Cattery stand opening may be pushed into 2024 because of imported steel issues, union says
Cats fans wanting a seat in the new GMHBA Stadium stand may have to wait until 2024 as steel defects derail the planned opening. The fix is expected take thousands of hours.
Geelong
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The 14,000-seat stand as part of GMHBA Stadium’s redevelopment is “unlikely” to be finished for the 2023 AFL season due to issues with imported steel.
Welding on tonnes of imported steel, chosen by the project’s builder, needs to be refabricated to meet Australian standards after defects were found.
The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) said the opening of the stand could be pushed into 2024 because work to rectify welding is likely to take thousands of hours and potentially cost millions.
The project’s builder, Besix Watpac, will pay for the refabrication on about 15 steel columns meant for the stand’s roof.
Besix Watpac Victorian general manager Simon Ballard said the company anticipated the stand would be completed “before the end of 2023”.
Last month the state government, which has funded the $142m project, said issues with the steel wouldn’t impact the stand’s planned mid-year opening.
This week it said the steel issues meant the stand was “unlikely to be completed until after the 2023 AFL season.”
After June 22, the Geelong Football Club is due to play six of its last nine games at GMHBA Stadium.
The club has told members it would not sell seats in the new stand before it knew which games it would be opened for.
Besix Watpac is using 1200 tonnes of steel imported from Qatar, and 560 tonnes of Australian steel, for the two-tier stand that will lift the capacity of the stadium to more than 40,000 people.
Mr Ballard said the construction industry had been hit by “unforeseen supply-chain constraints” and those issues had not abated.
“At the time of project award, the global and local construction industry was experiencing unforeseen supply-chain constraints, pricing uncertainty and extensive delays in the availability of structural steel,” Mr Ballard said.
“During the mid-2021 to 2022 period, overall structural steel prices increased by over 60 per cent as result of flow-on effects of Covid-19.
“We acknowledge the impact project delays will have on users of the stadium and the Geelong community, however, relentless supply-chain issues have continued to impact our sector without any significant relief.
“Specialist international consultants have also been engaged to implement rigorous engineering and testing processes.
“Every decision we’ve made, and will continue to make, is to ensure the delivery of a safe, quality, long-term asset for the Geelong community.
Asked if the stand would be completed this year AMWU Victorian organiser, Tony Hynds. said: “I don’t think it can be.”
He said the AMWU estimated about 16,000 hours of work was needed to bring the steel up to standard, which could take up to eight months to complete.
“There’s no chance they are going to make their (planned) opening date,” Mr Hynds said.
“The roof steel needs to be reworked. Watpac are talking to local companies.
“They’ve got to take the paint off (the columns) … sand blast, grind the welds out, re-weld, paint them again, test and get it back to site.
“Our welding inspector estimates … the cost will be anywhere from $1000 to $1500 an hour overall to fix this.”
A state government spokesman said the steel issues would not be rectified using taxpayer money.
“It’s disappointing that the latest stage of the Kardinia Park upgrade is unlikely to be completed until after the 2023 AFL season due to issues with imported steel selected by the builder,” the spokesman said.
“We will continue to monitor and work closely with Kardinia Park Stadium Trust, workers and the builder – Besix Watpac – for the remainder of the project.
“We plan to strengthen our Local Jobs First (policy) by providing new powers to the Local Jobs First Commissioner.”
The spokesman didn’t say what those powers would be.
Mr Hynds said liability for the refabricated steel when it was installed at GMHBA Stadium would be a contentious issue between Besix Watpac and the fabricators it was asking to complete the work.
The Geelong Advertiser understands Besix Watpac has approached fabrication companies in Geelong, Portland and South Australia.
Mr Hynds estimated it had cost at least $100,000 for Bureau Veritas to complete non-destructive testing on the steel columns before it was decided the material had to be refabricated.
In June last year, the Geelong Advertiser reported imported steel was going to be used for the project after the price of locally fabricated steel rose significantly.
In February this year, defects were found in welding on eight imported steel bases.
The redevelopment of GMHBA Stadium Park will establish a northern entry plaza, sports museum, a regional cricket hub and function room.
Thirteen Victorian subcontractors appointed to redevelopment are supplying products such as seating, concrete, masonry and roofing.
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