The Queensland government has introduced the Procurement Policy 2026, a sweeping reform aimed squarely at embedding sustainability and circularity across the state’s construction sector.
Taking effect from January 1, 2026, the policy sets a clear direction for government purchasing, designed to drive innovation, promote resource efficiency, and lower the carbon footprint of public infrastructure.
The new framework establishes firm standards for environmental responsibility while aiming to stimulate economic and social benefits, placing sustainability at the core of Queensland’s future planning and delivery.
“This policy recognises that every dollar of government procurement can help build a more sustainable, circular and resilient Queensland,” said Michael Kilgariff, Chief Executive Officer of Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia.
“It puts sustainability at the centre of how we plan and deliver infrastructure and rewards the responsible use of resources.”
Practical innovation is already a hallmark of Queensland’s heavy construction materials sector.
Among its leading practices are the development of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for cement and concrete products, which provide transparent, independently verified environmental data, and the expansion of low-carbon concrete mixes incorporating recycled materials such as fly ash, slag, calcined clays, and recycled fines.
These initiatives have demonstrated potential to cut embodied carbon in concrete by up to 40 per cent, setting a benchmark for climate-positive construction.
Another cornerstone of the sector’s sustainability achievements is the recycling of millions of tonnes of construction waste annually, transforming this waste into valuable aggregate and road base.
Such circular practices keep precious resources in use and minimise the state’s landfill burden.
Ongoing collaboration between industry and government is also focused on refining End of Waste Codes and further streamlining recycling regulations for low-risk materials, including concrete washout and recycled aggregates.
“Our industry is committed to Queensland’s net-zero ambitions,” Kilgariff said.
“By improving waste-reuse frameworks and embedding sustainable procurement, we can cut emissions, strengthen local supply chains and support regional jobs.”
The Procurement Policy 2026 lays the foundation for Queensland to lead at a national scale, leveraging procurement, recycling, and waste reform to deliver not only cleaner infrastructure but also stronger economic outcomes and improved community benefits.
“By aligning procurement, recycling and waste reform, Queensland can deliver cleaner infrastructure, a stronger economy and better outcomes for the community,” Kilgariff explained.
“Our sector stands ready to work with government to ensure every infrastructure dollar builds a greener future.”
To support these ambitions, the sector has also highlighted the importance of ensuring concrete standards — such as MRTS 70 for major transport projects and AS 1379 for broader applications — remain future-ready, adaptable to new lower-carbon technologies and innovative practices in concrete production.
The policy’s focus on outcome-driven targets, innovation pilots, and supplier development promises to streamline government contracting, reduce red tape, and prioritise Queensland businesses and jobs, creating a lasting legacy for both industry and community.
