With Ballina’s new Marine Rescue Tower nearing completion, the focus is now turning to demolishing the old ‘leaning tower’.
The Ballina Shire Council has announced that the demolition of the old tower, which was deemed unsafe, will begin on 3 October.
As part of the demolition of the old tower, the walkway along the North Wall break wall, adjacent to the tower, will be closed to pedestrians and cyclists from 7am to 4pm each day until 7 October.
The walkway along the break wall will remain open to pedestrians.
Meanwhile, the construction of the new $2.283 million tower is nearing completion and is expected to be finished next month.
Marine Rescue NSW decided to close the old radio tower building after several accidents over the years, including one where a volunteer was injured and concussed while climbing the stairs.
The new tower is being built by Woollam Constructions, and has a number of funding partners.
They include the Ballina Volunteer Marine Rescue fundraising effort of $150,000, Ballina Shire Council ($318,000), the Federal Government ($850,000) and various state government departments ($965,000).
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