The extra dimension to the crane index - and what it means for the Illawarra
Plus a handy Easter tip from the Lord Mayor
A quarterly crane census places the Illawarra among Australia’s strongest-performing construction markets in Q1 2026. The numbers behind the number are what matter.
Wollongong added five cranes in the first quarter of 2026, reaching a count of 25 - a 25 per cent increase in a single quarter.
Sydney, in the same period, shed 24 cranes, a 6.5 per cent contraction. The Central Coast lost five, down 38.5 per cent. While the rest of NSW pulls back, the Illawarra is moving in the opposite direction.
The source is the RLB Crane Index, a quarterly census conducted by global construction consultancy Rider Levett Bucknall that has tracked crane activity across Australia’s major cities since 2012. It is the closest thing the industry has to a real-time map of where capital is committing to the ground.
New South Wales accounts for 46 per cent of all cranes nationally, with Sydney (346 cranes) still the undisputed epicentre of Australian construction activity. But state-level aggregates tend to flatten the regional picture. This quarter, the regional picture is worth examining.
What the composition reveals
The raw count matters less than what is driving it. Mixed-use cranes in Wollongong jumped from seven to 10, now representing 40 per cent of all regional activity. Residential cranes, by contrast, fell from nine to eight, dropping to just 32 per cent of the total.
That difference is significant. A market where mixed-use and civil activity crowds out pure residential is a market with a more diversified and durable foundation.
Port Kembla
The most consequential data point this quarter may be the least visible to a casual observer. Two new civil cranes were added at Port Kembla Land Transformation Project - a long-horizon industrial project tied to the decarbonisation of the port precinct and its repositioning as a renewable energy and advanced manufacturing hub. Civil cranes are infrastructure cranes. They do not appear for apartment towers or retail precincts. Their presence at Port Kembla signals a category of investment that is qualitatively different from the residential and mixed-use activity elsewhere in the region, and directly connected to the energy transition ambitions that are reshaping the Illawarra’s economic identity.
The CBD
New mixed-use cranes appeared at 120 Smith Street, 111–119 Crown Street, 300 Crown Street and The Works Corrimal this quarter. That is four separate sites adding density to the CBD and inner suburbs in the same reporting period.
Private capital is moving, too. The Illawarra Grammar School added a crane this quarter for a multi-million dollar capital works project. Is it a sign that metropolitan families are relocating to the region in growing numbers, drawn by the prospect of quality education at a price point the harbour city can no longer offer? Well … more on that next week.
Wollongong has recorded targeted gains for several consecutive quarters. But this quarter’s result — 25 per cent growth against a contracting Sydney market — marks something more than incremental progress. It is a market that has changed shape.
As it’s a short week, we’re getting in early for a few of the weekly wrap-type headlines you may have missed. Enjoy some downtime, it’s been a full-bore start to the new year …
Hospitality sector leverages four-step loop for social good
Illawarra businesses are adopting a streamlined approach to waste management through a new WhatsApp initiative hosted by Healthy Cities Australia. The platform allows local cafés, primary producers, and hospitality venues to redirect surplus food to charities in real time. According to Fair Food coordinator Grace Potter, the group simplifies the donation process, helping businesses navigate cost-of-living pressures and environmental concerns without added operational “hassle.”
The initiative is already yielding tangible results for regional small businesses. Brown Sugar Espresso donates surplus baked goods to Vinnies five days a week. Beyond environmental benefits, local food relief agencies report that these donations serve as a critical entry point for social services.
How it works
The system operates on a simple four-step logistical loop:
Businesses and agencies join the dedicated WhatsApp group.
Donors post specific details regarding food type and location.
Charities coordinate immediate collection via the chat.
Surplus goods are distributed directly to households in need.
Interested businesses can join the group here.
Shellharbour breakwall’s $4m repair fund boost
The NSW Government has committed $4 million to repair the Shellharbour Breakwall, marking its first major upgrade in over a decade. This investment aims to restore the deteriorating structure while preserving its status as a significant regional heritage landmark. According to official statements from the NSW Government, the project focuses on essential safety and infrastructure renewals to allow for public reopening.
The scope of work includes repairing the concrete crest and installing edge protection where drops exceed one meter. Planned upgrades will also improve pedestrian access by widening pathways and mitigating risks associated with the underlying rock shelf.
“This is a practical investment in a valued community asset that locals have been calling for,” Member for Shellharbour, Anna Watson said. “It means families and visitors will be able to safely enjoy the breakwall again, while protecting an important piece of our local history.”
Check out the backyard
You have to hand it to Wollongong City Council, given the cost-of-living issues facing us all right now, a reminder of what’s in front of our faces was timely right before Easter.
“We’re encouraging resident to take a look at Wollongong through the eyes of a tourist – there’s so much to see and do. And you don’t even need to drive great distances to do it,’’ Lord Mayor Councillor Tania Brown said.
The Wollongong Botanic Garden is open over the long weekend – except Good Friday; there are kilometres of beaches, but you’d only swim between the flags on the 17 patrolled beaches in the LGA; Wollongong Art Gallery is open Saturday and Sunday; plus there are more than 140 playgrounds across the city. Some of the most popular are Towradgi Beach Playground, Cringila Hills Playground and Bankbook Park in Wongawilli.
Tourism goes head-to-head-to head
There are eight candidates for NSW Top Tourism Town of 2026 - and three of them are in the Illawarra. Wollongong, Shellharbour, and defending state champs, Kiama, are all finalists in the top award, along with Ballina, Forbes, Coffs Harbour, Moree and Orange. You can help decide the winner by voting here.
Big ticket
There’s all manner of activities this weekend, but how can you go past anything named The Great Bunny Heist and the Bunny Training Academy? Check out the details here to see if it suits your needs.
Congrats …
To Carlie Belancic for this simple, but significant post on LinkedIn: “April 1st: The one day a year we question what we read on social media. Wild idea ... let's try it again tomorrow.”