Demolition
Post-war houses, commercial premises on the main streets, and farm and grain-handling buildings, with services disconnected and the site levelled.
Demolition and asbestos removal in Dalby and the Western Downs
Burke Industries runs demolition, Class A asbestos removal, contaminated soil and civil jobs in Dalby from our yard in Harristown, about 86 km east along the Warrego Highway. Public contract records show recent work at Dalby, Chinchilla, Miles and Drillham. We hold WorkSafe Queensland asbestos licence 2302383 and have operated since 1987.
What does Dalby's building stock mean for demolition and asbestos?
Dalby grew from a Myall Creek crossing in the 1840s into a railway hub after the line arrived from Toowoomba in 1868. The town's big growth came after the war: the population rose from 6,182 in 1954 to 8,997 by 1976. A large share of Dalby's houses, schools and public buildings date from those decades, when asbestos cement sheeting and low density board were standard. The 2021 Census counted 12,758 residents, with separate houses making up 91% of occupied dwellings.
Flooding adds another layer. Myall Creek's record flood in February 1981 inundated about 700 homes and 140 businesses. Four large floods followed between December 2010 and January 2011, and another peaked at 3.60 m in March 2022. Flood-damaged fibro and ceilings need testing before repair or demolition, because water-damaged asbestos cement can become friable.
What approvals does a demolition in Dalby need?
- Building approval.
- Western Downs Regional Council lists demolition as building work that needs building approval. Council still offers a certification service, and its 2026-27 fee for demolishing a Class 1 or 10 building is $375 per allotment. Class 2–9 demolition is certified privately at cost plus 15%.
- Heritage.
- The Western Downs Planning Scheme 2017 (Major Amendment No. 2, in effect from 28 July 2025) includes a heritage overlay and a list of local heritage places, such as Dalby's 1932 art deco council chambers. Check the overlay before you plan to demolish an older building in the town centre.
- Removal and relocation.
- Under council's Removal or Relocation of Buildings Policy, the security bond is set from the work needed to finish the job, and any asbestos must be removed by a licensed removalist before the building is transported.
Where does Dalby demolition waste go?
| Material | Western Downs facility | 2026-27 fee |
|---|---|---|
| Asbestos, up to 175 kg | Dalby Waste & Recycling Centre (special burial) | $728/t, minimum $72.82 |
| Bulk asbestos | Winfields Road Landfill (Jandowae Waste Management Centre) | $293/t, minimum $146.77 |
| Commercial construction and demolition waste | Dalby | $244/t |
| Clean crushed concrete, 40 mm or smaller | Dalby | No charge |
| Clean concrete over 40 mm | Dalby | $87/t |
| Contaminated soil | Winfields Road only | Price on application |
Free disposal of clean crushed concrete makes recycling on site especially worthwhile in Dalby. Our mobile crusher can reduce demolition concrete to 40 mm or smaller so it can be reused or taken to the facility at no gate fee. The Western Downs is in the regional zone of the Queensland waste levy.
What can Burke do for you in Dalby?
Asbestos removal
Class A removal for friable materials such as LDB ceilings in 1960s–70s school blocks. In 2023 we carried out Class A asbestos removal at Miles Police Station for QBuild.
Contaminated soil removal
Fuel storage, livestock dips and machinery yards are common notifiable activities on the Downs. We have removed contaminated soil for QBuild in Dalby and at Drillham State School.
Earthmoving and civil
Site preparation, hardstands and grounds works on the region's reactive black soils, including grounds works at Warra State School in 2024.
Fire hydrants
Hydrant and hose reel installation and maintenance for commercial and industrial buildings in Dalby, under QBCC licence 48707.
Concrete recycling
On-site crushing reduces the concrete you have to truck away, and crushed concrete of 40 mm or smaller goes into Dalby's facility at no charge.
Recent Burke jobs around Dalby
| Site | Work (QBuild) | Year | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dalby | Removal and disposal of contaminated soil, stage 1 | 2023–24 | About $356,000 |
| Dalby | Asbestos removal and associated works | 2023 | $116,050 |
| Dalby South State School | Refurbishment of student amenities | 2021 | $28,738 |
| Chinchilla State High School | Replacing LDB sheeting, A Block administration ceiling | 2023 | $351,780 |
| Drillham State School | Contaminated soil removal | 2022 | $327,250 |
| Warra State School | Tennis court and grounds repairs | 2024 | $203,467 and $128,122 |
| Miles Police Station | Class A asbestos removal | 2023 | $45,210 |
How do we mobilise to Dalby?
Dalby is about 86 km from our Harristown yard, a drive of roughly an hour and ten minutes along the Warrego Highway. Plant and bins travel from Harristown for each job, and the same crews and supervisors who work in Toowoomba run Dalby sites, under the same licences and paperwork. We also work across the surrounding district, including Jimbour, Bowenville, Macalister, Kaimkillenbun, Bell, Warra, Cecil Plains, Chinchilla and Miles.
Dalby questions
Do I need council approval to demolish a building in Dalby?
Yes. Western Downs Regional Council treats demolition as building work that needs building approval. Council's 2026-27 certification fee for demolishing a Class 1 or 10 building is $375 per allotment, and Class 2–9 demolition is certified privately at cost plus 15%. Local heritage places under the Western Downs Planning Scheme may also need planning approval.
Where can asbestos be disposed of near Dalby?
The Dalby Waste & Recycling Centre accepts asbestos up to 175 kg as special burial, at $728 per tonne in 2026-27. Bulk asbestos goes to Winfields Road Landfill near Jandowae at $293 per tonne. Tara, Wandoan, Bell and smaller rural sites don't accept asbestos. Commercial jobs need a licensed removalist and proper waste documentation.
How far is Dalby from Burke Industries?
Our yard is at Harristown in Toowoomba, about 86 km from Dalby along the Warrego Highway, roughly an hour and ten minutes' drive. Crews, plant and bins mobilise from Harristown, and Dalby jobs are run under the same licences, supervisors and documentation as our Toowoomba work.
Has Burke worked in the Western Downs before?
Yes. Queensland Government contract records show Burke delivering contaminated soil removal and asbestos removal in Dalby, LDB ceiling replacement at Chinchilla State High School, contaminated soil removal at Drillham State School, grounds works at Warra State School, and Class A asbestos removal at Miles Police Station, all for QBuild between 2021 and 2024.
Is crushed concrete free to dispose of in Dalby?
Clean crushed concrete of 40 mm or smaller is accepted at the Dalby Waste & Recycling Centre at no charge in 2026-27. Clean concrete over 40 mm costs $87 per tonne, and mixed commercial demolition waste $244 per tonne. Crushing on site before disposal can significantly cut demolition costs.
Planning work in Dalby?
Send us the site address, the scope and any asbestos register. We'll set up a site inspection and give you a scoped price, including mobilisation and local disposal.
Sources
- Queensland Places: Dalby. history, railway 1868, 1932 council chambers, population 1954–1976, grain, cotton, Kogan Creek, ethanol, coal seam gas.
- ABS 2021 QuickStats: Dalby (SAL30792). 12,758 people; 91.1% separate houses.
- Bureau of Meteorology: Condamine and Myall Creek flood brochure. 1981 record, 2010–11 floods, 2022 peak.
- WDRC: building approval process
- WDRC 2026-27 fees and charges. demolition certification and waste fees
- WDRC: Western Downs Planning Scheme 2017. Major Amendment No. 2, commenced 28 Jul 2025; heritage overlay
- WDRC: Removal or Relocation of Buildings Policy
- WDRC: waste facilities. Dalby Waste & Recycling Centre
- Queensland Government: waste levy map. Western Downs in the regional zone
- SL 2026 No. 87. Western Downs in the regional zone
- data.qld.gov.au. Burke contracts: Queensland Government contract disclosures (Energy and Public Works 2020–24; DHLGPPW 2024).
- OpenStreetMap routing estimate; Wikipedia locality data. Road distance about 86 km, about 1 hr 10 min: OpenStreetMap routing estimate. Neighbouring localities from Wikipedia locality data.