RLB CRANE INDEX®

Crane numbers also rose in the West, up 11 cranes to 33, driven by new data centres and the Melton Hospital. There was a large decline in the CBD & Surrounds (down 26 cranes to 57) driven by a net loss of 21 residential cranes. Crane numbers also fell by 7 in the North region.

Currently, residential projects account for 41% of all cranes in Melbourne, down from around 50% in the 2021 to 2025 period. Civil projects make up 36%, up from around 10% a few years ago. The uplift in civil activity is mainly due to the North East Link and Suburban Rail Loop transport projects, which together account for 72 of Melbourne’s 207 cranes (35%). There has been a significant decline in the number of commercial cranes, from 25 in 2022, to 13 in Q3 2025 to just 5 in Q1 2026.

Major projects:

• North East Link (55 cranes across multiple sites)
• Suburban Rail Loop (17 cranes across multiple sites)
• CDC Laverton Data Centre, Laverton (seven cranes)
•  M3 Data Centre: Stages 2 & 3, West Footscray (five cranes)
• Regatta at Collins Wharf, Docklands (four cranes)
• Y7 Docklands (three cranes)
• Home Albert Park, Melbourne (three cranes)
• 25 River Boulevard, Richmond (three cranes)

Melbourne’s Inner saw a decrease of 26 cranes this edition, bringing the regional total to 57. Over the past six months, 15 cranes were added, and 41 were removed.

Melbourne’s East saw an increase of 28 cranes this edition, bringing the regional total to 59. Over the past six months, 28 cranes were added, and 0 were removed. The North East Link and SRL projects were the major drivers in the increase in crane activity in Melbourne’s East.

Melbourne’s North saw a decrease of 7 cranes this edition, bringing the regional total to 28. Over the past six months, 12 cranes were added, and 19 were removed. The North East Link has 14 cranes operating.

Melbourne’s South saw an increase of 1 crane for a total of 26. Over the past six months, 19 cranes were added, and 18 were removed. The SRL is the major project in the region, with cranes at Clayton, Heatherton, Clarinda.

Melbourne’s West saw an increase of 11 cranes this edition, bringing the regional total to 33. Over the past six months, 28 cranes were added, and 17 were removed. Data Centre construction activity now dominates Melbourne’s West, with 18 cranes operating.

Geelong saw an increase of 1 crane this edition, bringing the regional total to 4. Total construction work done in Victoria in 2025 was $77 billion, down 1.5% compared to 2024. Engineering fell 6.2%, residential activity grew by 4.8%, and non residential activity fell by 4.9%.