Australian War Memorial Redevelopment

The Australian War Memorial was constructed in the 1930s to honour all those who have fallen in war. The redevelopment project aims to modernise and expand the galleries and buildings, provide new space for a research centre, and create new theatres and function rooms for the public to enjoy.

To prepare the site for the Main Works, DECC were engaged to:
- Demolish Anzac Hall including link bridges attached to the heritage listed sandstone façade of the Memorial Building.
- Complete the civil Early Works Package of bulk excavation, permanent anchoring and underpinning, and civil construction works.

Demolition: The demolition of the link bridges used the cut and lift method. These structures were considered intrusive to the heritage elements of the Australian War Memorial. Therefore, precise demolition techniques were employed to salvage the heritage stonework, which was later reinstated after the demolition was completed.

Bulk and Detailed Excavation: A total of 120,000m³ of material was excavated including hard strength 200MPa rock. DECC predrilled 2m deep cores on a 200mm x 200mm grid pattern (multi-directional) throughout the dacite rock and along the boundary line of the excavation.

Site Retention: The permanent site retention system consisted of a shotcrete wall with more than 5kms of soil and rock nails.

Heritage Protection: Vibration monitoring was carried out for the duration of the project (12 months). DECC were monitoring any movement of the heritage building contents, particularly the shellal mosaic tiles and stained-glass windows of the Hall of Memories. Heritage stone removal works were also completed in conjunction with the demolition and excavation works. Christmas bush stone pavers were required to be salvaged and the stone bastions at the entrance to the memorial required de-cladding and storage to allow for structural modifications.