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McMahon Services completes twin boiler demolition
03 November 2025
McMahon Services has completed the safe charge fall of the twin boilers at the Bell Bay Power Station in Tasmania, marking a key milestone in the site’s ongoing decommissioning project.
Photo: McMahon Services
The controlled demolition brought down a 4,000-tonne structure just before midday on Tuesday, following more than 100,000 hours of work to reach this stage.
Extensive safety and logistical measures were in place, including a marine exclusion zone and traffic management along the adjacent highway.
Tasmanian Minister Nicholas Duigan MLC acknowledged the planning and precision involved in the operation, noting the recycling of thousands of tonnes of steel recovered from the buildings.
Hydro Tasmania’s Craig Emmett also highlighted the collaboration between McMahon Services and Hydro Tasmania’s specialist teams in managing community engagement and minimising risks to nearby infrastructure.
The latest phase follows earlier works carried out by McMahon Services at the Bell Bay site, including the controlled demolition of the main power station building using 28 kg of explosives within a 400 m exclusion zone.
The decommissioning programme, undertaken in partnership with Hydro Tasmania, will clear the way for ABEL Energy’s planned green hydrogen and methanol facility.
All remaining demolition activities, including the final planned charge fall, are expected to be completed by early 2026.
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