Toowoomba Grand Central

The Grand Central Shopping Centre project involved the comprehensive demolition of a significant retail and office complex in Toowoomba, covering an area of approximately 22,000m2. DECC was engaged as the Principal Contractor, tasked with the demolition of the 2-3 storey concrete-framed retail and office buildings, including a carpark and a bridge/ramp structure over Victoria Street. The project required meticulous planning and execution to ensure safety and compliance with all relevant regulations, particularly given the urban setting and the proximity to other operational buildings and infrastructure.

Site Establishment and Service Disconnections: DECC initiated the project by mobilising the necessary personnel, machinery, and equipment, including storage containers and later a jaw crusher for recycling concrete. The team also coordinated the disconnection and clearance of services, including power, water, and gas, ensuring the site was safe for demolition activities. Asbestos removal was carried out in strict compliance with environmental and safety regulations.

Soft Strip-Out and Structural Demolition: DECC conducted a soft strip-out of the Victoria Street Library, Garden Town Shopping Centre, Council Buildings, and partial demolition of Grand Central Shopping Centre. This phase involved the removal of non-structural elements to prepare the buildings for mechanical demolition. The mechanical structural demolition was performed using heavy machinery, including 43-tonne and 52-tonne excavators equipped with pulverisers and rock breakers to efficiently dismantle the concrete structures.

Bridge and Ramp Structure Demolition: A significant aspect of the project was the demolition of the bridge and ramp structure over Victoria Street. DECC implemented a carefully coordinated demolition plan, including temporary lane and footpath closures to ensure public safety. The bridge structure was dismantled using large excavators, with the concrete sections pulverised onsite to minimise environmental impact and facilitate recycling.

Concrete Crushing and Recycling: A 50-tonne jaw crusher was mobilised to the site to crush all concrete and brick materials processed from the demolition. The materials were crushed to a 70mm minus product and windrowed onsite, contributing to the project's sustainability by reducing waste and reusing materials.