Exploring the benefits and costs of deconstruction

Waste is a significant and growing problem in the construction industry, contributing to roughly 44% of the total waste in Australia¹ and costing approximately $2 billion to dispose of each year² .

Demolition waste is a large contributor to overall waste in the construction industry. Landcom is partnering with the University of Wollongong to examine some of the costs and benefits of deconstruction and diversion of demolition waste. We hope to demonstrate that deconstruction can be a viable alternative to demolition, and result in improved environmental, economic and social outcomes.

The former Bulli Hospital site is an important site for the local community, with many people holding stories and memories as staff, patients, and visitors to the hospital when it was operational. The buildings are dilapidated and contain hazardous materials including asbestos, lead paint and biological hazards and are therefore not fit for repurposing.

With support from our lead contractor, researchers are observing the demolition process and engaging with both the contractor and the project team to understand the challenges and opportunities with deconstruction and minimising waste in the demolition process.

The quantity and quality of available materials for reuse or secondary markets is being noted, as is the embodied carbon of these materials compared to if they were purchased ‘as new’. Any changes to labour costs are also considered, as are transportation emissions and costs.

Pending the outcomes of this research, Landcom hopes to apply deconstruction to future projects and promote our findings to industry.

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^{1 National Waste Report 2020.
2 Australian Bureau of Statistics – Waste Account.}