Delays to Southern Cross observation wheel rebuild
Reconstruction of Melbourne's troubled $100 million Southern Cross observation wheel has been suspended for another week as a result of wind damage.
High winds last week saw the partially-constructed 120-metre-high wheel break free from its moorings and begin spinning, resulting in workers evacuating the site and the closure of the adjacent Observation Way.
Following a meeting between WorkSafe; Southern Star Management and union representatives, Worksafe spokesman Michael Birt announced that an site exclusion zone would be applied to the site to determine what equipment and protections are needed, before workers can re-enter the site to assess if the wheel has been damaged.
A statement from Southern Star Management said that the incident had not damaged the wheel.
The statement read "engineers have attended the site and confirm there is no issue of safety or consequence to the permanent structure.
"All temporary connection points and bolts will be checked before winching and erection resumes."
The giant observation wheel, sited in Melbourne's Docklands, closed in January 2009 after a high summer temperatures caused buckling and cracks in the wheel braces and supports. It had been open for just 40 days.
Sanoyas Hishino Meisho Corporation, the designers and manufacturers of the Southern Star, agreed to carry out all deconstruction and reconstruction works with independent engineers signing off on all procedures throughout the program.
In May 2009 it was announced that the repairs would "take at least 12 months".
For more information go to www.thesouthernstar.com.au
Image shows how the Southern Star was meant to look on completion.
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