To ensure a steady supply of materials to Victoria’s infrastructure boom, the state government has announced a new $15.7 million plan to strengthen the quarry sector.
The strategy will aim to ensure high quality quarry materials are available at a competitive price for infrastructure projects.
For example, the Metro Tunnel will need 480,000 cubic metres of ready-mix concrete, 160,000 tonnes of other quarry materials and more than 30,000 squad metres of precast concrete panels.
A key focus of the strategy will be to reduce transport costs associated with infrastructure projects by locating quarries as close as possible to where the material is needed.
The strategy will aim to ensure a pipeline of raw construction materials will be able to support Victoria’s growing population, which is on track to double by 2050 according to the state government.
The Extractive Resources Strategy will also aim to work across government to increase the use of recycled material in road construction and reduce the demand for virgin materials.
Victorian Treasurer and Minister for Resources Tim Pallas said Victoria needs to make sure quarries can keep up with the demand of the state’s record investment into rail, road, schools and hospitals.
“An average of eight tonnes of stone, gravel and sand per Victorian is required every year to build the infrastructure Victorians need – this strategy will ensure our quarries can continue to supply this material and help Victoria grow,” Mr Pallas said.
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