Brisbane Law Courts

The Brisbane Law Courts Demolition project involved the complete structural demolition of the former Brisbane Law Courts building, located at 300 George Street in Brisbane's Central Business District (CBD). The project was a critical precursor to the development of a mixed-use complex that would include a 41-storey office tower, a 35-storey hotel tower, and an 82-storey residential tower. DECC was engaged as the Principal Contractor, responsible for hazmat removal, structural demolition, scaffolding, hoarding, traffic management, and the design and construction of internal strutting for the basement.

The project was successfully completed within the 6-month timeframe, with no lost time injuries (LTIs) and a recycling rate of 99% for the building materials. DECC's efficient management of the project ensured that all objectives were met, and the site was prepared for the subsequent civil works and development of the mixed-use complex.

Hazardous Materials Removal: DECC conducted the removal of asbestos and other hazardous materials from the building before commencing structural demolition. This process was critical to ensure the safety of all workers and compliance with environmental regulations.

Structural Demolition: The demolition of the 6-storey building, including its 2 basement levels, was carried out in three stages. The building, which had a footprint of approximately 5,900m² per level, was systematically demolished from the top down using a combination of 8- to 15-tonne excavators for the upper levels and 32- to 70-tonne excavators for the lower levels and basements.

Basement Strutting Design and Construction: DECC provided a design and construct solution for the internal strutting of the basement, which was necessary to retain the surrounding streets and footpaths during the demolition and subsequent civil works. This included the use of structural steel to internally strut the eastern end of Ann Street.

Demolition of Façade Panels and Perimeter Beams: The building's façade, composed of reinforced concrete panels ranging in size from 1.5m x 1.5m to 2.0m x 4.0m, was carefully demolished using a 200-tonne crawler crane. The crane was positioned in the centre of the site to lift and remove the panels and perimeter beams, particularly in sensitive areas adjacent to the Ann Street freeway traffic ramp.

Traffic and Pedestrian Management: Given the building's location in the busy Brisbane CBD, DECC implemented an extensive traffic and pedestrian management plan. This plan was crucial for managing the high volumes of vehicles and pedestrians around the site, ensuring safety and minimal disruption to the public.

Recycling and Waste Management: DECC achieved a recycling rate of 99% by weight for the building materials. Over 35,000 tonnes of concrete and 1,500 tonnes of steel reinforcement were recycled off-site, contributing to the project's environmental sustainability.