https://www.townsvillebulletin.com....s/news-story/371acb6bf9796806d62f274fa3376755
North Queensland Stadium on track as construction of seating begins
THE FIRST seating platforms in the North Queensland Stadium are taking shape as locals are promised every spot will have the best views in the house.
About 2000 prefabricated seating platforms will be manufactured for the stadium by local company Jackson Semler, and then fitted to large steel-rakers that form the skeleton of the venue.
There will be 25,000 seats fixed to the seating platforms ready for the 2020 NRL season.
Townsville City Council Mayor Jenny Hill said she was thrilled to see the progress being made.
“There won’t be a bad seat in the stadium,” she said.
“Importantly, the stadium has the capacity to be expanded by another 5000 seats if the demand for extra capacity is there.”
Townsville MP Scott Stewart said to date about 98.5 per cent of the 188,748 construction hours on the stadium had been completed by locals, which was above the 80 per cent target.
“With 38 out of the 46 trade packages awarded to date engaging local businesses, our commitment to have North Queenslanders build the stadium is being realised.”
Mr Stewart said he expected the high level of local industry participation to continue as the stadium moved toward peak construction, when up to 400 workers would be on site daily.
State Minister for Sport Mick de Brenni said the locally fabricated pre-case concrete seating platforms would transform the site.
“This venue is about to start looking distinctly like a world-class stadium under construction,” he said.
“It really is pleasing to see the project progressing on schedule with predominantly local workforce driving the activity.”
Federal Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population Alan Tudge said the stadium would be enjoyed for generations to come.
“This milestone is a significant step closer as Townsville fans gear up ready to cheer on the Cowboys in the new North Queensland Stadium for the 2020 NRL season,” he said.
