NQ Stadium kicks another goal

The $250 million North Queensland Stadium will hit another milestone next week with a development application going to Townsville City Council.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the lodgement of a development application for the city-changing project would be a key next step towards construction commencing.

“My Government has ensured this job generating project becomes a reality, by bringing the stadium through the planning stages to the point where we are at today,” she said.

“In the latest progress on this project, the Department of State Development will lodge a Development Application next week with the Townsville City Council for the 25,000-seat stadium.”

State Development Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said getting the project to this stage was a clear demonstration of the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to Townsville

“Managing contractor, Watpac is now captaining the team that will bring home this project for the North – right on time for the start of the 2020 NRL season.”

Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland and Member for Mundingburra Coralee O’Rourke said the Palaszczuk Government’s $140 million commitment to the stadium would result in jobs for people in Townsville.

“So far, we’ve seen more than 180 North Queensland companies register interest for work packages in the stadium, which is expected to generate around 750 jobs during design and construction,” Mrs O’Rourke said.

“And with the project reaching another major milestone, we are another step closer to seeing more local jobs on the ground.

“Managing contractor, Watpac, is now leading this project for the North with a strong focus on local contractors, on track for the start of the 2020 NRL season.”

As part of their winning tender submission Watpac outlined a plan for more than 80 per cent of hours spent building the stadium to be by locals, and at least 80 per cent of the value of the project to be spent on local subcontractors and suppliers.

Member for Townsville Scott Stewart said more than 2,000 people are expected to be engaged in delivery of the stadium, a significant jobs boost to the Townsville region.

“Of these jobs, Watpac has committed to targeting 6.6 per cent of the workforce to be Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” he said.

Watpac has been an employer and part of the Townsville community for nearly 20 years and also have outstanding stadium construction experience, including Suncorp Stadium here in Brisbane.

Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper said Watpac would draw upon their knowledge of the Townsville construction industry to maximise opportunities for local contractors.

“This really will be a stadium be built by the people of North Queensland for the people of North Queensland,” Mr Harper said.

“From next month, Watpac will participate in ongoing industry events to engage with local contractors and business, starting with the Government’s quarterly Townsville Industry Breakfast on June 6.

“I urge local businesses to take advantage of these events, and ensure they sign up to the stadium newsletter for all the latest updates.”

Dr Lynham said he was now looking forward to the next milestone for the North Queensland Stadium, when the project breaks ground later this year.

“The Palaszczuk Government is determined to see this stadium become a reality for Townsville and North Queensland, and I am sure we can look forward to further investment in this project in the upcoming state budget.”

For more information on the North Queensland Stadium, or to sign up for newsletter updates, visit: https://www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/major-projects/north-queensland-stadium.html

Media contacts:          Benjamin Mulcahy 0419 562 389 (Lynham)

                                    Neva Woolmer 0408 317 992 (O’Rourke)