full-time "job years" over a 20-year period, with a need for almost 20,000 additional construction workers each year from now until the Games are held.

Crucially, a peak shortfall of 50,000 construction workers is expected over the 2026 to 2027 period.