Brisbane's Crane Decline

Brisbane suffered the biggest decline in cranes standing across its city, while coastal neighbour the Gold Coast recorded a 33 per cent increase, according to the latest Rider Levett Bucknall Crane Index.

Brisbane is home to a remaining 59 cranes, down from 72 counted six months ago.

Based on the idea that cranes in the sky reflect major project construction, the RLB index tracks the number of tower cranes in key Australian cities to indicate the strength of the construction sector.

Brisbane’s decline reflects the fall in building work done for the calendar year 2018.

The residential sector declined by 7.2 per cent, with declines recorded for both new houses and apartments, and the nonresidential sector fell by 4.2 per cent.

The overall decline of eight cranes in inner Brisbane was driven by the mixed-use sector.

Cranes were removed from Howard Smith Wharves, 949 Ann Street, Queens Wharf and South City Square based in inner Brisbane which accounted for eight dismantled cranes.

The residential count of cranes sits at 42.

Residential projects nearing completion include the Skyneedle Apartments with all three cranes removed, Student One’s 97 Elizabeth Street which had two cranes removed.

New projects where cranes commenced were recorded in Brisbane, Bulimba, Greenslopes, Hamilton, Kangaroo Point, New Farm, Newstead, South Brisbane, Toowong, Westend, Windsor and Yeronga.

Crane spotting on the Goldie

The Gold Coast continues its upward trajectory on the crane index, recording a 33 per cent rise.

Eighteen cranes were added and ten were removed bringing the coast’s total to 32.

The residential sector makes up 94 per cent of all Gold Coast cranes, with the highest number located in the Palm beach area.

New residential cranes were added to developments, including Bluewater in Bilinga, Vue Apartments and Elysian in Broadbeach.

Jewel will be Australia’s largest beachfront mixed-use development when complete, by developer Yuhu Group. Work continues at the Jewel Residences, two cranes were removed from the project, leaving two on site.

Other projects with continuing cranes include Anchorage Apartments in Hope Island, Otto in Mermaid, the Jefferson in Palm Beach, South Lakes Stage 3 in Reedy Creek, 23 Norman Street and 6 Meron Street in Southport.

Source: Urban Developer Newsletter