In a case of second-time-lucky, aluminium giant Alcoa has demolished an abandoned power plant on Victoria's surf coast after an earlier attempt failed to do the job.
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The Anglesea power plant came crashing down at 1.15pm on Wednesday after standing strong against a first attempt five months ago.
Following the blast, which bystanders described as sounding similar to thunder claps, a large pile of rubble remained.
"Now that the structure has been demolished, it is expected to take up to six months to process and remove the mainly steel materials," site manager Warren Sharp said.
A large chimney stack still stands at the site. It was not slated for demolition.
Wind conditions were deemed suitable and a 550-metre exclusion zone was in place during the demolition, including roads and walking tracks surrounding the plant.
The Environmental Protection Authority was on the scene to monitor dust and asbestos air quality results will be made public as soon as possible, amid concerns the demolition might emit harmful particles.
Ahead of the demolition, litigation lawyer Roger Singh, who has represented hundreds of asbestos victims across Australia, warned of the possible threat to nearby communities.
"Residents are right to have their concerns as any dust given off which pollutes the surrounding area could result in the risk of residents developing asbestos diseases later down the track," he said in a statement.
The station and mine closed in 2015 before being subject to a 12-month asbestos removal program and the remaining steel from the structure will be recycled.
Australian Associated Press
