Axing of 17 NSW infrastructure projects a blow to the civil construction industry and jobs

The Federal Government’s axing of 17 NSW infrastructure projects following the 90-day review into Australia’s Infrastructure Investment Pipeline is a major blow to the industry and will not solve complex inflationary pressures, the peak body for civil contractors in NSW said today.

The Civil Contractors Federation NSW (CCF NSW) said the decision would hurt NSW civil construction contractors already doing it tough in volatile economic times amid costs blowouts, skills and materials shortages and significant Government procurement challenges.

“Cutting infrastructure projects only creates more pain – congested roads, housing without supporting infrastructure, boom and bust cycles and loss of skilled labour,” CCF NSW CEO Kylie Yates said.

“This decision hurts our economy – especially regional trade-based businesses and communities who need a sustainable pipeline of work,” she said.

The full list of projects scrapped in NSW is:

1. Blaxland Road/Balaclava Road Intersection Improvements
2. Bruxner Highway – Wollongbar to Goonellabah
3. Commuter Car Park Upgrade – T1 North Shore, Northern and Western Line – Kingswood
4. Commuter Car Park Upgrade – T1 North Shore, Northern and Western Line – St Marys
5. Commuter Car Park Upgrade – Woy Woy
6. Great Western Highway Upgrade – Katoomba to Lithgow – Construction of East and West Sections
7. Gwydir Highway Improvements – Planning
8. M7-M12 Interchange
9. Mulgoa Road Stage 2 – Glenmore Parkway to Jeanette Street, Stage 5A Blaikie Road to Jamison Road and Stage 5B Jamison Road to Union Road
10. Northern NSW Inland Port – Narrabri
11. Oxley Highway Stage 2 – Planning
12. Remembrance Driveway Corridor Upgrade – Camden Council
13. Southern Connector Road, Jindabyne
14. Sydney to Newcastle – Tuggerah – Wyong faster rail upgrade
15. Toowoomba to Seymour – New South Wales – Moree Intermodal Overpass
16. Werrington Arterial Stage 2 – Planning
17. Western City Road Transport Network Development – Planning

“These projects are needed and don’t get cheaper by cutting or delaying them – it just pushes the pain to the back half of the decade, and meantime communities suffer from poor connectivity and infrastructure,” Ms Yates said.

As the cost of living continues to impact NSW families, now is not the time to cut income-producing work and cause uncertainty for industry wanting to do business in Australia and NSW.

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 nation’s economic prosperity.

On this basis, CCF NSW looks forward to collaborating with governments at all levels to ensure NSW’s civil contractors remain a sustainable, productive and resilient force delivering quality community infrastructure for current and future generations.