Nelson Hospital Chimney Demolition

After more than 60 years overlooking Nelson South, the 36-metre hospital chimney – locally known as “The Crayon”- has been carefully deconstructed by our Nelson-based team.

Originally built in 1959 to service the hospital’s boiler house, the chimney stood as a well-known landmark along Waimea Road. In 2019, it was identified as an earthquake risk, prompting its removal as part of the hospital’s transition from coal-fired heating to renewable energy sourced from local landfill gas.

This high-profile project attracted significant community interest, with locals closely following progress from initial site establishment through to final removal.

Led by one of our experienced Project Managers, Scotty, the works were delivered with a strong focus on safety, precision, and leadership on site. A 110-tonne crane was used to position a hydraulic concrete processing attachment, enabling the structure to be methodically collapsed inward. Material was then safely managed at ground level using excavators. To minimise disruption to the surrounding hospital environment and community, scrim was installed around the structure to effectively control dust throughout all stages of the works.

Sustainability remained a key driver across the project. Through careful planning and execution, 97.82% of materials – equating to over 140 tonnes – were successfully diverted from landfill. This included approximately 125 tonnes of concrete, which was recycled locally, and over 16 tonnes of metal. Just 2.18% of materials, slightly over three tonnes, required landfill disposal.

This outcome reflects our ongoing commitment to sustainable deconstruction practices and our ability to deliver complex projects with environmental responsibility at the forefront.

While the removal of “The Crayon” marks the end of an era for Nelson, we’re proud to have delivered a result that prioritised safety, efficiency, and long-term sustainability.