Jobs to flow as NQ Stadium trade packages released today

 JOINT STATEMENT        

ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR CITIES AND DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

THE HON. ANGUS TAYLOR MP

 QUEENSLAND MINISTER FOR STATE DEVELOPMENT

DR ANTHONY LYNHAM MP

TOWNSVILLE CITY COUNCIL, MAYOR JENNY HILL

Local jobs will flow from the first trade packages being released today for the $250 million North Queensland Stadium.

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.

Managing contractor Watpac is releasing the first 27 trade packages for demolition, temporary fencing and other early stage works from 10am on the ICN gateway.

Federal Assistant Cities Minister Angus Taylor said the stadium build was the first big deliverable under the City Deal.

“The stadium build is expected to employ more than 2000 people from the region. It will be a huge boost for local employment and is the first of many City Deal commitments,” Assistant Minister Taylor said.

State Development Minister Anthony Lynham urged local businesses – including those who had already registered online – to review and renew their expressions of interest.

“Watpac’s new trade packages are more comprehensive than the indicative trade packages advertised already,” Dr Lynham said.

“Contractors who previously registered on the ICN Gateway will need to review their registration and re-submit EOIs for the trade packages they’re interested in.”

Another 53 trade packages will be released in coming weeks, taking the total number of work packages available to 80. 

These will cover hydraulics, construction of temporary on-site amenities, roadworks and paving, mobile crane hire companies with licenced operators, labour hire and cleaning services and licenced traffic control managers.

Dr Lynham urged local subcontractors and tradespeople to be part of the city-changing project.

“This is a brand new day for Townsville tradies and subbies and they need to be online and updating their expressions of interesthe said.

North Queensland businesses can sign up for free information sessions on how to lodge EOIs on the online gateway.

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

Watpac has 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. 

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/