Staff writers
ENGIE is planning to demolish Hazelwood boiler house two in a controlled explosive collapse towards the end of next week.
An ENGIE Hazelwood spokesman said the demolition is expected to take place between Wednesday and Friday, between 10am and 4pm.
The day and time are subject to favourable wind and cloud cover which will help mitigate dust and noise.
Boiler house two was supposed to be knocked-down last month but was delayed due to the impact of severe storms and flooding in the region.
The collapse will mean only one of the former power station boiler houses will remain in Morwell, with the final one to come down before the end of the year.
A 700-metre exclusion zone will be set up, including closure of Brodribb Road between Nadenbousch’s Road and Cemetery Avenue.
Traffic on the Princes Freeway and Strzelecki Highway will be slowed with traffic controls in place to stop vehicles from parking on the roadside while demolition is underway.
“While controls have been implemented to reduce external noise emissions as much as possible, local residents are likely to hear a loud noise at the time of the demolition for a few seconds,” the spokesman said.
“This is unavoidable, given the size of the structure, and the nature and placement of the explosive charges necessary to safely affect a controlled collapse.”
The works are being carried-out by contractor Delta Group in accordance with WorkSafe and Environment Protection Authority regulations.
Delta Group had carried out an asbestos removal program, and the demolition should not allow for airborne asbestos outside the immediate works zone.
Air monitors will be set up in surrounding areas and all asbestos-contaminated materials will be transported on internal roads to the EPA-licensed, onsite asbestos cell for safe disposal.
