Old Anglesea power station demolition a bust

AN abandoned power station was to be wiped out within 20 seconds when Alcoa demolished the six-storey high structure in Anglesea today — but the explosion didn’t quite go to plan. WATCH THE VIDEO

ANGLESEA’S disused power station was to be wiped out within 20 seconds when Alcoa demolished the six-storey high structure this morning.

But the planned demolition has gone wrong, with the site’s main structure still standing after the explosion.

Alcoa planned to fell the site — except the towering smoke stack — in one event that lasted 10 to 20 seconds.

GUNMAN KILLS TWO POLICE OFFICERS IN BELGIUM

RUTHLESS DRIVE BEHIND FOOTY’S CRAZY GENIUS

ROSEANNE AXED OVER RACIST TWEET

The power station demolition was botched. Picture: Geoff Winkler

The power station was still standing after the explosion. Picture: Alison Wynd

Pending weather conditions, the main power station building was due to be levelled using controlled explosives between 9am and midday.

The controlled explosion set off a loud bang when it occurred slightly behind schedule at 12.36pm.

First the bunkers were destroyed and then the six-storey high conveyor belt toppled, creating a dark dust cloud that drifted towards the rubbish tip — but the main structure was left standing.

The demolition served as a mini-reunion for dozens of former Alcoa employees, who had gathered on Coalmine Rd to watch the event.

Many waited for up to an hour after the first explosion, not knowing when authorities would be able to destroy the rest of the site.

Onlookers awaiting the demolition. Picture: Alison Wynd

“Following twelve months of planning and preparation, the controlled demolition will take approximately 10-20 seconds,” an Alcoa spokeswoman said earlier.

“The event may be audible in Anglesea … and is expected to sound like claps of thunder.”

The site’s 108-metre smoke stack will be retained.

A 400-metre exclusion zone was placed around the power station during the demolition, with security to guard the perimeter and patrol the area.

The nearby Anglesea Primary School will not modify its operations, with the demolition to be halted if conditions present any potential problems for the Camp Rd campus.

“The advice from Alcoa is that we may hear some noise, but we shouldn’t feel any vibration or see dust,” acting principal Murray Surkitt said.

Former Alcoa staff still standing after the Anglesea Power station demolition fails to drop the entire structure. Picture: Alison Wynd

“If the wind is blowing our way, it won’t go ahead.”

The school had been in contact with parents to keep them informed of the process, Mr Surkitt said.

However, residents have aired complaints about a lack of public consultation, while there are concerns that the demolition could spread dangerous asbestos fibres.

“No doubt they will say that all of the asbestos has been stripped out, but it seems unlikely that every last fibre would have been located in a large structure,” Surf Coast Air Action’s Andrew Laird said.

Alcoa confirmed that it had carried out a year-long asbestos removal program on Tuesday, which involved effectively stripping the building.

The demolition is being carried out by Industrial Demolition Services, which has worked with EPA Victoria, Worksafe and emergency services on the project.

Steel from the structure will be recycled, with the clean-up expected to take three months.

After 46 years of operations, Alcoa decided to shut down the power station and mine site in August 2015.

[e-mail]

Originally published as Old Anglesea power station demolition a bust