Demolition & Excavation Contractors Inner West Sydney
The Inner West has one of the most varied built environments in Sydney – Victorian terraces, Edwardian cottages, interwar bungalows, post-war warehouse conversions, and 1960s to 80s infill housing all within close proximity. Demolition here is rarely straightforward. Heritage Conservation Areas are extensive, blocks are often narrow and tightly bounded by neighbours, and the Inner West Council is one of the most active heritage councils in NSW.
With a Rose Bay office at 643 Old South Head Road, Rose Bay NSW 2029, our crews reach Newtown, Marrickville, Leichhardt, and Balmain in 20 to 25 minutes. We hold a SafeWork NSW Restricted Demolition Licence (DE2 – AD214489) and deliver house demolition, heritage partial demolition, warehouse strip-out, asbestos removal, and excavation across the Inner West Council area and surrounding LGAs.
What Gets Demolished in the Inner West
The Inner West’s demolition work spans a wider range of building types than almost any other part of Sydney. Each type brings its own compliance requirements, access challenges, and scope considerations.
Victorian and Edwardian Terraces
Common in Balmain, Leichhardt, Annandale, Glebe, and Newtown. Many are heritage-listed or within Heritage Conservation Areas. Full demolition of a terrace is rare – partial demolition of rear extensions and garages, and strip-out of interiors, is far more common. Where full demolition is approved, it follows a DA process with Inner West Council.
Key constraint: Heritage listing and HCA provisions under Inner West LEP 2022
Interwar and Post-War Homes
Californian bungalows, fibro cottages, and brick veneer homes from the 1920s through to the 1970s are common across Marrickville, Dulwich Hill, Ashfield, and Tempe. Many pre-1987 homes contain asbestos. Knockdown-rebuild is increasingly active as land values have risen sharply across this belt. Dual-occupancy development is common where zoning permits.
Key constraint: Asbestos in pre-1987 homes; heritage conservation areas in parts of Marrickville
Warehouses and Industrial Buildings
Marrickville, St Peters, Sydenham, Alexandria, and Tempe contain a significant stock of older industrial and warehouse buildings – many now being converted to residential, creative, or mixed-use developments. Full structural demolition, interior strip-out, and partial demolition for adaptive reuse are all active in this precinct.
Key constraint: Potential for hazardous materials beyond asbestos including lead paint and contaminated land
Commercial and Retail Premises
Interior strip-out of commercial and retail premises along Parramatta Road, King Street, and Illawarra Road for tenancy transitions and refits. Hard strip back to structure, removal of partitions, ceilings, fitouts, and mechanical services.
Key constraint: Working hours restrictions in commercial precincts and residential interface zones
Inner West Council – One of Sydney’s Most Active Heritage Councils
Inner West Council administers one of the largest and most complex heritage frameworks in NSW. The Inner West LEP 2022 lists hundreds of individual heritage items and covers extensive Heritage Conservation Areas across Balmain, Glebe, Leichhardt, Annandale, and Marrickville. Understanding what applies to your specific property before lodging any application is essential.
Even non-listed structures can require a DA if they are within a Heritage Conservation Area or if demolition may affect the heritage significance of an adjacent listed item. This is one of the most common reasons Inner West demolition projects stall – the wrong approval pathway is chosen at the outset. We identify the correct pathway during your free site assessment.
When CDC Applies
A Complying Development Certificate applies to standard residential demolitions on properties that are not heritage-listed and not within a Heritage Conservation Area. CDC is approved by a private certifier – typically 10 to 20 days. Asbestos assessment, utility disconnection evidence, and adjoining owner notification are required.
Applicable in: parts of Marrickville, Dulwich Hill, Ashfield, Tempe, Sydenham outside HCAs
When DA Is Required
A full Development Application with Inner West Council is required for: heritage-listed properties, properties within Heritage Conservation Areas, and demolition of non-contributory buildings within a Heritage Conservation Area where Council policy requires assessment. DA timeframes are 60 to 120 days for heritage-affected applications.
Applicable in: Balmain, Leichhardt, Glebe, Annandale, much of Newtown and parts of Marrickville
SafeWork NSW, utility disconnections, and asbestos
Regardless of the approval pathway, all Inner West demolition projects involving asbestos above 10m2 require a SafeWork NSW notification lodged at least 5 business days before works begin. Utility disconnections with Ausgrid, Jemena Gas, and Sydney Water must be completed before demolition commences. We manage all of these on your behalf.
Project Insight
Heritage Partial Demolition and Rear Extension Removal – Marrickville
A 1920s bungalow in Marrickville with a non-heritage rear extension and a detached garage was referred to us ahead of a renovation that required both structures to be removed. The property was within a Heritage Conservation Area but the bungalow itself was not listed – the rear extension and garage were identified as non-contributory structures, requiring a DA with Inner West Council rather than a CDC.
We prepared the DA application documentation including heritage impact assessment, asbestos report, and neighbour notification. Asbestos was identified in the fibro garage cladding and was removed by licensed contractors before demolition commenced. The rear extension was demolished with care to avoid any impact on the original bungalow’s heritage fabric, and the garage was fully demolished and removed.
The rear yard was cleared and levelled, and the site was handed over with all compliance documentation including the asbestos clearance certificate and DA conditions compliance report.
Scope: DA support + asbestos removal + partial demolition of rear extension and garage | Location: Marrickville, Inner West Council
Areas we cover
Our Location
Rose Bay Office – 20 Minutes from the Inner West
Get It Away operates from 643 Old South Head Road, Rose Bay NSW 2029. Our Rose Bay office is 20 to 25 minutes from Newtown, Marrickville, Leichhardt, and Balmain via the Eastern Distributor and City Road corridor. We are familiar with Inner West Council’s heritage framework, local certifiers, and the access challenges that come with demolition on Inner West streets.
The Inner West’s narrow streets, terrace rows, and dense urban fabric require careful site management. Our teams plan hoarding, machine access, and tipper movements to minimise impact on neighbours and comply with council requirements throughout every project.
We also operate from our Smithfield office, giving us full coverage across Greater Sydney for projects that span multiple areas.
Get It Away Demolition and Excavations
643 Old South Head Road, Rose Bay NSW 2029
Rose Bay office – 643 Old South Head Road, Rose Bay NSW 2029
Other areas served from our Rose Bay office
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Heritage and residential demolition across Bondi, Paddington, Randwick, and the Eastern Suburbs
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Prestige residential demolition, KDR, and excavation across the Lower and Upper North Shore
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Commercial strip-out, structural demolition, and basement excavation in Sydney CBD and surrounds
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Coastal KDR, pool removal, and site clearing across Manly, Dee Why, and the Northern Beaches
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Residential demolition, asbestos removal, and KDR across Hurstville, Kogarah, and the St George area
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Knockdown-rebuild, asbestos removal, and dual-occupancy preparation across Randwick and Kingsford
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Residential and industrial demolition across Botany, Mascot, Rockdale, and the Bayside area
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KDR, dual-occupancy demolition, and site preparation across Five Dock, Drummoyne, and Rhodes
Start Your Inner West Project Today
From heritage partial demolitions in Balmain to warehouse strip-outs in Marrickville and residential KDR across Dulwich Hill and Ashfield, Get It Away delivers Inner West projects from our Rose Bay office with the heritage knowledge, licences, and fixed pricing that property owners rely on.
Get It Away Demolition and Excavations | ABN: 69 145 254 119 | SafeWork NSW Demolition Licence: DE2 – AD214489
643 Old South Head Road, Rose Bay NSW 2029 | info@getitaway.com.au
