Demolition has begun

August 30, 2018

Demolition of the old Orange Base Hospital has begun and is expected to finish early 2018.

Orange City Council's contractor Zauner Constructions has begun dismantling buildings which have been assessed by an independent asbestos hygienist.

Project manager Michael Tarn said the staged demolition would start with deconstruction of the low-lying buildings before the tower was demolished towards the end of the project.

He said every precaution was being taken to ensure safety to the public, neighbours and workers was paramount.

"The staged-approach will consist of the hazmat team going in and removing all the asbestos and that involves an independent hygienist," he said.

The hygienist goes through every room, on every floor to confirm all hazardous material has been removed.

"After that happens the demolition crew will come in," Mr Tarn said.

"It's a complex demolition process... There are plans and procedures in place to control, particularly the dust aspect.

"There's also air monitoring installed on site to ensure that (asbestos) isn't an issue at all."

Mr Tarn said there were devices around the perimeter of the site, which monitor the air and can detect any hazardous materials.

He said devices were also used while the asbestos removal was occurring and the devices were monitored daily.

All concrete, bricks and rubble would be crushed on site, which would reduce potential dust or debris concerns when the rubble was transported away for disposal.

Like any construction site, there will be some noise and dust however every effort is being made to keep those issues to a minimum.

Some footpaths may be obstructed during the demolition as heavy machinery moves in and out of the site.

A 47 tonne excavator with a 30 metre-long high-reach arm and sheer attachment (an arm that munches away at the building) will be used to demolish the tower.

All homes and businesses within a one city block radius of the hospital site received a letter detailing the plans.

Anyone with concerns about the safety of the site should call the site manager Jason Callow on 0419 012 085.