PHOTONEWS: Demolition stage almost complete

The final stages of the demolition work on the former Orange Base Hospital site has begun this week.

Large piles of dirt are being removed from the site and being disposed of appropriately,” said  Orange City Council’s Manager of Corporate and Community Relations, Nick Redmond.

“Dust suppression water sprays are being used during this earthworks stage, which is expected to be completed by the end of the week.”

In order to prevent erosion, the site will be levelled off and grass seed will be planted, he said.

Weather permitting, this project will be completed by mid-August.

Repairs are also being made to the existing fence around the site, which will be kept in place.

The Department of Primary Industries will move into a new purpose-built home on the site of the former Orange Base Hospital by the end of 2020.

Earlier this month, NSW Primary Industries Minister Niall Blair announced that the site had been chosen for a new purpose-built home for the Department of Primary Industries’ 700 staff.

The new facility will occupy the eastern half of the old hospital site and include a three-storey building with multi-level car parking. The new building will also be home to Department of Premier and Cabinet and Local Land Service employees.

The construction process is expected to bring $30 million worth of activity into Orange and generate up to 200 jobs on site.

Orange City Council’s Employment and Economic Committee chair, Cr Jeff Whitton, said Council has plans to see ‘urban-style metropolitan housing’ built on the remaining half of the old hospital site.