Local

Junee’s fire-ravaged buildings disappear from streetscape

Published

2 days ago

May 5, 2026

Thursday, April 30, 2026 | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

MORE than a year after a devastating blaze ripped through two businesses in the heart of Junee, the fire-ravaged buildings that had stood in the town for more than a century are finally coming down.

The Lisgar Street site, left blackened and structurally compromised following the February 10, 2025 inferno, has undergone a visible transformation, with large sections of the remaining structure now dismantled and substantial volumes of brick and debris removed.

The fire, which destroyed a much-loved local sewing shop and dance studio, triggered the town’s largest emergency response in four years, with close to 50 firefighters deployed to battle the blaze.

Despite their efforts, the adjoining buildings were lost, leaving behind a hollowed shell that stood for more than a year as a stark reminder of the destruction.

That shell remained largely untouched for seven months before Junee Shire Council issued a formal demolition order on September 16, 2025, requiring the complete removal of the structure and clearance of the site within 120 days.

That deadline expired on January 14, 2026, with limited visible progress at the time.

However, in response to questions on notice from Councillor David Carter in March, Council said demolition had been “steadily progressing, although slowly” throughout 2026, adding staff continued to monitor the site rather than pursue further regulatory action.

While acknowledging the original compliance period had lapsed, Council reiterated progress on site had been sufficient to avoid escalation.

The gutted buildings remained largely untouched for seven months before Junee Shire Council issued a formal demolition order | Image: Supplied

Fresh attention was drawn to the site on April 10, following a major dust storm that swept across the region the previous afternoon, with Bureau of Meteorology data showing wind gusts of up to 70km/h as the front moved through the district.

The Junee Seniors Centre, which sits directly across the lane from the damaged buildings, issued an urgent notice advising the facility and surrounding area were off-limits due to concerns about a potential collapse.

Photographs taken on April 12 showed a significant accumulation of loose bricks and debris along the front of the building, suggesting part of the already weakened façade may have given way, or that unstable masonry had fallen from the structure.

While it’s unclear whether any structural failure occurred as a direct result of the storm, sections of the carpark in front of the Lisgar Street site were cordoned off, and the lane between the buildings and the seniors hall was temporarily closed.

Sunday, April 12, 2026 | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Sunday, April 12, 2026 | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Sunday, April 12, 2026 | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

By April 17, Junee Seniors confirmed access to the hall had been fully restored following advice from Council, indicating the immediate safety concerns had been addressed.

Since then, activity at the site has escalated, with demolition intensifying and the remaining structure continuing to be dismantled.

On Monday, April 27, workers were observed demolishing sections of the structure, with brick walls being pulled down and debris cleared from the site.

What remained of the former So Dance Junee premises has now been completely demolished, while only a handful of external walls are still standing at the adjoining Brick Lane Sewing building.

The site has also been substantially cleaned up, with new fencing erected around the perimeter to prevent access and screen the demolition works from public view.

The visible progress marks a significant shift after months of limited activity, with the long-standing shell now rapidly disappearing from the streetscape.

Once fully cleared, the land is expected to remain vacant until future plans for the site are determined.

Having occupied a prominent position in Lisgar Street for more than a year, the removal of the long-standing eyesore and the risks associated with it will come as a welcome relief to nearby businesses, community groups and residents.