Game on for stadium managing contract

The race starts today for the managing contractor for the $250 million North Queensland Stadium.

Minister for State Development Dr Anthony Lynham said expressions of interest opened today for the managing contractor to deliver the stadium for the 2020 NRL season.

“We are determined that local businesses will get the opportunity to participate in the delivery of the project’s procurement, to provide local employment and upskilling,” Dr Lynham said.

“These EOIs will be assessed on local industry participation strategies as well as experience, capacity and capability.

“The managing contractor will be required to create local employment opportunities, ensure suitable local businesses are given the opportunity to tender on trade packages, identify opportunities for local industry innovation and achieve project training targets.”

Dr Lynham said EOI submissions would be evaluated on:

• capability and capacity
• relevant experience, including experience in the Townsville region
• local industry participation and training strategies, including strategies to maximise employment opportunities for the local Indigenous community
• results on similar projects.

The EOI closes on 18 January, 2017.

A shortlist will be selected by February to submit formal tenders, with the successful managing contractor to be appointed by mid-2017

The North Queensland Stadium is a joint project of the Queensland Government, Australian Government and Townsville City Council and is supported by the National Rugby League (NRL).

The 25,000 seat best-practice regional stadium will include state-of-the-art corporate facilities, permanent stands, permanent concessions and modern amenities.

The stadium will be one of the first outcomes from the Townsville City Deal signed off last week by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill.

Under the City Deal the Palaszczuk Government contributes $140 million, the Australian Government $100 million and the NRL, $10 million. Townsville City Council is contributing the stadium site.

Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland Coralee O’Rourke said the next milestone in the stadium project was an exciting step towards unlocking hundreds of jobs and flow on benefits to the region.

“I can’t encourage local businesses enough to register their interest for work packages on the stadium,” Mrs O’Rourke said.

“Get along to some of the forums we’re holding to help equip you with the tools you need to make the most of the opportunities coming our way,” she said.

Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper said now is the time for North Queensland businesses to step up, take the ball & run with it.

“I urge local businesses to become a part of our North Queensland team and help us deliver a world class stadium for North Queensland, built by North Queenslanders,” Mr Harper said.

Member for Townsville Scott Stewart said it was vital that local tradies, contractors and businesses have every chance to maximise jobs opportunities.

“Our local businesses working on the stadium project will help kickstart our Townsville economy,” Mr Stewart 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 10am, Monday of the 326 companies who have submitted expressions of interest for work packages with the managing contractor, 120 are from North Queensland.

[ENDS]

Date:                           14 December 2016

Media Contact:          Benjamin Mulcahy 0419 562 389