Museum of Tropical Queensland welcomes new roof panels on the iconic curved exterior

Bright orange has dotted the Townsville skyline as the finishing touches are put on an iconic inner-city building.

Abseilers have replaced the large panels on the Museum of Tropical Queensland's iconic curved exterior.

Bright orange has dotted the Townsville skyline as work continues on an iconic inner-city building.

Bringing a whole new meaning to roof repair, abseiling tradies have been replacing the large panels on the curved exterior of the Museum of Tropical Queensland along Ross Creek.

Eleven tradies have individually replaced each sheet, some up to 9m long.

The work is being overseen by QBuild, which is working with local company Matz Roofing to restore the iconic sail roof on the Flinders St venue.

Matz Roofing director Matthew Newman said the repairs were unique.

“We were very excited to be selected by QBuild to replace the museum’s distinctive sail roof,” he said. “I knew the curvature of the roof would present some interesting challenges and was able to employ a team of abseiling subbies to help us deal with it.”

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The $3.6 million repair contract will address internal and external damage from last year’s monsoon event.

Townsville MP Scott Stewart said the brave abseiling tradies were playing their part to restore the community.

“These highly skilled local tradies are taking on the job of fixing the unique sail roof, so that the museum is ready to enjoy once it is able to reopen again,” he said.

External roof works across the entire building commenced​ in November 2019 and will continue over the following months with the aim to be completed mid-year.

Originally published as Museum of Tropical Queensland welcomes new roof panels on the iconic curved exterior