$118.3 billion has been invested into New South Wales infrastructure, with CCF NSW hopeful local contractors will be part of the delivery of the projects
The Civil Contractors Federation NSW has welcomed the state government’s $118.3 billion infrastructure investment in the 2025–26 State Budget, but says the real test will be how quickly projects hit the ground, and whether local contractors are part of the delivery.
The Budget includes $30 billion in infrastructure investment for 2025–26, with major funding for housing enabling works, regional development, economic precincts and essential services.
Budget highlights with significant civil works include:
- $12.4B for health infrastructure statewide
- $5.5B roads package for Western Sydney
- $3.6B for Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport
- $2.3B for disaster recovery in Hunter and Northern Rivers
- $2.1B for new regional schools including West Dapto and Broken Hill
- $644.1M for stormwater and recycled water in the Mamre Road Precinct
- $115.5M for Newcastle Port logistics precinct to support Renewable Energy Zones.
“We welcome the government’s ambition, but big promises need big changes,” CCF NSW CEO Kylie Yates says.
“If procurement settings don’t shift to support local and mid-sized contractors, projects won’t be delivered at the scale, speed or cost the government is counting on.”
While CCF NSW supports initiatives like the Investment Delivery Authority and Housing Infrastructure Funds, Yates warned that complex tenders and slow decisions inside government still hold up delivery.
“We can’t just cut red tape for big developers and investors, we must cut it inside government too so every agency and contractor can get on with the job,” Yates says.
“Essential infrastructure means getting the basics right – and that includes fixing a construction procurement system where more than half of all government projects go to multinationals, shutting out local contractors.”