While approvals for new apartment developments have slowed, construction activity remains strong according to the latest Rider Levett Bucknall Crane Index.

The index tracks crane installations and removals across Australian building sites to measure construction progress.

In the third quarter, 493 cranes were active on residential projects nationwide, with 134 added and 176 removed.

Adelaide saw a slight increase with 10 cranes, up from nine earlier this year, while Brisbane had 33 cranes compared to 35 in Q1, with the residential sector making up half of the city’s crane activity.

Canberra experienced growth, with 17 cranes on residential projects, up from 14, while the Gold Coast also saw an increase to 57 cranes from 53. In contrast, Melbourne had 80 cranes, down from 107 at the start of the year. Perth saw a small rise to 29 cranes, up from 27, while Sydney had 232 cranes, a decrease from 251 earlier in the year.