Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia (CCAA) has welcomed the Queensland Government’s Procurement Policy 2026, describing it as an important step toward a more sustainable and circular construction industry.
CCAA Chief Executive Officer Michael Kilgariff said the policy sets a strong direction for government purchasing to drive innovation, resource efficiency and lower-carbon outcomes.
“This policy recognises that every dollar of government procurement can help build a more sustainable, circular, and resilient Queensland,” he said.
“It puts sustainability at the centre of how we plan and deliver infrastructure and rewards the responsible use of resources.”
Queensland’s heavy construction materials sector is already leading the way through practical innovation and collaboration, including:
- Developing Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for cement and concrete products to provide transparent, verified environmental data.
- Expanding low-carbon concretes using supplementary materials like fly ash, slag, calcined clays and recycled fines, cutting embodied carbon by up to 40 per cent.
- Recycling millions of tonnes of construction waste each year into aggregates and road base, keeping valuable materials in use.
- Working with the government to improve End of Waste (EOW) Codes and simplify recycling rules for low-risk materials like concrete washout and recycled aggregates.
“Our industry is committed to Queensland’s net-zero ambitions,” Kilgariff said.
“By improving waste-reuse frameworks and embedding sustainable procurement, we can cut emissions, strengthen local supply chains, and support regional jobs.”
The policy’s emphasis on sustainability and practical impact gives Queensland an opportunity to lead nationally.
“By aligning procurement, recycling, and waste reform, Queensland can deliver cleaner infrastructure, a stronger economy, and better outcomes for the community,” Kilgariff said.
“Our sector stands ready to work with government to ensure every infrastructure dollar builds a greener future.”
CCAA also emphasised the importance of ensuring that key concrete standards—including MRTS 70 (for TMR projects) and AS 1379 (for non-TMR applications)—remain fit for purpose to accommodate new, innovative approaches and low-carbon technologies in concrete production.
Australia’s heavy construction materials industry generates more than $15 billion annually and directly employs 30,000 Australians, with a further 80,000 employed indirectly. CCAA members produce most of Australia’s cement, concrete, and aggregates essential to the nation’s building and construction sectors.
Related stories:
National procurement policy to generate demand for recycled goods
Queensland releases plan to reduce waste and boost recycling
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