Should I leave this behind the cement board?

[theandroids]

Hi, removing the old plasterboard to replace with hardiebacker 12mm . I'm no pro so i'm asking is this wood meant to be behind the plaster, should I remove it before putting up the cement board and install into studs, or just install over this wood? judging by things around the house I'm not sure it was built by professionals so i'm a bit weary of things I find in here.
Any help appreciated.

 

[Qwerty]

You won't know for certain why ply is underneath until all the plasterboard is off. Most likely reason was to add rigidity to a flimsy wall construction or use as a solid fixing for shower screen etc
You will need to check it is straight and level, undamaged, well fixed and not affected by moisture.

 

[theandroids]

You won't know for certain why ply is underneath until all the plasterboard is off. Most likely reason was to add rigidity to a flimsy wall construction or use as a solid fixing for shower screen etc
You will need to check it is straight and level, undamaged, well fixed and not affected by moisture.

Thanks. I tell you its one thing after the other with this place. Hopefully it was just for shower support. Can I still install the hardiebacker to it, or only to studs, that's if there is any proper studs behind this thing lol

 

[Qwerty]

It really depends how it's all put together. Find out what fixings there are and what stud centres you have and go from there

 

[theandroids]

It really depends how it's all put together. Find out what fixings there are and what stud centres you have and go from there

Thanks will do.