Work stopped on demolition site as tempers flare, neighbour hospitalised after alleged assault

A man was hospitalised after an alleged assault, and a stop work order has been placed on a North Wollongong demolition site after a long list of complaints from neighbours about unsafe work practices boiled over on Thursday afternoon.

Neighbours say they’d been complaining for weeks about excessive noise, clouds of dust and debris flying over the fence hitting their apartment block in Pleasant Avenue during demolition work on the Beach Park Motel, which is being redeveloped for a new unit complex.

SafeWork NSW confirmed it attended the work site in September and issued four notices.

Neighbours have since raised issues with Wollongong Council, the Environment Protection Authority, the demolition company and the developer of the site.

These issues included allegations that neighbours had been abused and threatened by those working on site when they regularly raised concerns about dust and noise during the demolition of the old motel. One neighbour said a single garden hose was being used in an attempt to suppress dust on site, which he said was inadequate.

Last week matters escalated when a large truck dumped tonnes of concrete blocks onto the site, as neighbours feared more noise and dust if the concrete was to be crushed on site.

Council was notified of this incident, which neighbours claimed was a breach of the DA conditions.

On Thursday afternoon a neighbour approached the demolition team, asking them to be careful not to damage a plant that he’d been caring for.

Police have confirmed a 59-year-old man was treated for facial injuries after an alleged assault. He was taken to Wollongong Hospital by ambulance.

A witness alleges the man was punched in the face, fell backwards and lost consciousness.

On Friday, in a statement, Rapid Demolition Pty Ltd confirmed an incident did take place just off the demolition site, involving one of their employees and a member of the public.

“That employee has been stood down indefinitely pending the outcome of investigations currently being undertaken by the relevant authorities and our own internal investigations,” said Rapid Demolition's director, Ryan Glover.

“Rapid Demolition maintains a strong commitment to a zero-harm workplace. We do not tolerate any form of violence or inappropriate conduct and do not support the actions of the individual involved. We extend our sincere well wishes to the resident affected and hope for a full recovery.”

The injured man spent Thursday night in hospital for observation before being discharged on Friday.

In a letter delivered to neighbours on Friday afternoon, the developer of the site, Modco, said: “Following a review of site operations, we advise that Rapid Demolitions has been removed from the project. This decision has been made to ensure that the project continues to progress in a manner that upholds the standards of safety, professionalism, and community consideration that Modco maintains across all of our projects.”

Wollongong Council is the Principal Certifier for this development. A spokesperson for Council said a site visit by its officers on Friday confirmed “several non-compliances, including unauthorised material storage and dust suppression measures”.

The developer was formally notified to stop all work on the site until Monday.

“Before works recommence, effective dust suppression measures must be implemented, and all existing demolition waste stockpiles removed,” a Council spokesperson said.

In its letter to affected neighbours, Modco said it would be present on site to oversee all of the remaining demolition works to be undertaken by a newly appointed contractor.

“As part of the next stage of works we will be commencing the removal of the existing concrete slab which will require the use of hammering equipment. Residents should be aware that this process will generate periods of elevated noise, however, please be assured that all works undertaken will strictly be within approved construction hours and in full accordance with local regulations and workplace safety requirements. We reaffirm our commitment to being respectful and responsible neighbours throughout the entirety of the project.”

In its statement, Rapid Demolitions said: “This was an isolated and unfortunate incident and the actions of one individual should not reflect on the reputation of a small family business, or on the developer who is working to deliver high-quality developments for the community."

Police were seeking a man who fled the scene of Thursday’s alleged assault. He was described as late 40s to early 50s, 180cm tall, of medium build and at the time he was wearing a grey singlet and black shorts and driving a white ute.