Information for neighbours

To bring the two red brick buildings down safely and efficiently, we will install a tower crane in August, and this will remain in place during the deconstruction works.  

To safely install the tower crane, a smaller mobile crane will be brought on site for three days. 

Temporary traffic changes will be in place on Elgin Street, between Canning and Nicholson Street, during these three days.  

Works and traffic changes will include: 

• Removal of car parks in front of the work site (Friday 22 August to Sunday 24 August). 
• Footpath closure in front of the work site (Saturday 23 August and Sunday 24 August). 
• Closure of Elgin Street, between Canning and Nicholson Street (Sunday 24 August). 
• Relocation of the Elgin Street bus stop towards Canning Street (Friday 22 August and Saturday 23 August). 
• Closure of the Elgin Street bus stop (Sunday 24 August).  

Traffic controllers will be located at the site entrance, to allow safe movement of machinery and works. Please follow all safety signage.  

These works will be carried out in compliance with the City of Melbourne’s Local Laws and Code of Practice for Building and Construction Works.

We recommend you allow extra time to reach your destination on time during these works.  

When will this tower crane work take place? 

• Friday 22 August, 6:00am – 6:00pm 
• Saturday 23 August, 6:00am – 6:00pm 
• Sunday 24 August, 6:00am – 6:00pm  

These dates may change due to unforeseen circumstances such as weather. We will keep the community informed. 

You can view the detailed traffic management plans at the end of this page.  

City of Melbourne stipulate a 14-day consultation period for these works. You can find our contact details below and our team will be happy to answer any questions. 

To keep everyone safe and provide safe access for trucks to the work site, crews will remove carparks in front of the building site and on the south side of the traffic island in Palmerston St for the duration of these works. 

Signage and traffic controllers will be in place.   

These works have been approved by the City of Melbourne.   

John Holland crews will be setting up construction equipment, site sheds and lifts on the side of the towers.   

Internal fixture removal will continue across the coming weeks.   

Some trees on site need to be removed to make way for works. The final designs for the new buildings feature improved landscaped areas for the community to enjoy.   

There will be increased noise and truck traffic during this time. 

Stripping the inside of the old red brick towers is underway. This is a safe and steady process which includes specialist contractors who are checking for and removing hazardous materials ahead of the demolition works. 

Once we have carefully removed the kitchen, bathroom and carpet, we will then remove the doors, windows and internal walls.  

Once internal stripping has been completed, a crane will be installed to support the staged and careful deconstruction of the old buildings, section by section. 

We appreciate your patience while we get on with delivering more and better homes for Carlton.  

We’ll provide updates to neighbours before significant works happen and you can also sign up for regular project updates. 

Site works will operate within standard hours as determined by your local city council. With the exceptions of emergencies or planning permits, construction works in the City of Melbourne are carried out between the hours of: 

• 7 am and 7 pm Monday to Friday 
• 8 am and 3 pm on Saturday. 

Near neighbours will receive notices in their letterboxes ahead of any significant works.

You can also sign up for project updates. 

Yes, at times there will be some noise, dust and vibration.  

Contractors will do their best to limit disruptions with measures such as noise monitoring and dust suppression to meet Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) regulations. 

Due to the age of the buildings there will be contaminated materials for removal. Specialist contractors have been commissioned to carry out these works within the Elgin Towers buildings. Safety management plans will be followed, and works will take place inside the construction fence. 

All works will follow WorkSafe and EPA regulations. 

We will inform the community when we are undertaking work to remove hazardous materials at the site.  

Yes. To bring the two red brick buildings down safely and efficiently, we need to install a tower crane.   

The tower crane will be approximately 50 metres high, with the cabin at around 17 storeys high. This will be just above the top of the existing towers.  

The crane will have engineering controls in place to ensure it will only be able to lift loads from the red brick buildings to loading zones located immediately adjacent to the buildings.    

The crane will not be lifting any loads over adjacent properties.  

In line with strict safety guidelines, the crane arm will be able to move with the direction of the wind when not in use. This is normal and safe.