Businesses flock to work on NQ stadium

Published Tuesday, 30 August, 2016 at 04:26 PM

JOINT STATEMENT

Minister for State Development and Minister for Natural Resources and Mines
The Honourable Dr Anthony Lynham

Minister for Disability Services, Minister for Seniors and Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland
The Honourable Coralee O'Rourke

Dozens of businesses have already put their hands up to be part of the $250 million North Queensland Stadium project now that the first tender has opened.

 

Minister for State Development Dr Anthony Lynham told Parliament today that more than 200 businesses had sought information online about working on the project and the design tender.

 

“As of 9am today, 212 suppliers and companies have sought out information online about working on the North Queensland Stadium project,” Dr Lynham said.

 

“Of those, 54 companies have lodged 97 expressions of interest on the work packages for the stadium and 158 suppliers have the downloaded the expression of interest documentation.”

 

Dr Lynham announced the first tender in Townsville at the weekend, as well as opportunity for local contractors to register online their interest in future work.

 

Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland Coralee O’Rourke said opening of EOI submissions for the project was great for local businesses in Townsville and the surrounding regions.

 

“This is a project that is all about local opportunities here in North Queensland,” Mrs O’Rourke said.

 

“The stadium project will create 750 construction jobs and tender assessments will emphasise opportunity for local businesses and local alliances.

 

“This project is so important for our region and that’s why it is included as one of my priority areas for Advancing North Queensland.”

 

Member for Townsville Scott Stewart, who asked the Minister a question on the project during Question Time today, said he was encouraged to see the response from businesses.

 

“We want to keep jobs local, and help bring the confidence that was lost under the LNP back to the city and the region,” Mr Stewart said.

 

Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper said this project was the jump start the North Queensland economy needs.

 

“The North Queensland Stadium project will deliver a world-class facility for the city, and be a welcome new home for the North Queensland Cowboys.” he said.

 

“The stadium will be completed in time for the 2020 rugby league season, and will provide opportunity for local jobs for years to come.”

 

From the initial EOIs the government will select a shortlist of consortia to submit a concept design for the new stadium as part of a design tender.

 

Dr Lynham encouraged locals to attend the Department of State Development’s next quarterly industry breakfast on September 6 where departmental executives will outline tendering timelines and type of work that will be on offer.

 

Registrations for the next Townsville quarterly industry breakfast are now open at http://townsvilletickets.com.au/event/townsville-industry-breakfast-6-september-2016-3279

 

The EOI is open at hpw.qld.gov.au/qtenders/ until 19 September. Following an assessment of the EOIs, tenders will be invited from shortlisted consortia, with the consultancy design consortia and concept design confirmed by the end of the year.

 

The project is on schedule for construction early works to start on site in mid- 2017 and the project will be completed in time for the 2020 NRL season.

 

ENDS                         30 August, 2016

Media inquiries:        Benjamin Mulcahy 0419 562 389