Final Stage of Diggers Club Demolition Underway at The Globe
Demolition works at the former Diggers Club site are continuing to progress at The Globe development in Wollongong, with crews now focused on dismantling the original core of the building in the project’s final demolition phase.
Brett Baker of VSE Pty Ltd provided an update from the site, explaining that major progress has already been made, including the removal of the club’s roof and exterior brickwork. The team is now systematically working through the northern side of the structure, carefully stripping back additions that had been built onto the original building over many decades.
According to Baker, the demolition process is particularly complex due to the many extensions and structural modifications added throughout the building’s history. Crews are currently removing concrete slabs, herringbone timber structures, and other layered construction elements while ensuring the building remains stable throughout the process.
Safety remains a major priority on site, with scaffolding and pedestrian hoarding still in place along the western and southern sides of the building to maintain safe public access during the works. Large machinery has now taken over the operation as smaller equipment is progressively removed from the site.
Sustainability also continues to play a significant role in the demolition program. VSE expects to recycle more than 95 per cent of materials from the project by weight, including concrete, brick, steel, and other metals. Excavators equipped with specialised attachments are currently separating concrete from timber structures to maximise recycling outcomes.
Once demolition is complete, the remaining retaining walls and structures will be removed, bringing the entire site back to ground level in preparation for the next stage of The Globe redevelopment.
The demolition marks the completion of a significant chapter for the site, following the earlier removal of the David Jones building and five-level car park as part of the broader transformation of this landmark Wollongong precinct.
