The History of Cranes in Australia’s Commercial and Residential Industries

Can you imagine trying to undertake a commercial or residential project without a crane? That sounds like our biggest nightmare! Today, we’re taking a look back at how this crane story all started. The use of cranes in Australia continues to evolve, as our construction technology improves, and urban areas expand.
Early history
In the late 1800s, cranes were essential for handling cargo in Australia's bustling ports and harbors. These robust machines facilitated the loading and unloading of goods from ships, enabling efficient trade and commerce across the continent. From wool and grain to minerals and manufactured goods, cranes played a vital role in the transportation and distribution of Australia's diverse exports and imports, supporting the growth of its economy and international trade networks.
In the 19th century, cranes dominated skylines as they facilitated the erection of towering buildings and bridges, emblematic of urban growth and modernization in Sydney and Melbourne. Moreover, in remote regions, cranes played a crucial role in the development of mining operations, aiding in the extraction and transportation of valuable resources such as coal, gold, and iron ore.
Post-World War II expansion
From the 1940s to 1960s, Australia saw a construction boom after World War II. This led to the increased usage of cranes in both commercial and residential projects. This period marked the increase of high-rise construction in major cities.
Technological advancements and the rise of Lindores Mobile Cranes
From the 1970s onwards, the introduction of tower cranes revolutionised the construction industry in Australia. These cranes were essential for constructing taller buildings, particularly in the confined spaces of developing CBD’s.
In 1985, Lindores Cranes and Rigging was founded by Peter Lindores and started trading as Total Rigging. In 1993, Chris Austin pioneered the introduction of Mini and Mobile Cranes to Southeast Queensland, with his company Mini Cranes Queensland.
Recent developments
From the 2000s onwards there has been significant advancements in crane technology, including the more-widespread adoption of Mobile and Crawler cranes that offer versatility and efficiency. In 2007, Mini Cranes Queensland was passed on to the Lindores family. We officially changed the name of Queensland Mini Cranes to Lindores Mobile Cranes
in 2015.
Throughout this time, Lindores Mobile Cranes
has continued advocacy of the use of Mobile cranes in construction, industry, and manufacturing throughout Queensland.
The future
The current trend in the crane industry includes integrating digital technologies for better load management, real-time monitoring, and predictive maintenance. Automation and remote operation of cranes are becoming more prevalent, aiming to increase safety and efficiency.
To get Lindores Mobile Cranes
on your next job, give us a call on 📞 07 3376 0611.
The Liftout

When people think of crane hire, they often picture towering construction sites or major infrastructure projects. But across Southeast Queensland, an increasing number of residential builders are considering mobile cranes as an essential tool onsite. At Lindores Mobile Cranes , we’ve seen first-hand how reliable crane hire can simplify and speed up residential builds. Smarter Lifting for Modern Home Builds As homes get larger, blocks get smaller, and architectural designs become more complex, the need for precision lifting has never been greater. Roofing materials, structural steel, and even prefabricated walls often need to be placed quickly and safely in hard-to-reach locations. Our mobile cranes, including Mini Crawlers and Frannas , make light work of these tasks. This saves builders time, reduces manual handling, and improves site safety. With our experienced operators on board, there’s no guesswork, no delays, and no unnecessary risk. Explore our mobile crane fleet Tight Access? No Problem. Many of Brisbane’s older suburbs, like Paddington, Spring Hill, and Petrie Terrace, come with tight driveways, steep slopes, and minimal space for materials. That’s where compact mobile cranes and mini crawlers shine. They’re designed to work in confined spaces without compromising lifting capacity or site safety. We regularly help builders lift roofing, frames, pools, and more into hard-to-access sites, without the need for expensive site modifications or lengthy manual labour. Supporting the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast Residential Market It’s not just Brisbane where we’re seeing demand. Across the Sunshine Coast, with its steep hinterland blocks, and the Gold Coast, where many homes are built close to canals or high-density zones, mobile crane hire is becoming a key part of building smarter, safer homes. Crane Hire That Fits the Residential Build Schedule We know how critical timing is for builders. Delays in lifting can hold up entire stages of the project. That’s why we offer flexible booking options, fast response times, and a commitment to showing up when we say we will. It’s part of the reason why so many residential builders across Southeast Queensland trust Lindores Mobile Cranes for their lifting needs. Ready to Lift Smarter on Your Next Build? No matter the project, our team has the equipment and expertise to help. Contact our team today by calling us on 07 3376 0611 or email lmcops@lmcranes.com.au.

Urban construction across Brisbane’s inner suburbs, like Brisbane City, Fortitude Valley and West End, presents a unique challenge. Limited street access, tight driveways, weight-restricted concrete slabs, and close proximity to neighbouring buildings mean that traditional mobile cranes simply won’t fit. At Lindores Mobile Cranes , we’ve seen how mini crawler cranes are transforming the way construction is carried out on these sites. Compact, precise, and highly mobile, these machines are fast becoming essential for projects across Queensland . Rethinking Lifting for Urban Environments In city and suburban projects, space is at a premium. Construction teams often deal with narrow laneways, busy streets, or strict local council rules that make large-scale crane operations unfeasible. In some cases, access is so restricted that conventional lifting equipment can’t get anywhere near the job site. That’s where mini crawler cranes come in. Built specifically for tight and complex environments, these machines allow builders to lift heavy materials safely and efficiently, without the need for wide access or extensive setup areas. See our full fleet of mobile and mini cranes. Compact Size, Serious Capability Despite their size, mini crawler cranes don’t compromise on performance. Designed to operate in confined spaces, they’re able to move through narrow driveways and even fit inside buildings if required. Their rubber tracks reduce surface pressure, making them safe for use on rooftops or polished concrete slabs, and their zero tail-swing allows for safe manoeuvring in environments with little margin for error. These features make them ideal for everything from steel erection and glass installation to HVAC placement and residential renovations. We’ve supported projects as varied as boutique homes in New Farm and shopfront fit outs in Surfers Paradise , proving how versatile these compact machines really are. Designed for the Modern Job Site Mini crawler cranes are an increasingly popular choice for residential builds, renovations, and even commercial fit outs across Queensland. Their small footprint and fast setup time mean less downtime, lower costs, and fewer headaches when working in restricted-access environments. Ready to Lift Smarter in Tight Spaces? At Lindores Mobile Cranes , we’ve helped countless clients across Brisbane , the Gold Coast , and South East Queensland navigate complex job sites with ease. Our team can advise you on the right crane for your lift, organise pre-lift planning, and provide experienced operators who understand the ins and outs of working in urban environments. Contact our team today by calling 07 3376 0611 or email lmcorps@lmcranes.com.au.