Stadium work back on track

C O N S T R U C T I O N o f Townsville’s new North Queensland Stadium will soon be back up to full capacity after heavy rainfalls temporarily shut down the site.

The stadium structure was not directly impacted by floods, but endured significant rainfall during the monsoon trough weather event, which forced workers off the site for several days.

Activity has since resumed and is expected to be completely operational in the coming days.

Housing and Public Works Mick de Brenni said he had spoken with managing contractor Watpac and been reassured the project would be delivered on time.

“On my visit to Townsville last week I could see the stadium site was spared the worst of the flooding, however, it did get heavy rainfall, just like all of Townsville,” he said.

“So I can understand construction ceasing for the duration of the weather event, particularly so local workers could focus on protecting and now recovering their homes and businesses.”

Mr de Brenni said the safety of workers must remain a “key focus” of the stadium project.

“I’m told there are still a few assessments to be done in some work zones,” he said.

“The full impacts of the rainfall is still being assessed, however, most workers are now back on-site and construction activity is expected to be at full capacity in coming days.”

Mr de Brenni said he would be back in Townsville soon to check in on the stadium project and the broader accommodation issue for flood-affected residents.

Construction of the new stadium is expected to completed in time for 2020 NRL season.

Meanwhile child-friendly spaces have been set up at 1300SMILES Stadium and Townsville Brothers Football Club to help families impacted by flooding.

Save the Children Queensland state manager Jason Ware said the spaces would not only give children a place to play, but it would also assist parents dealing with the flood aftermath.

“These child-friendly spaces help children cope with the situation by giving them a supervised space where they can simply be children again,” Mr Ware said.

“It allows parents to do the necessary things like getting support, cleaning up, salvaging possessions and dealing with administrative matters such as insurance while knowing their children are being cared for.” be the