GOVE HOUSES - PILOT STUDY
Snapshot
DEMEX was engaged by Rio Tinto Gove to undertake a pilot demolition project involving five residential properties in Nhulunbuy, Northern Territory, as part of the broader Gove Refinery closure and township transition program. The three month pilot commenced in January and included asbestos removal, dismantling, deconstruction, demolition, and restoration works. The outcomes of this study will inform the delivery of future works involving over 160 houses across the region.
Project Role
Principal Contractor
Project Scope
The scope included the safe demolition and removal of five houses across two distinct cyclone rated designs, CEMAC and HJ J3, both of which contained asbestos materials. Works involved internal asbestos removal, structural dismantling, site restoration, and logistics management across a remote site more than 3,750 kilometres from DEMEX headquarters. The project also required the preparation of a detailed pilot study report, capturing costs, methodologies, and lessons learned, which was delivered to and positively received by the client.
Project Highlights
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Adaptability in challenging tropical conditions: Despite frequent wet weather and boggy site conditions, the team adjusted sequencing to progress asbestos works across multiple properties, ensuring minimal project delay.
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Technical expertise in cyclone-rated structures: Demolition of the CEMAC houses required a revised approach, with roof removal preceding wall dismantling. Learnings from the first structure improved efficiency on the second.
- Complex logistics planning: Mobilisation involved road transport to Darwin, followed by barge freight to Gove, demanding precision in scheduling due to limited transport frequency.
- Positive community engagement: DEMEX, in collaboration with the Indigenous Road Safety Academy, contributed a year-long Yolŋu Matha DriveAbout licence to Yirrkala School, supporting driver education and employment access for Indigenous students.
- Transparent environmental and safety management: Daily air monitoring was implemented throughout asbestos removal, reinforcing public confidence in the safety of demolition activities and enabling RTA to address any community concerns with data-backed assurance.
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