The building has been razed to the ground before the development application was approved – Wollongong City Council records show the plans are still being assessed, with further information being sought.

Heavy machinery was finishing the job late on Wednesday morning, with the unremarkable two-storey structure consigned to memory.

The site is being developed by Piruse Constructions for a new IMB bank and “A Grade” office building, designed by Wollongong firm ADM Architects.

On Wednesday IMB referred questions about the development to ADM Architects, which did not respond to the Mercury’s enquiries by deadline.

The developer may be relying on an old development consent for the demolition – plans have been in train for the site for several years. 

In late 2011 the Joint Regional Planning Panel approved a $30 million proposal from a different designer to demolish the site and build a 12-storey high combined commercial and residential building there.

JRPP documents also show the latest development application (DA) has not been completed.

A Wollongong City Council spokesman confirmed the DA had not been completed by council’s planners, and the JRPP was the consent authority.

The spokesman said permission had been given to demolish the Civic Place building back in 2012, and “the current demolition could be completed under that previous DA”.

In December it emerged an archaeological dig may be required as part of the development. 

This was because the site, developed to its recent state in the 1960s, may have “locally significant archaeological remains associated with the early 19th Century to mid-20th Century residential development”, consultant firm Biosis said.

It recommended archaeological monitoring during demolition, with the possibility of “deeper archaeological excavation” depending on what relics were found. 

It is not known whether this monitoring was taking place during the demolition.