EIGHT hundred pylons have been driven into the ground as work on the new $250 million Townsville stadium ramp up.

On a typical day during early works, up to 35 workers may be on site near the banks of Ross Creek.

“This number will increase when the main stadium build commences,” a spokesman for the Department of Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning said, which is the authority on the project.

The bulk of construction is focused on the installation of pile cap foundations, placement of reinforced steel, formwork and concrete pouring activities.

“Construction of the North Queensland Stadium is in the early works phase,” the Government spokesman said. “Current activities are focused on preparing the site for the commencement of the main stadium build early this year.

“These early works activities have included site survey, environmental control establishment and maintenance, demolition of existing structures, civil earthworks, piling and foundations and workforce site amenities establishment.”

The North Queensland Stadium is due to be completed before the start of the 2020 NRL season and the Stage 1 civil works are 80 per cent complete.

It’s a hive of activity on site with teams of workers finishing the building platforms for the eastern promenade, and northern and southern plaza areas. Two piling rigs together are driving up to 30 pylons a day to a maximum depth of 22m.

Four double B trailers, carrying about 35 tonnes at a time, have been delivering the 90,000cu m of fill required to establish the building platforms. Two 30-tonne excavators and a 20-tonne excavator are involved with Stage 1 pile de-heading and substructure foundation excavations and two 14cu m rigid trucks are working on substructure works. The North Queensland Stadium project is expected to support up to 750 jobs during design and construction.

Watpac is the managing contractor and has had a Townsville office for 20 years.

The business is implementing a plan that targets 80 per cent of hours spent building the stadium to be by locals and at least 80 per cent of project value to be spent on local subcontractors and suppliers.