Former operating theatre goes 'under the knife'

13 October 2017

The wing of the former Orange Base hospital, which housed a number of operating theatres, is the latest building on the Dalton Street site to be demolished.

Zauner Constructions is continuing with the project to level every building on the site, apart from the former Ambulance Station at the corner of Prince & Anson Streets.

In the weeks after the maternity ward and the emergency wards were demolished, crews moved onto the surgery ward which ran from the main tower block towards Dalton Street.

Before demolition begins in each new area, a specialist hazardous materials team removes all potential dangers and an independent hygienist 'signs-off' that the demolitions is right to begin.

A high pressure water spray is used to further suppress dust when the demolition machinery moves in.

Pedestrians passing the project have commented how the large machinery is capable of picking up very small items (such as copper pipe or electrical conduits). Once it's torn from the building, a piece of waste material can be seen to be 'rinsed' under a high pressure water spray.

This clip, compiled from both time-lapse images and real-time video, captured the moments when still-recognisable operating theatres were demolished.