newy.com.au – The University of Newcastle has appointed McMahon Services as principal contractor for the demolition of the Hunter Building at its Callaghan campus, with site establishment and internal strip out expected to begin in early 2027.
The demolition process is expected to take about 18 months. The neighbouring Bowman Building, Wonnayba Child Care and Special Education Building will also be demolished as part of the works.
The university says the Hunter Building has been earmarked for demolition since a 2020 feasibility study determined it had reached the end of its life because of its age, condition and contamination.
Interim chief operating officer Morven Cameron said community safety was the university’s top priority and it would work closely with SafeWork NSW during the staged demolition.
“The first phase will focus solely on the internal strip-out of the building. Students and staff will be unlikely to notice any external changes until later in 2027, when we will start to see the external structure dismantled.”
Vice-chancellor Professor Alex Zelinsky said there were no plans yet for the site’s future. He said the university would look for opportunities to honour the Hunter Building’s history.
“I know the Hunter Building holds many memories for our alumni, staff and community, and we will look for opportunities to honour that legacy as we say goodbye to this building,” Professor Zelinsky said.
Built in 1974 for the Newcastle Teachers’ College, the Hunter Building has served thousands of students across disciplines including teaching, visual and performing arts, humanities, administration and nursing.
It also housed the Griffith Duncan Theatre, named after the college’s founding principal. In 2025, the university renamed the School of Education Building to The Griffith Duncan Building in his honour.
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