Construction industry 'reset' recommended in bid to improve productivity
Summary
The Queensland government is implementing significant changes in the construction sector to address a 9% decline in productivity since 2018, aiming to meet housing demands ahead of the 2032 Olympics.
Why It Matters
This article highlights the urgent need for reform in Queensland's construction industry, which is struggling to meet housing demands and productivity targets. The government's response to the productivity commission's findings could reshape the sector's future and impact worker safety and industry standards.
Key Takeaways
- Queensland's construction productivity has declined by 9% since 2018.
- The government accepted 51 out of 64 recommendations from the productivity commission.
- Changes include reviewing health and safety regulations and reducing procurement red tape.
- The decision to abolish Best Practice Industry Conditions has sparked controversy.
- Concerns have been raised about worker safety amid proposed changes.
Queensland government to change construction industry after inquiry finds productivity decliningBy Lottie TwyfordTopic:Construction and Real Estate IndustryWed 21 JanWednesday 21 JanuaryWed 21 Jan 2026 at 2:33amThe state government says it's making changes across the construction sector in a bid to boost productivity. (ABC News: Luke Bowden)In short:Queensland's productivity commission has handed down a final report into the state's under-pressure construction sector.It detailed numerous concerns around the industry's ability to meet housing targets and demand for major projects, particularly ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.What's next?Fifty-one of the recommendations made by the productivity commission have been accepted by the state government.The Queensland government has agreed to make sweeping changes across the construction industry, as an inquiry finds the sector is increasingly unable to meet demand.A final report from the state's productivity commission, released on Wednesday, found productivity in the industry had fallen by 9 per cent since 2018, which could have cost the state almost 80,000 additional homes.Labour productivity in the sector, which employs 10 per cent of the state's workforce, is estimated to have grown only 5 per cent in 30 years. As a comparison, over the same period, the commission said productivity in the market economy had grown 65 per cent.All of that means government housing targets are now increasingly looking "difficult" t...