Queensland Government opens EOI process for managing contractor for the new Townsville Stadium

The Queensland Government has today opened its Expressions of Interest (EOIs) process to find the managing contractor to deliver the new North Queensland Stadium in Townsville.

Introducing the process, Queensland Minister for State Development Dr Anthony Lynham stated “ww are determined that local businesses will get the opportunity to participate in the delivery of the project’s procurement, to provide local employment and upskilling.”

Dr Lynham stressed that submissions for the managing contractor for the $250 million stadium will be assessed on local industry participation strategies as well as experience, capacity and capability.

He added “the managing contractor will be required to create local employment opportunities, ensure suitable local businesses are given the opportunity to tender on trade packages, identify opportunities for local industry innovation and achieve project training targets.”

The EOI closes on 18th January 2017.

A shortlist will be selected by February to submit formal tenders, with the successful managing contractor to be appointed by mid-2017.

The North Queensland Stadium is a joint project of the Federal and Queensland Governments, Townsville City Council and is supported by the National Rugby League (NRL).

One of the first outcomes from the Townsville City Deal signed off last week by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill, the

25,000-seat stadium aims to include state-of-the-art corporate facilities, permanent stands, permanent concessions and modern amenities.  

Under the City Deal, the Queensland Government will contribute $140 million, the Federal Government $100 million and the NRL together with the North Queensland Cowboys $10 million. Townsville City Council is contributing the stadium site.

With Townsville a key marginal constituency at both the Federal and State level, both of Australia’s major political parties have backed the Townsville Stadium despite concerns over its longterm viability.

Currently, the North Queensland Cowboys play 13 NRL fixtures In Townsville each year while transport and hire costs have generally been a deterent to major concert tours travelling north of Brisbane.

Nonetheless, the prospects for the new venue are continually talked up, along with promises of its job creation prospects for Far North Queensland.

In this vein, Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland, Coralee O’Rourke, said the next milestone in the stadium project was an exciting step towards unlocking hundreds of jobs and flow on benefits to the region, stating “can’t encourage local businesses enough to register their interest for work packages on the stadium.

“Get along to some of the forums we’re holding to help equip you with the tools you need to make the most of the opportunities coming our way.”

Similarly, local MP Aaron Harper commented “I urge local businesses to become a part of our North Queensland team and help us deliver a world class stadium for North Queensland, built by North Queenslanders.”

As of 10am on Monday, of the 326 companies who have submitted EOIs for work packages with the managing contractor, 120 are from North Queensland.

Businesses can continue to register their capabilities and interest for the North Queensland Stadium work packages online at www.northqueenslandstadium.icn.org.au

Other information on the project can be viewed at www.morethanastadium.com.au

Images show preliminary designs for the North Queensland Stadium.

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