Setting up a new site is time-sensitive, and the list of equipment you need to get right can feel endless. Between compliance requirements, site conditions and client expectations, it helps to know exactly what’s available before you start calling suppliers.
This A-Z guide breaks down 14 of the most common site hire items, from branded banner mesh to water barriers, so you know what each one does and when you need it. Whether you’re planning your first site start or refreshing your go-to hire list, use this as your reference guide before your next job.
Quick Answer: The 14 Site Hire Items You Need to Understand
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Branded Banner Mesh – Printed PVC mesh for safety messaging and site branding.
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Concrete Blocks – Standard ballast for stabilising temporary fencing.
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Crowd Control Barriers – Freestanding barriers for managing pedestrian flow.
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Hoarding – Solid perimeter fencing that fully encloses a site.
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Hoods – Hollow metal unit linking temporary fencing together.
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Kingfence – SiteTech’s branded hoarding system, combining security with marketing.
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Portable Toilets – A legal requirement on every construction site.
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Security Cameras – Deter theft and monitor your site after hours.
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Silt Protection – Prevents mud and runoff from leaving your site.
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Spikes – Ground anchors for stabilising fencing on soft soil.
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Temporary Fencing – The non-negotiable baseline for site security.
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Tree Protection – Safeguards existing trees during construction.
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Water Barriers – Water-filled barriers for traffic control and site division.
Not every site needs all 14. Use this guide to work out which items apply to your project, then consolidate what you can under a single supplier.
Why Hire Instead of Buy?
There are both economic and practical advantages to hiring site equipment instead of buying it. You only pay for what you need, for as long as you need it, with no capital outlay, storage costs or maintenance to manage. For short and medium-length projects, hiring almost always works out cheaper than owning equipment that sits unused between jobs.
Hiring is also the safer bet for compliance. Reputable suppliers maintain their equipment to current standards, so you’re not left responsible for testing, tagging or repairs on top of running your project.
Branded Banner Mesh – Safety Communication at Scale
Banner mesh is a printed PVC mesh that attaches to temporary fencing to display safety messages, project branding or site information. It’s a cost-effective way to communicate to the public while adding a more professional finish than bare fencing, and it’s commonly used on construction perimeters, festival sites and high-traffic street frontages.
Concrete Blocks – The Standard Fence Base
Concrete blocks are the standard ballast used to hold temporary fencing panels upright and in place. They’re the simplest and most cost-effective way to stabilise a fence line on hard surfaces where posts can’t be driven into the ground, such as driveways, car parks and paved areas.
Crowd Control Barriers – Managing Pedestrian Flow
Crowd control barriers are freestanding, interlocking steel barriers used to manage pedestrian flow and separate the public from work areas. They’re a common addition to construction sites in busy precincts, as well as events, festivals and community gatherings where foot traffic needs to be directed safely.
Crossover Pavement Protection – Non-Negotiable Fall Prevention
Our crossover protection is the strongest and most durable driveway protection available for all building site applications.
Hoarding – Full Perimeter Enclosure
Hoarding is solid perimeter fencing, typically timber or panelled, used to fully enclose a site and block sightlines from the street. It’s often required by local councils for sites in urban or high-pedestrian areas, and it doubles as a surface for project signage or branding.
Support Stays
SiteTech's support stays are heavy-duty, angled steel bracing struts designed to reinforce temporary fencing runs on construction, residential, and event sites.
Kingfence – Branded Hoarding With a Marketing Edge
Kingfencecross is SiteTech’s own branded hoarding system, combining perimeter security with high-quality printed graphics. It’s built for builders and developers who want their site to double as a marketing asset rather than an eyesore. We cover Kingfence in more detail, alongside our other site hire innovations, in a separate guide.
Portable Toilets – A Legal Requirement, Not a Luxury
Portable toilets are a legal requirement on construction sites, with WHS guidelines requiring one toilet per 20 workers. Look for units with foot-pump flush systems, basin water and a regular servicing schedule to keep your site compliant and your crew comfortable.
Security Cameras – Deterring Theft and Vandalism
Security cameras deter theft and vandalism and give you visibility over your site outside work hours. Construction sites are common targets for theft, particularly of tools, fuel and materials, so cameras are increasingly considered standard equipment rather than an optional extra.
Silt Protection – Environmental Compliance Made Simple
Silt protection stops mud, windblown rubbish and stormwater runoff from leaving your site and affecting roads, neighbouring properties and waterways. Environmental protection rules apply to construction sites across Australia, and silt protection is one of the most commonly overlooked compliance items until a council notice arrives.
Spikes – Extra Stability on Soft Ground
Spikes, or ground spikes, anchor temporary fencing directly into soft ground, offering more stability than concrete blocks alone on sites with soil rather than pavement. They’re a low-cost way to boost security where a fence line needs to hold firm against wind or interference.
Temporary Fencing – The Non-Negotiable Baseline
Temporary fencing is the non-negotiable baseline for site security. It secures the perimeter, keeps unauthorised people out and protects the public from site hazards, and it’s required by WHS regulations on every Australian construction site.
Tree Protection – Safeguarding What’s Already There
Tree protection safeguards existing trees on a development site from damage during construction, in line with Australian Standards for tree protection on development sites. It typically involves fencing off the tree’s root zone to prevent soil compaction, machinery damage and root disturbance.
Where to Source Your Site Hire Equipment
Of the 14 items above, SiteTech supplies, delivers, and installs temporary fencing, concrete block bases, Kingfence, portable toilets, silt protection, and branded banner mesh, 12 of the fourteen, all from one supplier. For crowd control barriers, edge protection, hoarding, hoods, site signage, lokfence, spikes, and tree protection, check with your site engineer or local council about specific requirements before you hire.
For more information on what SiteTech can supply for your next site, request a quote or call 1800 748 383.
FAQs
What site hire equipment is legally required on Australian construction sites?
Under the Work Health and Safety Act and Safe Work Australia regulations, contractors must legally secure construction sites using perimeter fencing to prevent unauthorised access and display highly visible site signage with the principal contractor’s contact information and 24/7 emergency details.
Sites must be equipped with fully stocked first aid kits alongside adequate welfare facilities that provide accessible toilets and clean drinking water.
Victoria operates under its own OHS Act, managed by WorkSafe Victoria, which sets out independent compliance codes for site amenities and falls prevention that builders must follow.
Is it cheaper to hire or buy site hire equipment?
Hiring is almost always cheaper for project-based work. With hiring, there is no capital outlay, storage, maintenance or depreciation to account for. Buying only makes sense for larger contractors running 10 or more concurrent sites.
How far in advance should I book site hire equipment?
For residential builds, 1–2 weeks’ notice is typically sufficient. Larger commercial projects should be booked 2–4 weeks out, especially for items that require printing or fabrication lead time, such as Kingfence.
Can I hire this equipment for events as well as construction sites?
Yes. In addition to construction sites, items like crowd control barriers, temporary fencing and portable toilets are commonly used for concerts, festivals, sporting events and community events.