The Rising Demand for Security at Regional NSW Construction Sites

Construction activity is on the rise in regional NSW, with areas such as Albury, Tamworth, Grafton, Dubbo, and Parkes emerging as key hubs for property investment and large-scale infrastructure projects. As activity increases, so do potential risks. Construction sites are already known for being high-risk working environments with safety hazards such as falls from heights and exposure to hazardous chemicals. Projects in regional and rural areas come with not just the usual risks of the job, but the challenges associated with working in a more isolated location. No matter how isolated and remote the area you’re working in, construction site security is a smart strategy.

Construction site security typically involves a combination of physical security measures, electronic surveillance devices, access control procedures and trained personnel. When it’s properly implemented, it helps to protect your staff, safeguard your assets and tools from theft, and keep your project running on time with minimal disruption.

As population growth, government investment in infrastructure and the development of new precincts continue to drive new growth projects in NSW, demand for stronger security will also continue to increase. If you’re running a construction site in regional NSW, here’s how SSTC can strengthen your security measures.

Why Regional Construction Sites are at Risk

While NSW has invested fairly heavily in new construction and infrastructure projects in recent years, the road has been rocky. Factors such as COVID-19, supply chain issues, and escalating costs have led to price rises in materials and variable industry profits. In NSW, the construction industry accounted for 31% of all insolvencies in the months leading up to May 2024.

Safety protocols have also been under scrutiny, with safety inspectors out in force this year in regions like the NSW Central Coast to crack down on inadequate safety standards.

Regional construction sites continue to face challenges caused by workplace environment hazards, rising costs, labour shortages and theft. Construction site security can’t solve every problem afflicting construction sites, but it can make a substantial difference.  

The most common problems affecting construction sites in regional NSW include:

Theft and vandalism

Construction sites are prone to theft of valuable materials and acts such as vandalism. Many regional and rural construction sites are in vast and open areas with poor lighting and no surveillance. Scrap metal theft is a particularly common problem, with thieves stealing valuable materials to resell.

Limited supplier options

Local suppliers may be limited in regional and rural areas, leading to higher costs for acquiring materials. Theft of materials can increase project delays and costs more than they would in the city.

Access control challenges

Regional construction projects can often be sprawling sites in relatively isolated locations, making it difficult to guard every possible point of entry from intruders.

Longer emergency response times

In the event of a break-in or emergency, police or paramedics may take longer to reach the construction site than they would in the city.

Wildlife intrusion

Depending on the area you’re working in, local animals can enter your construction site and pose a risk to your workers or your project’s materials.

How Security Make Regional Construction Sites More Secure

Construction site security can’t fix every potential problem, but it can go a long way towards preventing or addressing common issues. Some practical, tangible benefits of a strong security presence on your construction site include:

Crime deterrence

Sometimes, just the visible presence of security is enough to deter would-be thieves and vandals from targeting your construction site.

Asset protection

Equipment, machinery, materials and even fuel are expensive assets that are popular targets for opportunistic thieves. CCTV and security personnel help ensure that these vital materials are kept safely stored.

Monitoring access points

Site security personnel can position themselves at various worksite entry and exit points, making sure only authorised people and vehicles can enter your construction site.

Remote monitoring

Using CCTV and security technology, you can remotely monitor the construction site. You can remotely access live camera feeds and pull up footage to review in the event of an incident.

Better emergency response

Well-trained site security can respond quickly and efficiently to emergencies and incidents, springing into action so you don’t have to wait around for emergency services to arrive.

Safety compliance

CCTV can be used to monitor adherence to safety measures such as the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and adherence to safety standards.  

Regional Construction Site Security Plan

Creating a site-specific construction site security plan is a crucial first step in protecting your site. A construction site safety plan must consider both relevant standards and legal obligations outlined in documents such as the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, as well as the specific requirements of operating in regional NSW. This can include adequate lighting for areas with little to no streetlight illumination, emergency response plans that factor in the time it takes for emergency services to travel, and maintaining good relationships with the local community.

Here are the main steps required to plan a successful regional construction site security strategy:

• Hire an independent security company, such as SSTC, to conduct an unbiased assessment of your construction site.
• Work with the company to determine the site security requirements based on the assessment.
• Depending on the factors, consider components such as audio, video, lighting, alarms and physical barriers. Devise how each strategy will be employed as a preventive measure or to address situations as they arise.
• Conduct periodic reviews of the security plan as your circumstances change, as well as third-party audits.  

Keep Your Regional Construction Site Safe with SSTC

The safety of your staff and the construction site is a matter of paramount importance. SSTC offers various types of security for construction, including static security guards, mobile patrols, K-9 security, and security consulting. Our security services provide ultimate levels of protection, with the director’s 12 years of military discipline instilled in our exceptionally well-trained security personnel.

SSTC’s static security guards provide peace of mind by controlling entry to sensitive locations, such as work sites, and ensuring the safety of equipment. Our roving mobile security patrols can cover a large area and respond to alarms from multiple monitoring stations. With the greatest threats to an organisation being the ones that walk straight through the front door, we can provide rock-solid checkpoint security.

SSTC can also assess your construction site for safety risks and develop a Regional Construction Site Security Plan tailored to your business. Our security consultants are among the most highly sought-after in Sydney and its surrounding areas, offering a fresh perspective to enhance your security strategy.

With over 50 years of combined experience, SSTC offers comprehensive site safety, including professional security services, traffic control, and management. Trusted by some of Australia’s largest construction companies, we comply with all rules and regulations while maintaining the highest standards of safety. A one-stop shop for plans and permits, we have strong relationships with authorities and the council, and make it easy for you to acquire the paperwork you need for a project. 

To find out more, contact the SSTC team on 1300 007 782 or request a free quote from us online.