Port Kembla’s iconic copper stack will be demolished in the middle of next year.
A statement released by the Planning Minister Tony Kelly this morning said the State Government had approved the demolition of the 205m stack as it was structurally unsound.
An application to clear the Port Kembla Copper site of all buildings was lodged in late 2008 with the State Government.
Mr Kelly said today that some buildings on the site would be demolished to allow the site to be cleared of hazardous substances while other structures, such as the heritage-listed Precious Metals Mill Chimney and Assay Offices, would remain.
‘‘Port Kembla Copper has entered into a Voluntary Remediation Agreement with the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water which has led to the successful remediation of groundwater on the site,’’ he said.
VOTE: Will you turn out to see the Port Kembla Copper stack demolished next year?A total of 42 conditions were imposed on the demolition work including the preparation of a comprehensive demolition plan by a qualified professional; the preparation of a heritage management plan; the establishment of an exclusion zone during the demolition; community consultation; dust minimisation and air quality monitoring; and limited hours of demolition.
The demolition project is worth $8 million and will start immediately, taking 30 workers about 16 months to complete.
FOR FULL COVERAGE SEE TUESDAY’S MERCURY
Email a friend