Cable hauling set for telecoms construction boost

Cable hauling equipment hire could be set to rise following news that Australia's telecommunications construction investment remains healthy.

New figures from the Australian Industry Group/Australian Constructors Association Construction Outlook survey found telecoms work will "remain robust" over the coming years.

The report pointed to the ongoing development of the National Broadband Network (NBN) as a primary driver for the industry, with related investment acting as a supplementary benefit.

Construction activity is also expected to stay solid in the oil and gas sector, which may see a rise in the need for earthmoving equipment such as excavators and diggers.

Civil projects such as terminals and ports will continue to perform well in 2013-14, the survey claimed, although this may tail off in the following year.

The figures showed the value of engineering and commercial construction work jumped 10.6 per cent in 2012-13 and is expected to rise a further two per cent this financial year.

This will slow slightly in the following year to one per cent growth in nominal terms, which will represent a fall in real terms.

Commercial construction will pick up in 2014-15 however, rising from one per cent growth in the previous year to 4.4 per cent.