Infrastructure

2024 Infrastructure conference news and highlights

Check out the content hub for the 2024 CEDA Infrastructure conference, featuring photos, video replays and opinion articles from Australian thought-leaders.


At the 2024 Infrastructure Conference, CEDA convened leaders and policy makers for
meaningful dialogue on Australia's infrastructure investment, aimed at delivering 
projects with the utmost public benefit and value. 

Building on the past, shaping the future.

Explore conference highlights, opinion articles from industry thought leaders and more.


At the 2024 Infrastructure Conference, CEDA convened leaders and policy makers for
meaningful dialogue on Australia's infrastructure investment, aimed at delivering 
projects with the utmost public benefit and value. 

Building on the past, shaping the future.

Explore conference highlights, opinion articles from industry thought leaders and more.

EXPLORE OPINION ARTICLES

Skills shortage threatens Australia’s future prosperity
Australia has ambitious plans for the future of public and private infrastructure, yet we do not have the people and skills to turn that vision into a reality, writes David Simpson, Chief Executive Transport, The APP Group. READ MORE.

Olympics 2032: Can Brisbane come out a winner?
Despite optimistic estimates before the event, few host cities have experienced a sustained increase in tourism after holding the Games. This is, however, a point on which the Brisbane games may differ, writes Professor John Quiggin. READ MORE.

The state of mental health in the construction industry
Long work hours, high-pressure project targets and fixed-time contracts contribute to the infrastructure industry being deemed at high-risk for mental ill-health. Supporting mental wellbeing is vital to the industry's continued success, writes Grant Fuller and Professor Luke Downey. 
READ MORE.


Women in rail: breaking occupational segregation in the rail industry
Making the rail sector more appealing and inclusive for women and other candidates from diverse backgrounds is crucial to delivering the projected $155 billion in rail infrastructure investment across Australia over the next 15 years, writes National Rail Leader at GHD John Cranley. READ MORE.

Why we need investment in social infrastructure
Robust social infrastructure is essential for the good of our society and the growth of our economy, yet without adequate investment, rising demand from our ageing and growing population will not only cause drastic social and health problems but impact our future prosperity as well, writes Executive General Manager of Social Infrastructure at Australian Unity Ryan Banting.
READ MORE.

Keynote address: Federal Minister for Infrastructure, the Hon. Catherine King

At the 2024 Infrastructure Conference, the Hon. Catherine King joined CEDA to discuss the Federal Government's infrastructure reform agenda.

"Today, the Commonwealth is investing more money in infrastructure across Australia than at any point in our history – with the 10-year pipeline now sitting at a bit over $120 billion.

We are jointly funding more than 440 major projects across the nation, including 99 here in NSW.

With that investment, we are delivering nation shaping projects which support a range of economic and social objectives, including regional connectivity, liveability and safety – including our current commitment to major projects across this state like the $10.4 billion Sydney Metro to Western Sydney Airport and the $2.1 billion M1 Pacific Motorway Extension to Raymond Terrace."

EXPLORE OPINION ARTICLES

The Economic, Social and Environmental benefits of building up rather than out
Over the past few years, we’ve become all too aware that we don’t have enough homes in New South Wales. The ABS reports that residential rents in Sydney – the best barometer of housing affordability – rose 8.6 per cent over the 12 months to September 2023. For those struggling with the cost of keeping a roof over their heads, there seems to be little relief in sight. Earlier this month, the NSW Productivity Commission published the latest report in our housing series, What we gain by building more homes in the right places. We show that ‘building up’ rather than ‘out’ also has economic, social and environmental benefits, writes Peter Achterstraat AM, NSW Productivity Commissioner.READ MORE.

Invest in the invisible: connected freight to improve productivity and sustainability
There is a big task ahead to futureproof the freight system for a more productive, resilient and sustainable Australia. There needs to be a long-term, cohesive effort by governments and industry to get this right. Government’s role is to make targeted infrastructure investments and to create the right policy settings, so that industry has the confidence to invest in the right operations, writes WSP's Sam Potts and Jim Hirst. READ MORE.

Cities are Australia's superpower
How do we make our cities more productive? The economies of our cities have transformed markedly over the past 20 years and are increasingly dominated by ‘knowledge’ industries. To improve productivity in our knowledge industries, the core challenge is to ensure we fill our cities with talented people and that we create the conditions that enable them to be at their best, writes City Economist at the City of Melbourne Andrew Wear. READ MORE.


Tackling productivity challenges in Australia's infrastructure industry
To overcome stagnant productivity in the infrastructure industry, a comprehensive, multifaceted approach is required. This approach should encompass the development and retention of a skilled and diverse workforce, the adoption of digital technologies, the implementation of best governance practices, the reform of procurement processes, a rethink on our educational offerings and the prioritisation of mental health and continuous learning, writes Engineers Australia CEO Romilly Madew. READ MORE.

EV charging infrastructure key to affordable and just transition
Government and industry need a flexible approach to electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure to ensure EV adoption does not increase costs unnecessarily. Corporations and governments have a responsibility to get the balance right to ensure EV adoption is a part of a just transition, considering access and affordability, writes Roger Walker.
READ MORE.