- Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia (CCAA) has called on Victorian political parties to back housing commitments with measures to reduce regulatory costs, streamline approvals, and secure construction material supplies.
- CCAA warned that housing affordability cannot be achieved through targets alone, stating that affordable homes require affordable materials such as cement, concrete, and aggregates.
- The organisation raised concerns about rising regulatory fees, including extractive industry fee increases averaging approximately 253 per cent from January 2027, which will drive up construction costs.
- CCAA criticised the Victorian Greens for supporting higher extractive industry fees whilst simultaneously advocating for more affordable housing, calling the two positions contradictory.
- CCAA urged all parties to protect local quarry resources and ensure efficient material transportation, warning that failure to do so would increase emissions, transport distances, and ultimately construction costs.
Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia (CCAA) has called on Victorian political parties to support their housing commitments with practical measures to reduce regulatory costs, streamline approvals and secure the supply of essential construction materials.
Following the Victorian Labor Government’s announcement of plans to deliver 25,600 new homes for first home buyers, CCAA said housing targets must be matched by policies addressing the cost of construction.
CCAA Chief Executive Officer Michael Kilgariff said housing affordability could not be achieved through housing commitments alone.
“Affordable homes start with affordable materials. Every housing development relies on cement, concrete and aggregates for foundations, roads, drainage and essential infrastructure,” Mr Kilgariff said.
“Building more homes is essential, but governments must also address the regulatory costs and barriers making them increasingly expensive to deliver.”
CCAA has raised concerns about increasing regulatory fees, lengthy approvals and compliance costs, including Victorian extractive industry fee increases averaging approximately 253 per cent from 1 January 2027.
These concerns are reflected in CCAA’s Victorian Election Policy Priorities, which call for competitive regulatory costs, more efficient approvals and long-term protection of the construction material resources needed to support housing and infrastructure development.
Mr Kilgariff also questioned the Victorian Greens’ support for higher extractive industry fees while advocating for more affordable housing.
“The Greens are calling for lower housing costs while supporting measures that increase the cost of supplying essential building materials. They need to explain how those positions work together,” he said.
“Requiring a home to be affordable does not remove the cost of building it.”
Mr Kilgariff said effective environmental regulation was essential, but fees must be proportionate and recognise the differences between construction material quarries and other extractive industries.
He also warned that failing to protect local quarry resources would increase transport distances, fuel consumption, emissions and construction costs.
“Governments cannot plan for tens of thousands of new homes without planning for the materials needed to build them,” he said.
“That means protecting future quarry resources, providing timely approvals and ensuring materials can be transported efficiently to where they are needed.
“Victoria needs both environmental safeguards and affordable housing. Credible housing policies must demonstrate how they will deliver both.”
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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.
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Contact: Mitch Itter, Manager Communications | 0431 542 660 | [email protected]
