2012 World Demolition Summit conference programme takes shape

One major draw at the 2012 World Demolition Summit is sure to be a presentation by Diana Stil, the current president of the New Zealand Demolition & Asbestos Association and managing director of Nikau Contractors Ltd, headquartered in Auckland. Diana will provide an overview of the demolition work currently under way in Christchurch following the February 2011 earthquake that devastated that city's centre and the surrounding region. NZDAA was heavily involved in the coordination efforts that heralded the commencement of the clear-up. She told D&Ri: "At that time we [Nikau] were the only association representative directly active working the NZ Urban Search And Rescue. That time was a very traumatic period we were all effected by but it was also an immense privilege to be a part of."

"It was through my association that the main NZ contractors were able to be quickly involved in first, the search and rescue through to what we have now, being the clearing of damaged buildings for the rebuild of Christchurch."

Other confirmed speakers to date include: Lars B. Sorenson (Brandis A/S) and William Sinclair (Safedem) on a challenging two-structure blowdown in Copenhagen, Denmark; Steve Jack (Magnox) and Andy Dyson (Erith) titles Nuclear Demolition: A Collaborative Approach; Despe's Stephano Panseri on the first outing for the TopDown high rise deconstruction system in Lyon, France; Dick Green on another blowdown in Sheffield, UK; and Cardem's Patrick Frye, who will report on the demolition of three chimneys at a power station in Richemont, France

There will be further project reports on recent major, challenging demolition projects from around the world and other content that will cover a range of possible topics including safety, training and recycling issues. It is likely that Dominic Swords will once again open the day's proceedings with an analysis of the current financial situation worldwide and its potential impact on the demolition industry.