Victoria pours $2.8 billion into building works

The Victorian Government has announced the first part of its Building Works package worth $2.8 billion to kick-start shovel-ready construction projects.

The package, unveiled by Premier Daniel Andrews yesterday, is anticipated to create 3700 direct jobs in the industry for construction workers, painters, plasterers and more; while also creating several thousand more jobs in associated industries such as manufacturing, logistics, transportation, warehousing and retail.

“We’re getting to work on hundreds of new projects across the state, meaning shovels in the ground – and boots in the mud – within a matter of weeks and months,” Premier Andrews said.

“From upgrading our roads and rail, to critical maintenance for social housing and new projects for our tourist destinations, this package will create jobs for our local tradies and so many others – and support local businesses all over Victoria.”

The package includes $1.18 billion specifically for education infrastructure projects such as the construction of ten new schools across Victoria.

The funds will also be used to upgrade 57 schools, purchase and refurbish relocatable school buildings, make modifications for students with disability, and carry out maintenance on schools and TAFEs across the state.

The key requirement for these projects is workers who are ready to get on the job and the ability to get going right away, with companies required to find new employees through Working for Victoria in the first instance.

Public and community housing will receive $500 million to upgrade 23,000 dwellings and build 168 new homes across the state.

The transport network will be allocated $328 million for transport infrastructure maintenance and repair works while the tourism sector will receive $382 million for upgrades, maintenance and new experiences at tourism destinations across the state.

Funding is also included for local sports facility upgrades, work to improve waterways and coastal areas, and revitalisation and maintenance projects from tree-planting to graffiti removal in communities across the state.

The Government will also invest more than $100 million for the critical upgrades of CFA and SES stations, disability accommodation, mental health and aged care facilities across Victoria.

Key industry body, Master Builders Victoria, has welcomed the package, saying it is vital for the recovery of not just the construction industry but also Victoria’s economy.

“The Building Works package is important because it includes hundreds of projects that have been selected precisely because they can launch quickly, pushing shovels into the ground within weeks or months,” said Master Builders Victoria CEO, Rebecca Casson.

“We commend the State Government on these announcements and ask them to go one step further by making the Construction Supply Register even simpler to access, which will ensure all work continues to be easily accessible and inclusive to organisations of all sizes,” she said.

Casson added Victoria’s building and construction industry is ideally placed to guide the state through to an economic recovery from the COVID-19 crisis, being the state’s largest full-time employer and providing 45 per cent of Victoria’s tax revenue.

“ABS data shows that every $1 invested in housing construction produces $3 worth of economic activity,” she said.

“On behalf of our members and our industry, we will continue to provide advice to the Victorian State Government on stimulus measures that can give our economy the best chance of success as the task of economic recovery continues.”

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