Consult Australia has called for Australia’s first National Construction Strategy to focus on coordination and alignment – recognising the critical interplay between procurement, skills, data, and innovation.

In recognition of the crucial role the construction sector plays in delivering Australia’s transport infrastructure pipeline, senior officials from each of the nation’s transport and infrastructure agencies have commissioned the development of Australia’s first National Construction Strategy. This aims to harness efforts from across jurisdictions and industry to improve productivity in the transport infrastructure construction sector.

 

Consult Australia contributed to all four discussion papers that were released last month, focused on four critical areas:

“Coordination across these four pillars is critical,” says Kristy Eulenstein, Consult Australia’s Head of Policy and Government Relations.

 

Consult Australia’s submission draws on thought leadership including the Uplifting Productivity report, Confidence and Continuity survey findings, the Model Client Policy, the Enabling Digital by Default white paper and Unravelling Risk.

 

“Our recommendations focus on doing things differently, improving project practices, evaluating workforce actions, enabling digital by default and restoring balance to contractual relationships,” Kristy says.

 

The strategy’s success will depend on recognising connections between priority areas. “Improvements in one area, such as procurement and contracting, can drive progress in data collection, technology adoption and skills development.”

 

Consult Australia is keen to ensure the strategy aligns with the National Construction Industry Forum’s Building and Construction Industry Blueprint and other key initiatives.

 

“National coordination is essential to overcome fragmentation. We need consistent standards and aligned strategies that empower both consultants and constructors,” Kristy adds.

 

“We actively collaborate with existing governance forums, like the Construction Industry Leadership Forum. However, these mechanisms need to give consultants an equal seat at the table alongside constructors.”