- CCAA seeks explicit recognition of heavy construction materials industry as critical sector under Level 4 of National Fuel Security Plan
- The industry is vital for housing supply, infrastructure delivery and economic activity, with immediate impacts if fuel access is constrained
- CCAA welcomes government fuel relief measures, including halved fuel excise and reduced heavy vehicle charges
- Organisation actively engaging with governments on fuel security through various coordination meetings and roundtables
- Recognition as critical service would ensure continuity of construction materials supply during fuel constraints
Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia (CCAA) is calling for the heavy construction materials industry to be explicitly recognised as a critical sector under Level 4: Protecting Critical Services for All Australians in the National Fuel Security Plan agreed to by National Cabinet.
CCAA Chief Executive Officer Michael Kilgariff said the plan provides an important national framework for responding to fuel supply disruptions, but clarity is needed on how critical industries will be prioritised if conditions deteriorate.
“The National Fuel Security Plan sets out how governments will respond in more severe scenarios, including measures to protect critical services,” Mr Kilgariff said.
“It is essential that the heavy construction materials industry is explicitly recognised within those settings.”
Mr Kilgariff said the sector plays a central role in enabling housing supply, infrastructure delivery and broader economic activity across the country.
“Construction materials are fundamental to keeping Australia building — from major transport projects to new housing,” he said.
“If fuel access is constrained and our sector is not clearly prioritised, the impacts will be immediate — affecting project delivery, increasing costs and disrupting supply chains.”
CCAA also welcomed the Federal Government’s fuel relief measures, including the temporary halving of fuel excise and reductions in heavy vehicle charges, noting they will provide important short-term support to households and freight operators.
“These measures will help ease cost pressures and support freight movement across the economy,” Mr Kilgariff said.
CCAA has been actively engaged on fuel security with governments across the nation, including through last week’s National Emergency Management Agency coordination meeting and roundtables across all jurisdictions.
Mr Kilgariff said ongoing engagement between government and industry would be critical as the National Fuel Security Plan is further developed and implemented.
“Ensuring construction materials supply chains are part of these discussions will help deliver practical outcomes that maintain continuity of supply,” he said.
“Recognising our sector as a critical service under Level 4 will provide the certainty needed to keep projects moving and support housing and infrastructure delivery during any period of fuel constraint.”
CCAA stands ready to work constructively with governments and industry stakeholders to support the continued development of the National Fuel Security Plan.
About us:
About CCAA
CCAA is the voice of Australia’s heavy construction materials industry, an industry that contributes $20.7 billion to GDP and supports 112,970 jobs nationwide. CCAA members produce most of Australia's cement, concrete and aggregates, which are essential to the nation’s building and construction sectors.
Contact details:
Contact: Mitch Itter, Manager Communications | 0431 542 660 | [email protected]