Demolition began yesterday with a mobile crane hoisting two skips from the road into the building.

Solex project manager Wayne Hurst was appointed two weeks ago and has worked closely with stakeholders, Ballarat City Council and Worksafe to get the operation under way.

Mr Hurst estimated the entire demolition would take between three and four weeks.

Grenville Street North will be closed to all traffic from Sunday morning.

The south-bound lane is expected to reopen by Friday.

"We will start to demolish the top area of the building on Monday and will gradually work brick-by-brick to bring it down to a first level.

"Then we can clean up inside," he said.

Mr Hurst acknowledged the demolition of the building had incurred significant delays, but said the operation was on track.

"The owners have been concerned about the delays that have occurred with this project," he said.

"I came on board two weeks ago to get the demolition back on track and now it is."

Months of delays have been attributed to the removal of asbestos materials throughout the building.

"The main challenge is public safety.

"We will have air monitoring equipment in place so this will monitor the air to detect asbestos particles," Mr Hurst said.

"We will be encasing some of the areas inside in plastic sheet walls, while the experts get in and remove the asbestos.

"Once that is removed, then it becomes a normal demolition."

david.jeans@fairfaxmedia.com.au