Major demolition will benefit community and environment

Internal demolition of a prominent Sunshine Coast building is making way for a vibrant creative and community hub, with almost all materials removed to be given a new life.

Redevelopment work to transform Council’s Caloundra administration building in Omrah Avenue into an integrated community facility with a contemporary district library and meeting spaces is well underway.

Sunshine Coast Council’s Division 2 Councillor Terry Landsberg said crews had so far dismantled and cleared the internal areas of the basement, ground floor and Level 1.

“Level 2, which housed the former Council chambers, will soon be completed,” Cr Landsberg said.

“The next major works will see the demolition of a section of the existing Level 1 floor slab to allow for a new double ground floor height entrance and tiered seating area.

“This will provide a fantastic feature and functional space for our new library and community facility. 

“Due to the nature of these specific demolition works, there will be temporary increased construction noise in the coming weeks, and we appreciate the community’s patience and understanding while this important part of the new facility is created.

“A key part of the project is to maximise sustainability outcomes by reusing and recycling demolished materials. 

“Greenstar ratings, which are the aim of this building’s design, target 90 per cent recycling and to date this is being exceeded.

“The construction waste from this project, including steel, copper, glass, plasterboard, ceiling tiles, concrete and soil, is being returned to the circular economy for reuse, resale and recycling towards other construction projects.”

Cr Landsberg said when construction materials were removed, they would be carefully sorted into separate stockpiles on site before being collected and taken to their reuse or recycle processing solutions. 

“Remaining mixed waste material, which represents a small percentage of total waste to date, is being separated, loaded and transported to approved waste facilities for further sorting and processing, with only non-recyclable materials transferred to landfill.

“Additionally, a range of furniture located at the Caloundra Administration Building and destined for landfill has been traded – and given new purpose through the use of the online marketplace-style ASPIRE platform.

“The platform is accessible to all organisations with an ABN and is free if you have fewer than 100 full time staff.”

Library+ at Caloundra will be located in the heart of the Community + Creative Hub which will provide an integrated space.

This will connect The Events Centre, the proposed new Regional Gallery and new Town Square through to Bulcock Street.

Library+ at Caloundra will have a minimum 5-Star Green Star Design and As Built accreditation target.

It will include a contemporary district library, customer service centre and community spaces on the first two levels.

Council administration and councillor offices and additional bookable community meeting spaces will be located on the top floor.

How to stay informed

You can find out more information on Council’s website. Visit sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au and search “Caloundra Centre Activation Project.

To stay up to date on Caloundra precinct projects; including the new Library+, Regional Gallery and Community + Creative Hub, please subscribe here.