A $40.8m tool-theft crisis is fuelling demand for secure commercial work hubs as tradies rethink where they store vehicles, tools and equipment.
Aussie tradies are being warned their love of flashy, oversized utes could be painting a giant target on them for tool thieves.
Rising crime and a $40.8m wave of stolen tools are now forcing builders, subcontractors and small operators to look beyond their driveway for “Fort Knox” style, high-security garaging to protect their livelihoods.
RACV analysis of Crime Statistics Agency data shows more than $40.8m worth of hand and power tools were stolen from Victorian vehicles or properties in the year ending June 2025.
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The figure was up 7.5 per cent on the previous year, with 36,708 tools stolen across the state.
Theft from motor vehicles remained Victoria’s most common and fastest-growing crime category in the year to December 2025, with 82,947 offences recorded, according to RACV’s analysis of CSA data.
Victoria Police said 31,851 cars, including tradies’ vehicles, were stolen in the year to March 2026, the highest figure since 2001-02.
Pryor Connections director Mitch Pryor said tradies were “crying out” for secure places to store tools and vehicles after his own car was broken into twice in 12 months.
Pryor Connections director Mitch Pryor said tradies were “crying out” for more secure places to store equipment, park vehicles and keep their businesses moving after his own car was broken into twice in the past 12 months.
“A lot of tradies have trailers, tools and equipment they are trying to keep secure, and I have had my own car broken into twice in the past 12 months,” Mr Pryor said.
“So having safe and secure parking, and secure storage as well, is paramount at the moment.”
The electrician said tradies trying to reduce the risk of theft should consider being less obvious with their vehicles.
“A lot of guys go out and buy these huge Rams, beautiful utes and things like that, which is super cool. I would love to do it too,” he said.
“But with some of those nicer cars, people expect there to be nicer tools and nicer setups inside them. They can become a bit of a cash grab for someone looking to steal things.
“With vans, they are a bit more inconspicuous. People do not really know what is inside them because they cannot see in, and the van itself is not worth as much either, so people are not necessarily looking to steal them.”
He said lockable cases, drawers and toolboxes strapped to vehicles could also help stop thieves clearing out a tradie’s gear in one hit.
RACV analysis of Crime Statistics Agency data shows more than $40.8m worth of hand and power tools were stolen from Victorian vehicles and properties in the financial year ending June 2025.
Mr Pryor said the risk was not limited to vehicles parked at home, with construction sites also increasingly needing tighter security.
“We have a site down in Rye that recently had an almost $200,000 caravan sitting on it, and that got rummaged through and written off,” he said.
The theft wave is now helping reshape Melbourne’s small commercial property market, with tradies and small operators seeking secure industrial hubs where they can store gear, park vehicles, do admin and meet clients.
Cedar Woods is preparing to launch Smith Works, a $22m office-warehouse project at Williams Landing, with 46 units aimed at small businesses needing more room and security than a backyard shed, storage cage or ute can provide.
The project will include secure parking, mezzanine offices, solar panels, EV charging options, secure gated entry and 24-hour CCTV monitoring.
Cedar Woods’ Smith Works project at Williams Landing will include 46 office-warehouse units aimed at small businesses needing more space than a garage, ute or storage cage.
Mitch Pryor warned flashy utes and oversized work vehicles could make tradies obvious targets for thieves looking for expensive tools.
Mr Pryor said Williams Landing was a logical place for tradies and small operators working across Melbourne’s west.
“It is also quite a central spot in Melbourne. For people on the west side coming into the city, it would be pretty awesome. They could pick up their gear and keep going,” he said.
The RACV warned tool theft could have a devastating effect on sole traders and small businesses, with tradies forced to buy replacements while potentially being unable to work at full capacity without specialised tools.
Future Property Group founder and managing director David Cummins.
The $22m Smith Works project will include secure parking, gated entry and 24-hour CCTV as tradies and small operators look for safer places to store equipment.
Future Property Group founder and managing director David Cummins said tool theft was a long-running problem across vehicles, homes and construction sites, and secure storage made sense as tradies carried increasingly valuable equipment.
“The concept makes sense. It totally makes sense,” Mr Cummins said.
“For tradies, and particularly some younger tradies, they are not always in a position to just go out and replace them if they are stolen.”
Cedar Woods Victorian state manager James Bovell said Smith Works marked the next stage of Williams Landing Town Centre’s commercial growth.
“We’ve seen strong demand from local buyers for commercial spaces that can accommodate room for equipment, production or client-facing services, while still being connected to the amenity and transport links of an established town centre,” Mr Bovell said.
The Williams Landing work hubs will range from 50sq m to 206sq m, with ground-level workspace and integrated mezzanine offices for small operators.
Smith Works is planned for Williams Landing Town Centre, where more than 300 businesses already operate across the growing western suburbs precinct.
The Smith Works units will range from 50sq m to 206sq m and include ground-level workspace and integrated office mezzanines.
More than 300 businesses already operate in the Williams Landing precinct.
Wyndham’s population reached 347,830 as of June 30, 2025, after growing 3.73 per cent over the previous year, ahead of Greater Melbourne’s 1.97 per cent growth rate.
Smith Works is expected to launch via expressions of interest in June, with a full market launch planned for July.
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