Here’s to a happier new year

IT HAS been a tough year for most but there is plenty for Townsville residents to be celebrating this Christmas.

A couple of key indicators of better days ahead appear in today’s edition, with the awarding of a major steel contract for the construction of Townsville’s new CBD stadium and the news that the first cruise scheduled to take passengers aboard in Townsville next year is fully booked.

Thomas Steel Fabrication was yesterday awarded the structural steel package for the future stadium’s western stand. Metalrig will erect the steel.

The fact the $ 250 million stadium has three major stands means there is likely to be more good news coming for local businesses in the coming weeks.

This segmentation of the work came after advice from managing contractor Watpac that where possible, major works on the stadium should be split up so that local businesses could have a better chance at competing for the tenders.

The contract means Thomas Steel has a full work schedule for all of 2018 and will also look to add 30 new employees to help get through the work.

It is pleasing to see Watpac’s commitment of 80 per cent local content in the project being adhered to, and to hear the stadium is on schedule to open ahead of the 2020 NRL season.

News that the is fully booked for its maiden voyage from Townsville to Sydney is welcome as well.

The 400 tickets only went on sale in September, which should send a strong signal to cruise operators that Townsville is a market worth exploring further.

Townsville Enterprise’s ultimate goal is to have a cruise liner name our city as a home port for a vessel, cementing it as a cruise destination.

Much work has been put in by Townsville Enterprise and Port of Townsville to develop our offerings and 19 vessels will visit in 2018 as a result.

The focus on tourism opportunities underpinned by the return and growth of major industrial contracts should make for a happy new year for Townsville.