Demolition in Cessnock and Kurri Kurri
Cessnock, Kurri Kurri and the old coalfield towns are full of timber workers' cottages, fibro additions and big backyard sheds. We clear these properties for rebuilds and renovations across the Cessnock local government area, planning around longer access driveways, rural residential lots and older materials.
- Asbestos taken out by SafeWork NSW licensed removalists
- Hazardous materials survey on older homes
- Services disconnection confirmed before work starts
- Clearance certificate before demolition resumes
Coalfield towns and their houses
Cessnock, Kurri Kurri, Weston, Abermain and Bellbird grew up around the coal mines. Many original homes are small timber workers' cottages on wide lots, often with fibro additions at the rear and a collection of sheds, garages and carports built over the decades. Alongside those are post-war fibro homes and later brick veneer houses.
When these properties change hands, the new owner often wants to clear the lot and build new, or keep the cottage and strip out the old rear additions.
Rural residential access
Out past the town centres, many properties sit on rural residential lots with long driveways, gates, culverts and soft ground. Access shapes the job. We check whether trucks can get in and turn around, whether a driveway will hold up to heavy loads, and whether wet weather will close access for a few days.
On larger lots there may be old water tanks, chicken sheds, pole sheds or a second dwelling, and these can be included in the same job.
Asbestos in cottages and sheds
A house finished before 1990 may well have asbestos somewhere in it, and in the coalfield towns it is common in fibro additions, eaves, wet areas and old roofing on sheds and garages. A hazardous materials survey ahead of demolition shows what is there. Removalists with a SafeWork NSW licence do the removal, SafeWork NSW gets advance notice, and the clearance certificate has to be in hand before anyone restarts work.
Some older backyards also hold broken sheeting dumped under the house or behind a shed. If you find pieces, leave them where they are and mention them when you contact us.
Approvals with Cessnock City Council
Demolition here goes through either a CDC (Complying Development Certificate) or a DA (Development Application) to Cessnock City Council. Some older buildings in the town centres have heritage controls, which usually means a DA. Check the planning controls for your property early.
Services
Electricity in the Cessnock area is supplied by Ausgrid and water and sewer by Hunter Water. Gas, where connected, is Jemena. The telecommunications line is disconnected too, and a Before You Dig Australia enquiry goes in ahead of excavation. On rural lots, we also ask about septic systems, bores and underground lines that may not show on standard plans.
Asking for a quote
Send through the address with pictures of the house, sheds and driveway, and a note on what you want cleared and what stays. If you have a survey or approval documents, include them.
Common questions
Can you clear old sheds and tanks on a rural lot?
Yes. Sheds, garages, tanks and outbuildings can be included with the house. Older sheds are checked for asbestos roofing and sheeting before they come down.
What if my driveway is too soft for trucks?
We look at the driveway on the first visit. Options include smaller trucks, waiting for dry weather or setting up a temporary hardstand near the house.
Can you keep the front cottage and remove the rear additions?
Yes. A partial demolition that removes old fibro additions while keeping the original cottage is a common job in Kurri Kurri and Cessnock. The approval sets what stays.
I found broken fibro in the backyard. What should I do?
Leave it alone and do not break it further. Mention it when you send your photos, and it can be tested and removed with the rest of the asbestos work.
Got an old Hunter house that needs to come down?
Put the address and a handful of photos into the quote form. We will check access, asbestos and the approval path, then send back a written quote.