North Queensland stadium gets development approval

The $250 million North Queensland stadium has hit another key milestone, securing a development approval from Townsville City Council.

The approval includes a 25,000-seat stadium and entertainment facility - including 22,000 general admission seats and 3000 corporate seats - and commercial spaces for a bar, food outlets and offices.

The development approval also includes upgrades to public spaces such as parks and sport and recreation areas.

Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said the development approval allowed work - and local jobs - to be ramped up.

“This is a key milestone for the project and it means major construction can start once early works are complete,” Cr Hill said.

“The stadium will revitalise the CBD and has already helped to attract the city’s first high-end hotel in decades, which will be built next door.

“Townsville is already seeing the economic benefits from the stadium and they will only increase as more jobs come online as construction ramps up.”

Early works on the stadium were carried out with an exemption under the Priority Development Area.

Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick welcomed this next stage in the development assessment of the construction of the Townsville Stadium.

“Economic Development Queensland has undertaken a significant job in providing advice on the relevant State interests, and liaised with the departments of Transport and Main Roads, Agriculture and Fisheries, and Environment and Heritage Protection, Defence and Townsville Airport to ensure all State interests were addressed,” he said.

“Our Government has been working closely with project partners Watpac and local industry to ensure the rumble of construction will be replaced by the roar of spectators in just two years’ time.

“You can already see the northern-facing horseshoe-shape of the stadium emerging where the concrete pylons have been driven to form part of the foundations.

“So far, this project has invested an estimated $27.9 million in local industry and engaged more than 238 companies in the extended supply chain.

“We have had 318 people inducted to site, 99 per cent living within North Queensland, and more local people are working on this iconic regional project as each new trade comes on.”

Federal Minister for Urban Infrastructure and Cities Paul Fletcher said the Turnbull Government’s $100 million contribution to the project was a key component of the City Deal signed by the Australian and Queensland Governments and the Townsville City Council in 2016 – Australia’s first City Deal.

“The stadium is a transformational project that will be the catalyst for revitalising the Townsville CBD, providing new opportunities for businesses and job creation,” Mr Fletcher said.

“Construction of the Townsville Stadium will employ more than 2,000 people. It’s a great example of how the Turnbull Government’s investment in infrastructure projects across Queensland and Australia is creating jobs and stimulating economic growth.”