PROCUREMENT CONFERENCE 2022

Procurement to Achieve a Sustainable, Viable NSW Civil Construction Industry

The CCF NSW 2022 Procurement Conference had an eye toward the coming NSW election, and again featured a stellar line-up of speakers. It proved an outstanding opportunity for learning, ideas exchange, and all-important networking for industry leaders.

The CCF NSW 2022 Procurement Conference was held at the Hyatt Regency Sydney on 28 July, as CCF NSW danced nimbly through COVID spikes.

The day’s keynote address was delivered by the Hon. Rob Stokes, MP, NSW Minister for Infrastructure, Cities and Active Transport.

After an introduction from CCF NSW CEO David Castledine, Minister Stokes spoke very highly about the advocacy of the CCF NSW, saying, “Let me assure you that what CCF does in its advocacy for your industry is extremely good. I see a lot of advocacy bodies, a lot, and [CCF NSW] is at the very top of that list. They explain things well and bring solutions that are evidence-based and socialised within industry. And I can assure you, no-one in Parliament House is left wondering what David’s view is on something. That’s very good. Frustrating – but very good.”

The Minister spoke about the NSW Government’s intentions for reforms to procurement in civil infrastructure in the final months prior to the election. Specifically, he talked to the importance of better utilising Tier 2 and below companies to construct more sustainability within the industry. His speech, delivered as per usual without notes, spoke of the importance of civil to “the three Ps: Prosperity, People and Productivity”.

To balance out the political narrative, we later heard from John Graham, MLC, Shadow NSW Minister for Roads, who presented Labor’s vision and intentions for procurement of infrastructure in NSW. Mr Graham made it clear an ALP Government would “be for business” and that the civil industry was going to continue to be very important for the economy of the State should the ALP form Government in 2023. Moving from the political to governance, Simon Draper, CEO of Infrastructure NSW, delivered the Government’s 2022 update to the 20-year State Infrastructure Strategy. As INSW is also charged with facilitating much of the allagency, NSW-wide infrastructure procurement reform, he provided an update on those reforms.

CCF NSW CEO David Castledine offered the industry perspective on the recently released 2022-23 NSW Budget and updated all on CCF NSW’s advocacy on the important issues impacting civil.

We then moved from governance to delivery. We had sessions from Transport for NSW leaders Pamela Henderson, Executive Director, and Camilla Drover, Deputy Secretary for Infrastructure and Place. Ms Henderson provided insight into the performance measures that are being considered to embed environmental sustainability into TfNSW’s infrastructure procurement, and the importance of industry working with TfNSW to achieve transitioning to decarbonisation and a circular economy. Ms Drover explained how TfNSW is helping industry to make it more sustainable and resilient.

To finish the day, we heard from contractors on the most topical of subjects – the impact of cost escalation on supply chain and labour costs. A panel of contractors comprising Mick Boyle (Abergeldie Complex infrastructure), Gladys Woods (Haslin Constructions), Rob Monaci (Georgiou Group) and John Vida (BMD) was umpired facilitated by David Castledine.

In what was an absolutely fascinating exchange between some truly bright and experienced contractor minds, the panel discussed hyper-escalation. Specifically, they covered off on the magnitude (remember, this was in July!), the delayed impact it would have on the industry down the chain, and the strategies that can be used to manage it. They laid out the pain (lots of head-nodding in the room) and even allowed David to tease out the three secret takeaways contractors should deploy to protect their business (sorry…you had to be there!).

It was a fascinating, informative and thought-provoking day with illuminating presentations and challenging audience participation. We thank all our presenters and attendees on the day and a big thank you to our event sponsors.

Thank you to our Sponsors MAJOR SPONSOR

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