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Demographics

Australia’s global cities are defined by crane cityscapes

Australia’s cities are rising vertically as iconic, global cities and are part of our changing national identity. New vertical communities are rising up across Australia where people shop, wine & dine, work and reside in high-rise buildings built by cranes.

New research reveals that Australia’s total crane count is 735, the same as it was 6 months ago. Cranes are a leading indicator of infrastructure development and according to the latest RLB Crane Index, Australia still has the name number of cranes as it did six months ago, despite a slight correction in the residential market. This means that non-residential investment in infrastructure is still strong. Of the 735 cranes across Australia, 530 are for residential projects and 205 are for non-residential projects like civil, commercial and education infrastructure. [wpdatachart id=1]

Sydney declines in the number of cranes, but Melbourne surges to a new record high

7 in 10 cranes are located in Australia’s two largest cities Sydney and Melbourne (72%). As Australia’s largest city and most densely populated city, Sydney (with more than 5 million residents) had a total crane count of 310. Sydney’s crane total decreased by 11 in the last six months dropping from 321 in Q3 2018.

Melbourne, Australia’s fastest growing capital city, which grew by  125,424 people in the last year, added 30 cranes overall to improve their total crane count to 222. This is a new record high for Melbourne rising to more than 200 cranes for the first time since the RBL Crane index began.

Sydney’s regions at a glance

The largest number of cranes in Sydney are in the North of Sydney, slightly edging out the Inner Sydney region by one crane. The West declined the largest amount in the last six months decreasing from 78 cranes to 57, a decline of 21 cranes in the last six months. [wpdatatable id=22]

Melbourne’s regions at a glance

South East Melbourne and Inner Melbourne both increased by 12 cranes in the last six months. The West region of Melbourne declined by five cranes. [wpdatatable id=23]

The future of vertical communities as we approach a population of 30 million

Australia’s population is forecast to grow from 25.3 million in 2019 to 30 million by 2030. New communities will still spread through traditional low density detached houses across the suburbs, however the home, school and workplace of the future is increasingly likely to be built using a crane.

Australia Towards 2031

This essential report is full of insights to help businesses and organisations explore the demographic, consumer and behavioural trends shaping the nation.