Southern Star: Repairs 'to take at least 12 months'

Following extensive consultation with international and local experts, the management of Melbourne's Southern Star observation wheel have confirmed that an agreement has been reached with the manufacturer to commence rectification of the crippled $100 million observation wheel.

However, with the majority of the works taking place offsite, works are expected to take at least 12 months to complete.

Dismantling will begin in the next four weeks; including the temporary removal of the 21 cabins, followed by the disassembly and replacement of the outer structure, including rim and spoke sections. The columns, hub and wheel building will be retained. Sanoyas Hishino Meisho Corporation, the designers and manufacturers of the Southern Star, will carry out all works under the original warranty with independent engineers signing off on all procedures throughout the program.

Southern Star closed in January after only 40 days of operations when cracks were discovered in the steel.

Initially the cracks were thought to have been caused by Victoria's blistering heatwave but problems in wheel's original design were subsequently discovered.

31st March 2009 - DESIGN FAULT KEEPS SOUTHERN STAR SHUT

11th November 2008 - MELBOURNE’S NEWEST LANDMARK TO OPEN