Cranes a visual symbol of WA’s strong economy

FOR a tourist visiting Perth, the image of the city skyline dotted with cranes is cause for curiosity of what the city could look like after the current construction mayhem.

A variety of tourist travel blogs have documented the interest in the number of cranes strewn across the urban landscape, with one traveller upset she won't be able to experience the final product.

"It's just a shame that I won't see Perth after its facelift, as I am sure that it will be an even more inviting place once the works are done," the blogger wrote.

The seemingly unending vision of cranes also drew the attention of WA Business News, where a quick scoot around the city counted about 30 cranes in operation from West Perth through to East Perth and up to Brisbane Street in Northbridge.

The rising trend of inner city living towards the south-east end of the city between Hill Street and Victoria Avenue was a hive of construction activity, with the block alone hosting seven cranes.

According to WorkSafe, where cranes have to be registered before operation, there is an estimated 25 to 30 cranes in action, with a further four cranes currently awaiting operational approval.

It is arguably one of the biggest construction booms in the history of Perth at any one time, a sign of prosperous times and booming business for crane companies.

For Malaga-based crane hire firm, Tom's Cranes, it's now a matter of keeping up with demand.

The company currently has several of its tower cranes on a number of construction projects in the city, including the St Mary's Cathedral refurbishment and the new performing arts centre.

Owner John Martinazzo said the company has experienced an escalation of enquiries over the past year, and as a result has started a new venture with a Chinese crane manufacturer, Fushun Yongmao Construction Machinery Co Ltd, to become its agent.

"The venture is to meet supply and expand.

We brought the first crane over from China in November last year, and we've got one in Maylands and more coming in," Mr Martinazzo told WA Business News.

"That's just to meet demand." The company, which was founded in 1974, had predominately sourced its cranes from Europe; but to better compete with its main rival, D&G Hoist and Crane Hire, it had also taken the role of agent, Mr Martinazzo said.

The company currently has jobs booked in for the next two years, with an estimated value of about $3 million.

Mr Martinazzo added that since enquiries have increased over the past year, the company's projects value has been around the $7 million mark.

Looking ahead, Mr Martinazzo believes Perth residents and tourists will see the city skyline dotted with cranes for at least the next three years, and also in outer suburbs where the company is fielding enquiries from places such as Maylands, Joondalup, Hamilton Hill and Osborne Park.