NSW and SEQ leading construction boom

A record 882 cranes were operational across Australia during the September quarter, according to Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB).

Of those 882 cranes, 554 were residential, which was a new record, and 328 non-residential, which was close to record levels. That included 77 cranes for mixed-use developments, 64 for commercial projects and 56 for civil projects.

RLB said the large number of cranes operating around the country correlated with robust economic activity.

“Total construction activity across Australia for the 2022 calendar year was up by 1.8%, or $3.9 billion, compared to 2021, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Construction activity in Q1 2023 continued this trend, rising 3.9% or $2.1 billion year-on-year.”

The cities with the most cranes in the September quarter were:

• Sydney = 401 (was 380 the previous year).
• Melbourne = 178 (206).
• Brisbane = 85 (82).
• Gold Coast = 61 (55).
• Perth = 50 (51).
• Sunshine Coast = 22 (16).
• Canberra = 21 (23).

Sydney, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast all recorded record numbers of cranes in the September quarter. 

Since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, total cranes within Australia have increased by 22% or 160 cranes. This has been driven by increases in Sydney (102) and south-east Queensland (Brisbane 27, Gold Coast 28, Sunshine Coast 11).