Electricity, gas, water and waste services (EGWW) sector cost inflation has slowed from the very high rates of the immediate post-COVID period.
Annual EGWW cost inflation in Australia, according to our estimates, surged during calendar 2022, driven by robust construction activity, capacity constraints, high commodity prices, material shortages, escalating shipping costs, and labour shortages due to employment growth and low immigration. However, a moderation in annual EGWW cost inflation was observed over the year to June 2023.
We expect EGWW costs to return to a more normal level of inflation over the year to June 2024. This slowdown in cost inflation is influenced by the decline in commodity prices, improved supply chains, and weakened demand in the building and the general economy.
An extraordinary upswing in electricity, gas, water and waste services (EGWW) construction is currently underway. This is the third boom in a ten year period. EGWW construction entered its third boom in 2021/22. This growth cycle is expected to last for three more years, reaching a peak in June 2026, before another downturn.
Resources Sector Construction Costs Outlook
This report examines the outlook for construction costs, in detail be sector and type of input.
Electricity, Gas and Water: Cost & Activity Forecasts
Electricity, gas, water and waste services (EGWW) sector cost inflation has slowed from the very high rates of the immediate post-COVID period.
Annual EGWW cost inflation in Australia, according to our estimates, surged during calendar 2022, driven by robust construction activity, capacity constraints, high commodity prices, material shortages, escalating shipping costs, and labour shortages due to employment growth and low immigration. However, a moderation in annual EGWW cost inflation was observed over the year to June 2023.
We expect EGWW costs to return to a more normal level of inflation over the year to June 2024. This slowdown in cost inflation is influenced by the decline in commodity prices, improved supply chains, and weakened demand in the building and the general economy.
An extraordinary upswing in electricity, gas, water and waste services (EGWW) construction is currently underway. This is the third boom in a ten year period. EGWW construction entered its third boom in 2021/22. This growth cycle is expected to last for three more years, reaching a peak in June 2026, before another downturn.
Australian Construction Outlook – Utilities
This report highlights the main drivers of the current upturn in utilities construction – strong focus towards renewable energy investment, additional spending on the NBN and a recovery on the construction of gas pipelines
Australian Regional Construction Outlook
Our latest regional forecasts for residential building and construction have just been released.
Australian Construction Projects Database
This latest list of projects corresponds with our fully revised set of forecasts published in November 2023.
Australian Construction Materials Forecasts
Our latest forecasts assess the implications for construction materials demand of the outlook for each segment of building and construction work.
Renewable Energy Construction Outlook
This report examines the strength and composition of the current upturn, and determines the likely timing of the peak, and subsequent decline.
Non-Residential Building – Office Construction Outlook
This report examines the current high office vacancy rates across the country. Our analysis describes its causes and forecasts the timing of the upturn and peak broken down by each state.
Australian Construction Outlook – Transport Infrastructure
This report provides a detailed picture of the current upturn in infrastructure construction, including the timing of major projects, key drivers, and the expected timing of the peak and next downturn.
Australian Construction Outlook – Non-Residential Building
This report examines the current downturn underway in the non-residential building sector, describes its causes and forecasts the timing of the coming recovery, by sector and state.