Day has arrived for stadium

AFTER more than five years of campaigning, Townsville will today welcome the start of construction on the city’s new $ 250 million stadium.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, local MPs, federal Assistant Minister for Cities Angus Taylor, Mayor Jenny Hill and fellow dignitaries will turn the first sod at the stadium site this morning.

Local businesses have already been engaged to undertake works, including Budd Photography which is creating a timelapse recording throughout the project’s 2 ½ - year construction period.

Ms Palaszczuk said the stadium represented an enormous opportunity for jobs.

“The Townsville stadium will provide a new home for the Cowboys and draw visitors and businesses to a new sport- ing, cultural and entertainment precinct on the southern edge of the CBD,” she said.

“I look forward to the day when I can gaze down from Castle Hill on that transformation and all the vibrancy it will bring to Townsville.”

Stadiums Queensland board member Rabieh Krayem said, as someone who was involved in the building of 1300SMILES Stadium 24 years ago, today was a momentous occasion. “We know the impact that stadium had,” he said.

“It’s a great moment and a long time coming.”

Assistant Minister for Cities Angus Taylor said momentum was building around job opportunities at the stadium.

“Already we have five trade packages that have been awarded to local companies and many more will come,” he said. “In Townsville ( today) I’m exploring with business and community leaders how we can get more local projects off the ground.

“Fundamentally, the City Deal is a commitment to deliver more investment in local infrastructure, more contracts for local businesses and more jobs for local people.”

Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland Coralee O’Rourke said North Queenslanders were passionate people. “This is what I love about Townsville, the passion people have for their sport and community,” she said.

“I’m really excited to see work on this amazing piece of infrastructure commence as it means growth for our economy with local companies and small businesses supported throughout the process. “I truly believe our community deserves to have the finest events and precincts at their doorstep.” Angus Taylor comment: p32