Christmas comes early for Townsville steel fabricators

Joint statement

By

Assistant Minister for Cities and Digital Transformation, The Hon. Angus Taylor MP

Queensland Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning, Cameron Dick MP

Townsville City Council Mayor Jenny Hill

Local Townsville company Thomas Steel Fabrication has been awarded the structural steel package for the western stand of the North Queensland Stadium, the first of several steel packages that will be awarded in coming months.

Federal Assistant Cities Minister Angus Taylor said it was great news to see more local employment opportunities from the stadium build.

“This is a Christmas bonus for employees of Thomas Steel Fabrication and their families,” he said.

“Australia’s first City Deal is delivering thousands of new jobs for Townsville, with the stadium the first of many City Deal commitments to drive development and private sector investment in the region.”

Minister for State Development Cameron Dick said the announcement comes after Managing Contractor, Watpac, consulted extensively with North Queensland fabricators to determine how the steel work could best be packaged to maximise opportunities for local contractors.

“This announcement again demonstrates our government’s commitment to supporting local industry and jobs growth,” Mr Dick said.

“My department and Watpac are working closely with local industry to target at least 80 per cent of the value of the project be spent on local sub-contractors and suppliers, and at least 80 per cent of the hours spent building the Stadium to be undertaken by locals.

“Since early site works started in July 2017, 230 people have been inducted, of which 99 per cent have been North Queensland locals.”

“Our government is proud to have delivered $140 million towards this stadium, which is destined to become a true Townsville icon built by locals for locals.”

It is estimated more than 158 North Queensland businesses have now been engaged directly and as part of the extended supply chain for the North Queensland Stadium project.

Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said she was thrilled another local business had been recruited to help bring the North Queensland Stadium project to life.

“Awarding this important contract to a local company is fantastic and I have no doubt it will be warmly welcomed by the Townsville community,” she said.

“We know we have the expertise and experience right here in Townsville to do this work – and to do it well.

“It’s great that the skill and talents of Townsville businesses have been rewarded on the North Queensland Stadium project.”

John Lane, Managing Director of Thomas Steel Fabricators said winning this contract means guaranteed continuity of work for his company that will have 45-50 workshop and site-based employees work on the project over the next 9–10 months.

“We have been operating in North Queensland for over 60 years and we are thrilled to bring our experience and expertise to a project of this calibre right here in Townsville,” he said.

Member for Mundingburra and Communities Minister Coralee O’Rourke said value for money in government procurement means more than the cheapest price.

“Our government believes the value of a dollar spent can be greatly increased if it is spent where it’s earned – right here in Queensland,” she said.

“By working hard to supply materials for this project locally, we’re making sure our community benefits from the project from the minute the first sod is turned.”

Member for Townsville Scott Stewart said that the Palaszczuk Government invests up to $14 billion per annum on goods and services.

“Sourcing building materials locally ensures that investment continues to be reinvested in locally supporting local jobs and supporting communities like Townsville,” he said.

“I’m delighted this major contract has been awarded locally – it’s a ringing endorsement of the government’s Buy Queensland policy.”

Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper MP added that local involvement had an additional benefit.

“Now in addition to the subbies working on site, another 45-50 Townsville steel workers can say, with pride, that they helped build the stadium that will be a catalyst for their local community,” he said.

“Young Townsville residents will be able tell their friends for decades to come that their parent helped worked on that stadium, and you can’t put a dollar value on local pride.”

Other large projects by Thomas Steel Fabricators include:

• LAND 121 – Stage 2 Unit Sustainment Facilities, Lavarack Barracks Townsville
• Replacement Chinook Facility – RAAF Base Townsville
• Townsville Hospital Redevelopment
• Lavarack Barracks Stage 4 Redevelopment.

It is anticipated further structural steel packages will be awarded from early 2018.

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

Media contact:       

Minister Taylor – Sarah Bucknell 0448 111 669

Minister Dick – Anika Hume 0447 320 039

Mayor Hill – Anthony Templeton 0402 713 499