RLB CRANE INDEX®

Total construction work across the Sunshine State for the first three quarters of FY 2023 has eased slightly by 1.7%, when compared to the same period of FY2022. The level of activity for the three quarters of FY2023 is $26.6B compared to $27.0B for the same period in FY 2022. The fall in work is mostly in residential housing, which declined by $0.6B or 9.8%. At the same time, non-residential increased by 4.3%, while engineering work fell by 1.0%.

The largest project in terms of crane numbers in the region continues to be the Queen’s Wharf project, with seven cranes assisting in construction activities (down from eight in the previous edition).

The residential sector continues to be the largest in Brisbane, accounting for 39% of all cranes (33 of 85 cranes). This is significantly lower than in both Melbourne and Sydney, where residential cranes account for 53% and 65% of all cranes in each city, respectively.

While civil cranes represent the second largest sector in Brisbane, it recorded the largest net increase in crane numbers (four cranes). Nine new cranes were erected. Five cranes were removed from civil sector projects.

The education sector was the only sector to see a decrease in net crane numbers. Four cranes were removed.

The commercial sector saw eight new cranes erected.

The Brisbane CBD and surrounding area continues to host the majority—at 67%—of cranes across the city. Crane numbers increased by seven, with 16 removals and 23 additions. With eight cranes on-site, Queen’s Wharf’s continues to be the largest project by crane number within the region.

Activity in Brisbane’s east remains stagnant, with no movement in crane numbers. One crane remains on the Clearview Urban Village project.

The north has seen a significant growth in crane numbers, with 17 cranes in the skies as of the latest count, up from 11. A total of three cranes were removed, while nine new cranes were put in place.

Cranes across the south fell by seven, and no new cranes were added.

Crane activity in Brisbane’s west increased to eight cranes, with four additions offset by two removals.