Two- decade Townsville presence ensures local content

CONSTRUCTION giant Watpac Ltd has won the $ 250 million tender to be the managing contractor of Townsville’s new CBD stadium.

In an announcement to be made in the city on Monday, the construction and mining company will take charge of building the North Queensland Cowboys’ new home.

The state- of- the- art facility is expected to generate up to 750 jobs during design and construction.

CPB Contractors, Lendlease and Watpac were all invited in February to tender for the role.

Watpac has had a Townsville office for almost two decades and has previously redeveloped Riverway and the Flinders St Mall. The firm also was named contractor for the $ 31 million Tropical Health Research Facility at James Cook University.

Early works on the stadium pro- ject will begin later this year, with completion of the stadium complex due in time for the 2020 NRL season.

Chamber of Commerce president Troy Popham said the stadium was the only project of its size scheduled to begin in this calendar year.

“We’ve driven very hard as the chamber to make sure there are substantial local contractors,” he said.

“The winning managing contrac- tor will be held to account in relation to the local content component because we really need to use the capacity that the city has.”

Mr Popham said the chamber appreciated, as with all major projects, that there would be components of the construction that could not be undertaken locally.

“But we want to see local content maximised,” he said.

“Regardless of the scale of local content, there will be southern expertise engaged in the project and obviously that will bring income into the region while they’re here doing the work. This will create opportunities for local business.

“The more money that enters the economy, the better chance we have of retaining it.

“If you use local labour and pay into local accounts, then the money will stay local – that’s why it’s important to try and retain that.”

Townsville builder and Master Builders board member Adrian Gabrielli said he wished Watpac the best of luck for the project.

“There is talk about people ( Townsville) keen to get on board but it’s a matter of how,” he said.

Mr Gabrielli said the new stadium was a great project for Townsville.

“We’ll get a good stadium with Watpac, I know that much,” he said.

“We hope they want to engage with the community.”

Townsville Enterprise chief executive officer Patricia O’Callaghan said the tourism body had been advocating for local work.

“It’s not just about building a stadium,” she said.

“It’s going to leave a legacy.” Editorial, page 26