The Schrinner Council is strengthening operations at its Mt Coot-tha and Bracalba quarries through to 2032 to help meet soaring infrastructure demand ahead of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Brisbane’s unprecedented construction boom and $127.5 billion infrastructure pipeline are driving record demand for quarry materials across south-east Queensland.
Brisbane City Council is the only Council in South East Queensland to own its own quarries, with one 30-hectare quarry located at Mt Coot-tha and another 603-hectare quarry located at Bracalba.
The contracts that currently service Council’s quarries will expire by the end of 2027, with new long-term contracts set to secure quarry services through to 2032 and beyond.
The contracts will support quarry operations through services including quarry product cartage, drill and blast activities, equipment maintenance, specialist mobile plant hire and the supply of spare parts.
The city’s quarries already operate with support from specialist external providers and this approach will build on those existing partnerships to increase capacity and secure long-term supply.
Bracalba Quarry production has more than doubled over the past decade, with further expansion planned and more than 100 years of reserves available at current usage levels to help meet growing infrastructure demand.
Based on current usage, Mt Coot-tha Quarry has around a decade worth of materials remaining and will also continue playing a critical role in supplying asphalt aggregates in the lead up to 2032 as planning continues for the long-term transformation of the Mt Coot-tha precinct.
The quarries supply essential materials used in road construction, transport upgrades and major infrastructure projects across Brisbane, including asphalt aggregates, concrete aggregates, road base and drainage materials.
The staggered tender process will begin from 29 May through Council’s supplier portal.
Quotes attributable to Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner
“Brisbane is entering the biggest infrastructure build period our city has ever seen and we need the materials to deliver it.
“These contracts will help secure the quarry supply needed to support major projects in the lead up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“We’re planning ahead now to ensure Brisbane can continue delivering critical transport and infrastructure upgrades while keeping Brisbane moving.
Quotes attributable to Infrastructure Chair, Cr Ryan Murphy
“Our quarries already play a major role in building Brisbane, and these long-term arrangements will help strengthen that capacity for the region’s infrastructure delivery pipeline into 2032.
“Every road resurfacing project, major transport upgrade and new infrastructure build starts with high quality materials, these contracts help secure that pipeline.
“This is about making sure Brisbane has the strong foundations needed for 2032 and beyond.”
Quotes attributable to CEO of the QLD Major Contractors Association, Andrew Chapman
“Investments, like what Council are doing today, are really important to ensure we can sustain the engine that is going to deliver the infrastructure for the state.
“I commend Brisbane City Council for leading the way to secure future rock and aggregate supply for South East Queensland.
“With a massive pipeline of infrastructure projects ahead, demand for quarry materials will only continue to grow.
“South East Queensland needs more than 31.5 million tonnes of rock and aggregate every year, but we’re currently producing just 24.5 million tonnes from a dwindling supply base.”
