'Risk of collapse': Dunedin Gasworks chimney worse than first thought
Inspections have found significant localised damage in the upper sections of the chimney.
Photo:
SUPPLIED / DUNEDIN CITY COUNCIL
Part of the country's only gasworks museum is at risk of collapse with work to remove the risk expected to start later this week.
The Dunedin Gasworks Museum was closed last month to assess the safety of its 25-metre high chimney stack after possible earthquake damage.
The Dunedin City Council owns the Category 1 historic place, and said a recent update showed the condition was worse than first thought.
The council's property services group manager Anna Nilsen said detailed inspections had been carried out using drones and crane access.
"These show that in addition to the cracks and movement within the structure we already knew about, there is significant localised damage in the upper sections of the chimney that pose a risk of collapse once we start work," she said.
Dunedin Gasworks in a photo taken about 1880.
Photo:
Dunedin Gasworks Museum
Supports would be installed to secure it and allow contractors to deconstruct it safely while mitigating the risk of an uncontrolled collapse, she said.
"We remain committed to saving as much of the chimney as possible, but it's a complex job and public safety is the top priority."
The council has been working closely with the Dunedin Gasworks Museum Trust
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
an hour ago
- RNZ News
Central Wellington roads closed after fire at Kāinga Ora apartment
Emergency services attend a fire on Boulcott Street, Wellington. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii Two central Wellington roads have been closed after a fire at a Kāinga Ora apartment building. There were ambulances at the corner of Boulcott and Church Streets about 2pm on Thursday, along with as many as seven firetrucks and at least three police cars. A FENZ spokesperson said they had responded to a fire alarm activation, where two sprinklers went off because of a fire on the second floor. One person was removed from the building, and left in the care of ambulance staff. Kāinga Ora says there has been a fire at one of its central Wellington apartments. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii Crews from seven stations responded, and the fire was out by about 2.30pm. Emergency services had blocked off both streets. RNZ's reporter at the scene says there is a smell of smoke in the air, but no flames are visible.
RNZ News
an hour ago
- RNZ News
Central Wellington road closed as emergency services rush to fire
Emergency services attend a fire on Boulcott Street, Wellington. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii Emergency services have blocked off a central Wellington street to all but residents. There were ambulances at the corner of Boulcott and Church Streets about 2pm on Thursday, and as many as seven firetrucks and at least three police cars. There is a smell of smoke in the air, but no flames are visible. More to come...
RNZ News
2 hours ago
- RNZ News
The National Library set to destroy 500,000 books
books national 43 minutes ago Yesterday morning, the National Library of New Zealand began the process of destroying half a million books and says they're going to be shredded and fed back into the recycling system. The library claims they've been trying to re-home them since 2018, that there's no demand, and that most haven't been requested in decades. Book dealer and Hard To Find Books owner Warwick Jordan disputes this. There is a demand, he says. In fact, he wants them himself, and says he's already made several offers. Warwick Jordan and National Library director of content services Mark Crookston speak to Jesse.
