Why It’s So Hard to Do Business in Victorian Construction Right Now | Annie Kessel CCF

Why is it becoming so difficult to do business in Victorian construction?

Annie Kessel, Executive Director of the Civil Contractors Federation Victoria, joins James on Jimmy Talks Construction for a wide-ranging conversation about the pressures facing contractors across the state — from fuel prices and rising costs to government red tape, labour shortages, housing, infrastructure and the future of the construction workforce.

James and Annie discuss the reality of trying to operate a construction business in Victoria, including the impact of fuel costs, material and labour increases, delays through authorities and approvals, uncertainty around infrastructure pipelines and the challenge of getting the industry's voice heard by government.

They also get into the growing skills shortage, why apprentices are often the first to disappear when the industry slows down, the number of experienced contractor owners approaching retirement and what construction needs to do to attract the next generation.

Topics include:

• Why construction businesses are under increasing pressure

• Fuel prices and fuel tax credits

• Government red tape and approval delays

• Victoria's infrastructure and housing pipeline

• Rising labour and material costs

• How CCF represents contractors to government

• The construction skills shortage