(City of Newcastle)
Newy 87.8 FM – Demolition of the Queens Wharf West building will begin in July, City of Newcastle has announced, marking the next stage for the waterfront precinct.
The relocation of Keolis Downer ferry staff to a new Stockton-based site office early next month marks the departure of the building's final tenants, enabling the work to start.
The western building has been vacant since a fire in May 2020. Only the western building is being demolished, with the Queens Wharf Hotel to remain.
Demolition will follow weeks of sub-structural preparations, including a floating pontoon to isolate and relocate utilities. Work will begin inside and around the building before two excavators demolish the main structure from west to east, top to bottom, down to the ground floor slab.
Wharf Road will remain open to vehicles, while the western car park will be fenced off throughout the work, with detours for walkers and cyclists. City of Newcastle says there are no anticipated disruptions to the Stockton ferry service.
Demolition-related work is expected to take approximately six months, pending weather and site conditions.
Lord Mayor Gavin Morris said the redevelopment is a unique opportunity. "Queens Wharf has been much-loved by Novocastrians and visitors to our city for decades, and it's time to continue that legacy for the next generation," Cr Morris said.
Almost 1,800 comments were received during recent community engagement, with 97% endorsing the project vision. A decision on what will be built on the site is set to be made by the Council in the 2026/27 financial year.
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