Excitement builds as art installation construction kicks off
Date published: 22 February 2018
Townsville’s biggest ever art installation is about to be installed at Strand Park next week to install 30 shipping containers that will be the centrepiece of Festival 2018.
The containers will be stacked to form Uncontained, a towering art installation featuring street art by renowned international, national and local artists, which will become one of the live entertainment sites over the 12 day festival.
Strand Park will be closed to the public from Monday 26 February so Council crews can begin installing footings and foundations before the shipping containers are delivered in March.
Commonwealth Games Working Group Chair Councillor Kurt Rehbein said the works were the first in a busy schedule of works as the city prepares for the festival.
“Uncontained is going to be such an iconic part of Festival 2018 so to see it finally coming to life in Strand Park is really exciting,” Cr Rehbein said.
“This is the first location where residents are going to start seeing construction work as we get ready for the festival, but over the coming weeks people will start to see a whole lot more as we prepare the event sites including Strand Park, Jezzine Barracks and Queens Gardens.”
The 30 shipping containers are scheduled for delivery at Strand Park on March 2, when they will be fastened in place ready for artists to start working on their murals. Some welding and painting will be happening on-site as part of the works.
There will be some disruptions to traffic while the containers are being delivered to the park, and traffic management will be on site to direct motorists and pedestrians safely around the site.
Division 3 Councillor Ann-Maree Greaney said Council was working hard to lessen the impact of festival preparations on residents.
“We want to make sure that we are causing as little disruption as possible to people’s everyday lives as we get ready for The Commonwealth Games and Festival 2018,” Cr Greaney said.
“The event is only six weeks away so with more construction happening at event sites there will be changes in terms of residents accessing those areas so we can carry out the work safely.
“We will be communicating with residents in the affected areas and the general public to let them know about things like park access and road closures as work progresses.
Estimated timeline of Strand Park works
- 26 February - Strand Park closes for footing and foundation work
- 2 March – Shipping containers arrive at Strand Park
- 13 March – Artists begin painting
- 4 April – Festival begins
To see what events are happening at Strand Park as part of Festival 2018 visit our website - www.townsville.qld.gov.au/gc2018
