CCF SA member survey
In the run up to the election, we surveyed members to find out what their key issues were.
Increased participation in major projects is the key issue that South Australia’s civil contractors want addressed by the next State Government. More than 75% of member companies raised the issue of increased participation as something that needed to be urgently addressed. Many believe that they have effectively been locked out of major local projects by inappropriate procurement processes and poorly implemented local participation rules.
The need for a detailed, long term infrastructure plan, with a consistent spread of work for all sized contractors, was another major issue raised by contractors, ahead of high state taxes, too much red tape and a shortage in skills.
The key concerns identified in the survey were:
• Increased participation by local contractors in major projects, and the parceling of projects into more smaller projects, which would have greater local contractor involvement;
• The need for a detailed long term (20 year) infrastructure plan with a consistent spread of work for all sized contractors;
• High state government taxes;
• The standardisation of procurement processes across state and local governments and a reduction in the red tape that reduces efficiencies and increases construction costs; and
• Skill shortages and support for civil construction training.
Women in civil
The inaugural meeting of “Women in Civil” was held recently in Mount Gambier. This networking function is a new initiative designed to provide a support group for women in a male dominated industry.
These meetings will be held for women around the state on a regular basis, and are aimed to attract all women in civil construction, from plant operators to administration, engineers to business partners. As well as networking, there will be opportunities for professional development and this will be a step in recognising the growing role that women are playing in the civil construction industry.
