More Cranes in the Sky Than Ever

Multi-national construction, property and management consultancy firm, Rider Levett Bucknall, said that the number of cranes erected on Australian sites has increased by 55 in the September quarter. This marks the most cranes ever in operation at once on Australian soil.

Sydney leads the way in the number of cranes in use, increasing its count from 348 to 380 over the last 6 months. The crane count in Melbourne also rose, due to higher activity in the residential, industrial, retail, commercial, health, recreation and civic sectors.

The CBD typically counts for 60% of cranes within a city, however, data shows that construction in the suburbs is beginning to take more of a hold.

While this growth is usually a good sign, there is concern that this increase in cranes reflects the overdemand in Australian construction, with supply and trade shortages still impacting the nation.

Domenic Schiafone, Rider Levett Bucknall’s Oceania Director of Research and Development welcoms the overall level of activity, but has expressed concern about the length of time which cranes are remaining on site.