First stadium contracts on schedule for Xmas

The first three contracts for the $250 million North Queensland Stadium – including principal consultant – are on schedule to be awarded by Christmas.

Speaking in Townsville, Minister for State Development Dr Anthony Lynham said the next milestone was a call for tenders for two contracts for the quantity survey and audit programmer.

“Tenders will be called tomorrow (EDS: Friday) from the suppliers shortlisted last month – eight of them from North Queensland or with NQ offices,” he said.

“The shortlisted suppliers will submit tenders by Friday, 9 December and be awarded before Christmas.

“The North Queensland stadium project will create 750 jobs and I have made it clear that we are looking for local jobs, local businesses and local alliances.

“One of the assessment criteria for the tenders will be the involvement of local businesses.”

Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland and Member for Mundingburra Coralee O’Rourke welcomed the next big milestone in the stadium project, which means hundreds of jobs are one step closer.

 “This is exciting news for Townsville in the lead up to Christmas and will provide a much needed shot in the arm for local economic confidence,” Mrs O’Rourke said.

Member for Townsville Scott Stewart said: “It's vital that local tradies, contractors and businesses have every chance to maximise jobs opportunities. Our locals working on the stadium project will help kickstart our Townsville economy.”

Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper said it had been a “fantastic opportunity” to meet local company representatives at the Department of State Development industry briefing in Townsville on Tuesday at Reid Park overlooking the NQ Stadium site.

"Local businesses demonstrated their passion and commitment in being involved on this major infrastructure project and I know they are keen to increase local participation on the NQ Stadium.”

The eight local shortlisted companies are:

• AECOM Cost Consulting (Brisbane and Townsville offices)
• Donald Cant Watts Corke Qld  (Brisbane and Townsville offices)
• Gleeds in collaboration with local Townsville firm D. Neilsen & Associates  (Brisbane)
• Rider Levett Bucknell Qld (RLB)  (Brisbane and Townsville offices)
• WT Partnership  (Brisbane and Townsville offices).
• Ranbury Management Group  (Mackay and Brisbane offices)
• Resource Co-ordination Partnership (Brisbane and Townsville offices)
• Tracey Brunstrom & Hammond  (Brisbane and Townsville offices)

Two Brisbane-based companies are also in the running Aquenta Consultingand Rowles Time Management.

Tenders for the principal consultant contract close on 30 November, with a consultant to be appointed before Christmas.

 “Everything is on time and on schedule to deliver a world-class stadium for the start of the 2020 NRL season,” Dr Lynham said.

Local businesses can continue to register their capabilities and interest for the North Queensland Stadium work packages at northqueenslandstadium.icn.org.au/.

As of yesterday (EDS: Wednesday), of the 288 companies who have submitted expressions of interest for work packages with the managing contractor, 97 are from North Queensland.

[ENDS]

Media inquiries:        Jan Martin     0439 341 314