Call to arms for NQ stadium trade packages

Joint Statement       

Assistant Minister for Cities and Digital Transformation

The Hon. Angus Taylor MP

 Queensland Minister for State Development

Dr Anthony Lynham MP

North Queensland businesses are being urged to register now for the first on-the-ground work on the $250 million North Queensland Stadium.

State Development Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said subcontractors and suppliers needed to register again  to be in the running for the 27 early works packages released by managing contractor Watpac last Friday.

“Everyone who has registered expressions of interest has to review and renew their EOIs,” Dr Lynham will tell a business and industry breakfast in Townsville today.

“Every effort is being made to email and call the early birds to check the new, detailed packages Watpac has released.

"Even if you have lodged EOIs for the early indicative work packages, it's important to get back online on the ICN Gateway again.'

Federal Assistant Minister for Cities Angus Taylor said as Australia's first City Deal, the Townsville City Deal was an important template for local job creation. 

"I again congratulate the North Queensland Stadium contractors for setting inspiring local job targets," he said. 

"All parties to the City Deal have heard loud and clear from Townsville that getting people into work locally is a top priority. " 

 Early works will deliver jobs in demolition, temporary fencing, temporary hydraulics, construction of temporary on-site amenities, civil works, mobile crane hire, cleaning services and licenced traffic control managers.

 “This is the first of many employment milestones for the stadium project as we head toward Watpac’s estimate of employing more than 2000 people during design and construction,' Dr Lynham said. 

 “Now is the time for local suppliers and subcontractors with relevant experience, capacity and capability to submit expressions of interest for the packages they are interested in.

Townsville-based firms already working on the stadium project include:

• structural, civil, traffic and acoustic engineers Arup
• wind engineers at James Cook University
• Douglas Partners, for geotechnical services 
• Parker Hydraulic Consulting Group
• RPS, for surveying and landscaping services
• quantity surveyor AECOM 
• project programmer RCP.

The North Queensland Stadium is a joint project of the Australian Government, Queensland Government and Townsville City Council and is supported by both the National Rugby League and the North Queensland Cowboys. The North Queensland Stadium forms part of the Townsville City Deal signed in 2016.

Dr Lynham said further trade packages would be released over the coming months with the total number of trade packages expected to reach approximately 80.

Information sessions will be held on June 13 and 14 to help contractors through the process of registering for work on the stadium and other local opportunities.

For more information on the free ICN Gateway sessions, contact the Department of State Development on 4758 3405.

To view the trade packages and register EOIs visit northqueenslandstadium.icn.org.au/

[ENDS]                      

Media inquiries:​

Minister Taylor – Sarah Bucknell 0448 111 669

Dr Lynham - Jan Martin 0439 341 314