Authorities stop demolition of Leichhardt Hotel, Rockhampton

‘Stop all activities on site’: Workplace Health and Safety inspectors visited the site last week and ordered a shutdown of all works in response to asbestos removal concerns. Here’s what we know.

The work site at the Leichhardt Hotel appears abandoned on February 9.

A cease work order has been handed down to “stop all activities on site” for the demolition of the Leichhardt Hotel in Rockhampton’s CBD.

The venue appeared to be abandoned on Thursday afternoon, with no workers in sight and a construction fence still around the site.

Windows in the back building had been left open and ceilings looked to be exposed.

A chute was set up into skip bins in the carpark.

A chute to a skip bin in the carpark has been set up out of a window, presumably used to throw material out.

Another skip bin is placed directly under another open window.

Ceilings exposed and windows open in the back building. These units haven't been open to the public in decades.

The buildings, which stretch from the frontage on Bolsover Street to the older buildings on Bolsover Lane, reportedly have high levels of asbestos material.

It has been reported tradies working on the site were not wearing protective masks or suits.

Workplace Health and Safety visited the work site on Wednesday, February 8.

Exposed ceilings can be seen through the windows.

“Workplace Health and Safety Queensland is investigating asbestos removal activities at the Leichhardt Hotel in Rockhampton,” a spokesman said.

“ Our inspectors issued a prohibition notice on Wednesday to stop all activities on site until further notice, as comprehensive whole site testing and analysis is undertaken.

“This is a continuing investigation and WHSQ will be present to oversee the safe removal of asbestos.”

The demolition of the Bolsover Street building has been a slow progress since it was announced the venue would close at Easter 2022.

It has been reported a number of businesses pulled out of contracts for the works, delaying the project further.

The fencing around the site has signage for “SGB Group”, a commercial design and construction company with head offices in Sydney and Brisbane.

SGB Group was not responsible for the demolition work and had outsourced to a contractor.

Windows left open in the back building.

Gold Coast company Demex was previously awarded the demolition contract but later pulled out.

It is understood a company from Sydney was then awarded the work.

Work finally began on the site last month, after the hotel had been boarded up for eight months.

Squatters were reportedly breaking into the building repeatedly to sleep while it was closed and at one point, the power and water hadn’t been turned off.

The seven-storey building that fronts Bolsover Street was built by JM Kelly in the 1970s and has 60 hotel rooms and two floors of function rooms.

No official plans have been lodged with council, as will be necessary for what will be built there once the site is cleared.

The hotel is managed by national hotel chain Australian Venue Co.

“All asbestos removal works will be completed by the appointed asbestos removal contractor with an asbestos removal methodology in line with Work Health Safety Queensland Code of Practice and under the supervision of an independent asbestos hygienist,” Australian Venue Co said.