Underground Fuel Tank Removal — Culburra Beach

Underground fuel tank lifted out whole by excavator, Culburra Beach — A 10,000 litre underground fuel tank lifted out whole.

Location	Culburra Beach, Shoalhaven
Client	The PSA Group
Completed	August 2026
Scope	Removal and disposal of two underground steel fuel tanks (approx. 10,000 litres each) from a former service station
Method	Gas-free certification, excavation, whole-tank extraction with a 23 t excavator, transport to a licensed facility, backfill and compaction
Safety	Zero incidents
Licence	Demolition AD214216 — chemical installation condition

The site

The site was a former service station that had been disused for more than twenty years. The buildings were already gone, but two underground steel fuel tanks were still in the ground. An earlier attempt to dig them out had been started and paused, leaving the tanks exposed in an open excavation full of standing water. A trading pharmacy sat next door, with a public footpath running along the boundary.

Water-filled fuel tank excavation on arrival at the former service station — The water-filled excavation on arrival.

A licensed job

Removing underground fuel tanks counts as demolition of a chemical installation. That work can only be done under a demolition licence that carries the chemical installation condition. DemoEx’s licence (AD214216) carries it, so the job was done under our own licence, with SafeWork NSW notified before work started.

Gas-free first

Nothing touched the tanks until they were safe. The tanks were pumped out and checked to be gas free before removal, with gas-free certificates issued for both. Until those certificates were sighted and held on site, there was no digging near the tanks and no attempt to lift them. No hot work, no ignition sources and no entry into the tanks — at any stage.

Underground steel fuel tank exposed in the trench — A tank exposed in the trench before removal.

Out whole

Our crew battered the excavation back to a safe angle, then exposed each tank and lifted it out whole with a 23 t excavator, inside a full exclusion zone. Both tanks came out intact — no cutting was needed. We loaded them whole into our hook bin, restrained them for transport and took them to a licensed receiving facility with their gas-free certificates and waste paperwork.

Excavator swinging a fuel tank clear of the excavation — Swinging a tank clear of the excavation.

DemoEx crew removing foam fill from a fuel tank before disposal — Removing the foam the tank had been filled with, so it could be disposed of.

Fuel tank out of the ground whole and intact — Out of the ground whole — no cutting needed.

The result

Both tanks out whole, the excavation backfilled and compacted by our crew, and the site handed back to The PSA Group. Everything went to plan, with zero incidents.

Got old fuel tanks or a chemical installation to remove? Call 0457 336 639 for a free quote.

Melissa Errey

Highly recommend DemoEx. John communicated the process clearly, did what he said he would do, provided a competitive quote and it made the demolition of my house plus asbestos removal super easy!

Harald Schlemmer

I recently obtained some quotes for structural alterations to my property. The quote by DemoEx was by far the most professional and came in 30% cheaper than their closest competitor. The work was carried out within 7 days of obtaining the quote in a most competent and efficient manner. I believe John and his team at DemoEx deserve more than the 5 stars available on this review and have no hesitation in recommending them to anyone requiring their services

Steve Fenning

Called John on Monday, he went and reviewed a house we were looking to purchase on the Tuesday called me immediately after inspecting the asbestos and later sent an email with photos, very efficient and professional service, much appreciated

Gownie Studio

Very friendly and efficient service. Highly recommended

Michael Hart

DemoEx is one of the rare ones who do the right thing, dump responsibly and recycle everything possible. After more than 10 years in the bussiness they have a proven track record in making sure the job is done right. John the bussiness owner understands the chain of responsibilities and adheres to the process and the laws governing demolition, excavation and asbestos removal. Recommended

Haley Ballinger

Our construction business (Ballinger Construction Group) only hires John & his team at DemoEx, they always exceed our expectations! They show up on time, knock out the work ahead of schedule and leave the sites incredibly clean. Highly recommend DemoEx for all you demo needs!

Cameron McPhail

John and the team have delivered fast and quality results for me twice now within a reasonable price. Would highly recommend

Jon Lockhart

DemoEx provided us with a fantastic experience during the demolition of existing house. From initial site visit, quotation, communication and standard of work, all were faultless. Would highly recommend DemoEx.

Belinda C

John and his crew were professional and didn’t muck about. Knew their stuff, were brilliant with the neighbours and did a great job for a competitive price. Highly recommend.