New figures show the Andrews Labor Government has overseen an unprecedented building boom in Victoria, with engineering construction growth the strongest in the nation since December 2014.

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data released today shows that Victorian engineering construction has grown 39.8 per cent since the Labor Government was elected.

This is more than 10 per cent higher than South Australia (29.4) and NSW (28.9), while construction activity in Queensland, Tasmania and WA contracted during the same period.

Victoria’s extraordinary construction figures are in marked contrast to the period under the former Liberal and National Government, when construction activity contracted nearly 20 per cent.

The Labor Government’s unprecedented infrastructure pipeline has primed construction growth across the state and played a significant role in creating more than 300,000 jobs for Victorians since November 2014.

In the year to December 2017, Victoria’s engineering construction activity grew by 17 per cent – almost doubling the national average of just 9.9 per cent.

The ABS engineering construction figures also show Victoria continued to grow by two per cent during the December 2017 quarter, despite national figures falling more than 35 per cent.

Engineering construction includes civil engineering works such as roads, railways, tunnels and bridges, as well as dams, long-distance pipelines, power lines and construction for mining, manufacturing, and recreation facilities.

Quotes attributable to Treasurer Tim Pallas

“Our nation-leading engineering construction growth since 2014 is testament to our focus on delivering the infrastructure Victoria needs.”

“We are building a strong and prosperous Victoria, one that fosters economic growth and jobs creation through our infrastructure pipeline.”