Demex on-site for Leichhardt Hotel Rockhampton demolition

It’s been 18 months since the Rockhampton CBD venue was closed and boarded but very little work has been done. Find out more.

Gold Coast company Demex have put signage up around Leichhardt Hotel are expected to start work from September 18.

New contractors have taken over the demolition of the embattled Leichhardt Hotel in Rockhampton as Workplace Health and Safety Queensland keep a close eye.

The seven storey building is known to have high levels of asbestos, having been built in the 1970s.

The managers of the hotel, national chain Australian Venue Co, closed the 60-room hotel when Rockynats finished in April 2022, citing a redevelopment.

The reception area at the Leichhardt Hotel, Rockhampton.

The venue had fallen into deterioration and is understood to have major leaking issues in the basement that have been ongoing since Cyclone Marcia in 2015.

Online reviews of the accommodation reiterated the lack of maintenance and there were several complaints of mould and disrepair.

The function levels, one level of accommodation and the gaming room had been closed a month prior to the full closure.

Despite being closed and boarded up for 18 months now, very little work has been carried out as contractors have come and gone.

A Sydney company was on-site in early 2023 however a cease work order was handed down by WHSQ to “stop all activities on site” in February.

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

Exposed ceilings could be seen through the windows and a chute to a skip bin in the car park had been set up out of a window.

At the time, WHSQ advised it was investigating asbestos removal activities and whole site testing and analysis was to be undertaken.

No enforcement action was taken.

New fence signage has gone up this month for Demex, who were originally listed in the demolition paperwork in January.

Work utes and an office donga have been set up in the car park.

AVC told this publication is underway now and expected to be completed in March 2024.

WHSQ advised they will meet with the new contractor before the works commence.

“Workplace Health and Safety Queensland understands a new contractor has been engaged for demolition and asbestos removal works at the Leichhardt Hotel,” a spokesperson said.

The new Leichhardt Hotel will have a heavy focus on a beer garden, as pictured in the renders by Buchan.

AVC has since lodged plans with Rockhampton Regional Council for a new one-storey venue to include a sports bar, beer garden, indoor entertainment and dining area and gaming room.

There would be no accommodation on-site in the redevelopment.

The plans include demolishing levels two to seven of the building on Bolsover Street, and retaining the structures of the ground level.

Work on the new development is expected to start after the demolition.