Gisborne “Inside Job” Internal Slab Removal Project

A highly technical internal demolition project in Gisborne, Melbourne involving a full internal strip-out and the removal of a concrete internal slab within an existing retained structure.

Project Overview

Project

Internal Partial Demolition

Location

Gisborne, Melbourne

Client

Gisborne, Melbourne

Duration

Precision Internal Demolition Sequence

Scope

Full Internal Strip-Out, Internal Slab Breakout, Confined Space Machine Works, Hand Demolition, and Internal Rebuild Preparation

Phase 1

Confined Structure Entry and Internal Works Setup

The project began inside the existing building, which meant all demolition activity had to be staged from within the structure itself. Machinery and crew were brought into the space through controlled access points, ensuring no impact on the surrounding retained walls.  

Internal protection measures were installed to manage vibration, debris spread, and contact with the building envelope. This created a controlled demolition zone inside the structure, allowing the team to work safely without affecting the integrity of the external shell. This phase is essential in internal demolition because it establishes a safe working environment before any structural elements are disturbed.

Phase 2

Full Internal Strip Out to Expose the Slab

A complete internal strip out was carried out to remove all non-structural elements and expose the concrete slab beneath. This was not a light clean out. The entire internal environment was taken back to bare structure to create a clear and predictable workspace.

Materials were removed manually in stages to maintain control in the confined conditions. This approach ensures that nothing interferes with machinery movement during slab breakout and that the internal structure remains stable throughout the process. A full strip out is a critical step in internal demolition because it eliminates hidden hazards and prepares the space for heavy mechanical work.

Phase 3

Confined Slab Breakout and In Site Demolition

The core stage of the project involved breaking up the internal concrete slab from within the existing building footprint. Compact machinery was brought into the space and operated with precise articulation to fracture the slab without transferring stress to the surrounding walls.

The slab was broken down in controlled sections to maintain stability and manage debris movement. Working in confined conditions requires a high level of operator skill because machinery must be positioned and moved with millimetre accuracy. This phase demonstrates Melway’s capability to deliver structural demolition in environments where space is limited and structural sensitivity is high.

Phase 4

Hybrid Hand and Machine Extraction Works

Due to restricted access and the need to protect the retained structure, a combined approach of machine and hand demolition was used to complete the slab removal. Machinery handled the bulk of the breakout, while hand crews followed to extract edge pieces, reinforced fragments, and sections that required delicate removal.

This hybrid method is essential in internal demolition because it allows the team to remove all material without damaging the surrounding structure. It also ensures that the internal space is fully cleared and ready for the next stage of construction.

Phase 5

Internal Reset and Clean Structural Handback

The project concluded with a complete internal reset. All slab material and debris were removed through controlled internal exits, leaving a clean and refined internal shell. The space was handed back as a bare structural envelope ready for rebuilding works.

This final stage highlights the precision and discipline required to complete a demolition project entirely from within a retained structure. The result is a fully transformed internal environment achieved through careful planning, controlled sequencing, and a combination of machine and hand demolition expertise.

Related Case Studies

Proven expertise in action—explore similar projects where we’ve delivered high-impact demolition and waste solutions across Melbourne.