Demolition is about to get started at the southern end of the former Queen Mary Hospital site in Hanmer Springs.

Christchurch-based Protranz Earthmoving Ltd will begin demolition work of the Rutherford Ward at the end of the month, once the site is secured.

The Hurunui District Council purchased the 9.4ha South Block in October 2023 as part of a legacy project to bring new life to the former hospital site.

The hospital was closed 2003 and buildings fell into disrepair, with the council eventually gaining ownership of the entire site.

The council officially reopened the Soldiers’ Block on Anzac Day last year, after a $3.6m redevelopment, and there are plans restore other buildings on the site.

A working group of councillors and Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura representatives was formed earlier this year to develop a long term vision for the South Block.

This includes a mix of commercial, recreational and cultural uses over the next 20 years.

Mayor Marie Black said she was pleased to see the first stage of works on the South Block get under way.

‘‘This marks the beginning of the transformation of this special piece of the district’s history.’’

The council’s product development manager Graeme Abbot said the demolition will be carried out in stages to ensure the safety of other buildings on the site, community and staff.

‘‘This is a very exciting step forward for the future picture of the South Block. It’s great to finally see this work getting under way,’’ Mr Abbot said.

A focus of the demolition is on recycling and reusing materials to minimise what goes to landfill, he said.

‘‘The idea is to remove the lead-based paint from concrete and masonry surfaces prior to processing, allowing clean concrete to be crushed and reused on site as engineered backfill, and used for materials beneath future site developments.’’

Structural demolition will begin at the end of October and completed by the end of February, with the land area planted in grass.

Public drop-in meetings about the demolition of Rutherford Ward will be held on Monday, August 24, at 2.30pm and 6pm at the Hanmer Springs Service Centre and Library.