A Towering Testament to Growth in South Australia’s Construction Industry
By Marcus Rigney
A few days ago, I came across a LinkedIn post from a notable figure in South Australia’s construction sector that read, “Bowden is booming. I don’t think I have ever seen three tower cranes together outside of the CBD.”
A straightforward observation, but one that carries profound significance.
A skyline dotted with tower cranes, particularly on the outskirts of the city, serves as a good measure of economic vitality and urban growth. The mere presence of them reflects South Australia’s ambition and potential. In fact, our state has never seen such a high number of tower cranes in operation, and my business, Load 28, has never erected so many.
Since that LinkedIn post was made just days ago, Bowden now boasts four tower cranes, three of which we installed; our third crane reaching its new heights at this crucial residential development just last week.
According to the Q1 RLB Crane Index, a record 19 tower cranes are currently operational across Adelaide, and Load 28 proudly accounts for over half of these, with our business managing an impressive 10 tower cranes in SA currently.
While I take pride in Load 28’s contributions to this sector, the sheer number of cranes we have in the air signifies more than just construction growth, it highlights a broader social dynamic. It represents a significant shift from relying on interstate and overseas contractors, to engaging local businesses.
The Malinauskas government’s election promise to bolster support for local enterprises and keep key projects within the state is delivering. In an era where globalisation and outsourcing have become commonplace, the state government’s commitment is a robust strategy that is fuelling our state’s development and intensifying our local economy. Using local expertise and resources not only strengthens our community but ensures the wealth circulates within our borders.
South Australian businesses within the construction sector continue to benefit from the government’s “support local” agenda through increased government contracts and initiatives such as the Industry Participation Policy (IPP), the Industry Capability Network (ICN), Buying4SA, and policies such as ‘Making the Public Dollar Work’. Local businesses now account for 91% of government procurement spending, with $5.18 billion awarded in contracts between July 2024 and May 2025.
Load 28 is deeply invested in our community. We recognise that our connection to South Australia grants us an important advantage, aligning us more closely with local needs and priorities.
And while I lack direct evidence or concrete statistics, my interactions and conversations with independent builders involved in private construction projects over the last six months suggests a promising shift toward a local-first mentality.
South Australia has never been so parochial, and as our state continues to build, so does our confidence. The growth and success we are witnessing among SA businesses exemplifies how faith in our capabilities from our leaders, industry bodies, and our community can be a powerful catalyst.
However, this expectation doesn’t come without its challenges. Local businesses must adopt a forward-thinking mindset, shifting our focus to innovation, resourcefulness and versatility to meet the government’s ambitious infrastructure targets.
We must focus on building resilient individuals and businesses poised to navigate the sector’s new era of complexity, such as fluctuating economic conditions, labour shortages and evolving project demands. We must collaborate, adapt and stay flexible to change, ready to pivot when needed.
After all, our combined efforts extend far beyond the tangible aspects of infrastructure. We are laying the foundation for a future where people are at the heart of progress and a shared vision is leading us with confidence and conviction.
At Load 28, we are harnessing our state’s growth to help drive our success. We are embracing a bold but balanced approach in the pursuit of our goals. We are aiming to be visionary and innovative, while ensuring our ambitions remain feasible and sustainable.
The future looks exciting! And as our state continues to thrive amidst the rising structures of our urban development and bold infrastructure, Load 28 will be delivering more tower cranes to help shape South Australia’s skyline for generations to come.
