Demolition on a Grand Scale

This transformative project enabled the repurposing of 35.6ha in the long-established inner-city suburb of Subiaco. This redevelopment included the demolition of the home of WA football since 1908, the Subiaco Oval grandstands and associated infrastructure and the reinstatement of the iconic playing surface for shared community use.

Following the demolition of the grandstands, attention shifted to Perth’s original Children’s Hospital (Princess Margaret Hospital) This demolition required the removal of 16 buildings, some exceeding 10 stories in height, and the protection of significant heritage buildings.

These projects are some of the largest and most complex demolition projects in Western Australia’s recent history. Subiaco Stadium and Princess Margaret Hospital were locations with statewide significance and interest. This interest extended to deeply felt emotional attachments.

361 Degrees supported the project over several years, including mitigating construction impacts, stakeholder expectation management (including management of hazardous materials), communications, reference group preparation and participation, complaints management including database creation and management, property damage claim resolution, project communications reporting and provision of strategic advice to the project team and client.

The communications program was designed to address a number of high-risk issues, including:

• Demolition of a well-known public hospital and sporting facility with strong community attachment.
• Proximity to Perth Modern School and Bob Hawke College (adjacent to both sites).
• Large and established residential population surrounding the site.
• Community concern regarding the management of asbestos and air quality.
• Heritage protection.
• Extended demolition timeframe.
• Heavy vehicle movements and traffic impacts in an inner urban environment.
• High public and media interest.