WATPAC CONSTRUCTION
WATPAC CONSTRUCTION
International experience meets local knowledge on the North Queensland Stadium project
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any people will go through their daily lives without taking the time to appreciate the facilities or buildings they work, live and enjoy. Yet without internationally leading construction companies leading the way, we would not enjoy the innovative advancements that we’ve experienced in recent years. From office blocks, hotels, research facilities and private hospitals, to airport expansions and award-winning state velodromes, Watpac operates across a diverse range of industries and prestigious projects. Where possible, it also uses local suppliers and employees, benefiting from both international experience and local knowledge. BUILDING BRILLIANCE Watpac is a leading construction company established in 1983. Having enjoyed significant growth and success over the last 35 years, it now employs more than 700 people across Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and throughout Australia. As of December 2018, Watpac became a wholly owned subsidiary of BESIX, the leading international construction company and as such delisted from the Australian Securities Exchange. Today, Watpac is fully integrated in BESIX Group activities, with access to international experience and enhance technical capabilities. PROMINENT PROJECTS Constructing some of Australia’s most iconic buildings, Watpac delivers large,
complex projects and has received industry accolades for its excellence. Its reputation for world-class innovation has earned the company a broad client base including local, state and federal governments, resource companies, airports, universities and education providers. It also works across commercial, residential property and sport sectors. Watpac delivered stages 1 and 2 contractor services for the construction of Queensland State Velodrome. The impressive velodrome hosted the cycling events for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games and was the second project delivered by Watpac for the notable event. More recently, Watpac was appointed to work on managing the construction of the renowned North Queensland Stadium. NORTH QUEENSLAND STADIUM CONSTRUCTION In May 2017, Watpac was awarded Managing Contractor for the iconic North Queensland stadium. Townsville’s new 25,000 seat will be a best practice, multipurpose regional stadium and is due to open in February 2020. The project will be delivered over two stages and is expected to involve approximately 2,000 people across the design and construction phases. Through delivering this highprofile project for the North Queensland community, Watpac will provide vital job and training opportunities for the Townsville region, including indigenous employment opportunities, local business participation and upskilling wherever possible. The
project will provide necessary infrastructure to deliver more activation and development opportunities for the Townsville City Waterfront Priority Development Area and the Townsville CBD. Watpac is working closely with the principal consultant, Cox Architecture and the new stadium will feature a horseshoeshaped, cantilever roof inspired by the pandanus plant. The roof, while providing an elegant expression of the building, will shade about 75 per cent of the seating. In place of traditional trusses, folded plates achieve the roof’s ‘pandanus’ geometry. These plates provide the strength to resist cyclonic wind loads and offer flexibility to allow the roof to expand and contract with
tropical temperature fluctuation. Orientated towards the north, the state-of-the-art stadium’s horseshoe-shaped design will capture prevailing breezes while allowing panoramic views to the city, Castle Hill and Magnetic Island. The North Queensland Stadium is a joint project of the Queensland Government, Australian Government, Townsville City Council and supported by the National Rugby League and the North Queensland Cowboys. The new stadium will also accommodate up to 40,000 people in concert mode. A range of facilities will enhance its sporting assets, enabling opportunities for patrons and venue hire. It is also expected to offer a ninemetre wide concourse where patrons can
walk the full 600-metre circumference of the stadium, sports lighting incorporated into the stand roofing, eliminating the need for light towers and standing terraces with views to field of play. Corporate and function facilities will further develop the stadiums offering, with more than 80 external corporate boxes and over 15 corporate suits. It is planned for the stadium to house three corporate experience bars, two major function rooms and approximately 29 permanent general admission food and beverage outlets. For players, athletes and entertainment, a range of dedicated changing rooms, medical facilities and flexible spaces are on hand too. It is clear this new offering will be in a league of its own in the area, and it is Watpac, alongside its partners, that is making it possible.
MAKING HISTORY With more than 30 years of construction experience, Watpac Construction has a proud history of working on projects that include some of Australia’s most iconic buildings across sports, health and science, defence, education, residential, commercial and retail sectors. Combining its ability to successfully deliver large, complex projects with its commitment to offering local people opportunities where possible, it is no surprise it has a world class reputation. The North Queensland Stadium is just another example of its talent and innovative spirit. It looks as though it will continue making history through delivering influential projects and long standing builds, that visitors across the world will benefit from.
BSF Design Solutions Beenleigh Steel Fabrications has maintained the reputation of industry leading innovation by offering comprehensive services extending past just fabrication and erection of steelwork, from crane hire to concrete scanning BSF offer a complete solution. So, it comes with no surprise the announcement of a new division devoted to Design and Construct steelwork projects. Managing the design, engineering, drafting, surveying, fabrication and installation of structures in-house reduces costly design changes frequently experienced on conventional projects. This approach results in a successful project completed in a timely manner as it eliminates communication breakdown between the consulting parties. BSFs can-do attitude with an open minded first principles approach has allowed the business to expand and grow to help service principal contractors on some of the largest and complex projects in the country. We are excited by the prospects this service will provide and look forward to sharing the experience with our clients.
Townsville Stadium Roof Fabricated & Erected by BSF Beenleigh Steel Fabrications utilised its new Design Solutions service to co-ordinate the flow of design and shop drawings, which enabled the construction to be accelerated and meet the fast approaching project deadlines. The workshop operated day and night fabricating each uniquely shaped truss and supporting steelwork, while 55 site employees worked hard at completing the final assembly and installation of over 2600t of steel. A fleet of machinery including 7 cranes ranging from 20t to 400t along with 20 EWP’s were used to assemble and install 36 trusses weighing as much as 50t each.
Estimating requests estimating@beenleighsteel.com.au General enquires admin@beenleighsteel.com.au BSF Phone number 07 3440 1500 Mobile Crane Hire admin@bsfmobilecranes.com.au Mobile Cranes Phone Number 07 5546 3579
Oliver Moy Publisher
For enquiries email okm@aubusinesscoverage.com