Scott and Cathy Goode, owners of Sarina Crane Hire, started the business in 2007 with a single 12-tonne Franna. They weren’t aiming to just hire out equipment – they wanted to build a company that delivered complete lifting solutions, backed by a strong safety culture, skilled people, and a commitment to doing the job right the first time.
Eighteen years on, Sarina Crane Hire has grown to a fleet of 36 cranes ranging from 13-tonne city crane through to a 250-tonne Kobelco lattice boom crawler, supported by heavy haulage and access equipment services. “We’re more of a one-stop shop,” said Scott. “One phone call – we turn up, do your job, supply everything. One contact, one bill.”
It’s a model that wins work, “If we’re doing the lift and the shift, and something doesn’t turn up because of an oversight on our part, I don’t charge the client. They like that. It’s about delivering on what we promise,” Scott said.
Built on relationships and experience
Scott’s own background spans rail, mining and sugar, giving him a strong foundation in both technical lifting and customer service.
“I built a lot of relationships on the ground in those early years,” he said. “In the first five to ten years, I worked incredibly hard to build the name. Now the work comes to us – we don’t need to hunt for it.”
The company operates across a vast region Scott calls “the triangle” – from Bowen in the north, out to Emerald, and down to Gladstone in Queensland. Within this area, the team services industries including ports, sugar, mining and rail.
Sarina Crane Hire’s main hub is in Sarina, complete with a fully equipped maintenance workshop. “We do all our own servicing and ten-year rebuilds in-house,” Scott said.
“My son, Ethan is the workshop supervisor – he’s a dual tradesman and has been with us ten years. We’ve got contract fitters and engineers come in when needed, but most of it we handle ourselves.”
Additional yards include a large 130-acre facility in Coppabella, which houses the big gear servicing the Bowen Basin, and a yard in Mackay – recently upgraded to a full operation after a competitor’s exit created an opportunity.
A diverse, loyal fleet
The crane fleet is dominated by Liebherr slew cranes, (120-130-150-200-220 and 250 tonne), Franna pick and carry cranes (20-40 tonne), supported by Grove rough terrains, a Tadano truck mount, and a Kato city crane. Highlights include two Liebherr 250-tonne cranes, an LTR 1220 and the 250-tonne Kobelco.
The heavy haulage side includes 13 prime movers – mostly Mack, with one Kenworth – and a wide range of trailers. “We’ve got step decks, blade trailers, ten-row low loaders, a lot of Drake trailers, and about eight or nine from Australian manufacturer John Pace, JP Trailers,” Scott said. Offering both lifting and haulage provides clients with a seamless solution. “You don’t need to deal with multiple contractors – we take care of everything,” Scott said. “It’s one less hassle for the customer.”
Training, Safety and People
From day one, Scott embedded a strong safety culture, drawing on his time as a health and safety representative during a major legislative shift in the early 2000s.
“The old Act told you what you could and couldn’t lift; the new one was about risk assessment,” he said. “I was in the pilot programs, so when I started my business, I was fully aware of my obligations. That’s been carried right through to today.”
Every task has a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS), and a Job Safety Analysis (JSA) is completed before every lift or movement – whether loading a semi or shifting heavy equipment.
“The process is the same across all parts of the business,” Scott said. “That way, if people swap between divisions, the safety rules don’t change.”
Scott’s training philosophy is equally grounded. “I’ll take someone with a strong work ethic, even if they don’t have formal skills, and teach them what they need to know,” he said. “They start in the yard, learn to care for and respect the gear, then we get them their dogman’s ticket. If the attitude is right, they can build from there.”
Most of the company’s eight supervisors have been with Scott for more than a decade – some for 15 years. “I’ve got a core team of 30 people I can always rely on,” he said. “They know the job, they know the customers, and they know our standards.”
Keeping crews happy and grounded
For Scott, keeping crews happy is about more than wages – it’s about work-life balance. “If we can get them home every night, we will,” he said. “We won’t send them away for more than three or four nights at a time. When families are supported and things are steady at home, people can focus on the job. If there’s strain at home, it shows up on site.”
That philosophy also extends to building a strong social culture. Each year, the company hosts a major event for employees and their families, featuring a slideshow of projects from the year. “It gives families a chance to see the work their loved ones have been involved in,” Scott said. “It makes them feel part of it – and we like to have a bit of fun with it too.”
Community at the core
Being based in a regional town, Sarina Crane Hire takes community support seriously. “There’s probably not a sporting club, organisation or fundraiser we don’t sponsor,” Scott said. “It’s all part and parcel of living in a small town.”
This community connection also influences hiring. “First thing we do is ask our crew if they know someone for the job,” Scott said. “It gives us a benchmark straight away. Then we check skills, train where needed, and keep improving.”
Focused on the Future
After nearly two decades, Scott remains hands-on and forward-looking. His message to others in the industry is simple: focus on your own game. “Don’t worry about what people think – just keep working towards your goals,” he said. “Look after your own backyard first, and you’ll be fine.”
With a loyal team, a reputation for delivering complete lifting and haulage solutions, and a culture built on safety and relationships, Sarina Crane Hire looks set to keep lifting Queensland’s industries for many years to come.