Cranes come down at the Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital

The two massive cranes atop the ninth floor of the Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital are now down as the main hospital structure is complete.

Dismantling the cranes was no easy feat. It takes one crane to bring down another crane.

The cranes, named ‘Big Billy’ and ‘Betty’ in a ‘Name the Cranes’ competition last year, were each 35 metres tall with a reach of 55 metres. Big Billy assisted Betty to come down first, then a 220 tonne mobile crane arrived to demobilise Big Billy.

When open in early 2019, the specialist maternity and paediatric hospital will feature more than 200 beds, 20 delivery rooms and 39 special care nursery cots.

The new Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital will allow for more women in Melbourne’s west to be able to give birth and access children’s services closer to home.