BESIX Watpac wins lead contractor appointment to build $653m Christchurch stadium

Brisbane-based construction company BESIX Watpac been appointed the lead contractor for the construction of the $653m stadium in New Zealand which among other features has been designed to withstand earthquakes.

There’s been plenty of high-fives at BESIX Watpac’s new headquarters at Jubilee Place in Fortitude Valley.

The ASX-listed builder, which over many years has carved a name for itself as a stadium specialist, has won the job as lead contractor on the Kotiu team to build the $653m, 30,000-seat Te Kaha/Canterbury Multi-Use Arena in Christchurch, New Zealand.

The stadium, which will be able to withstand earthquakes not only on completion but also during construction, when built will host international acts and importantly All Blacks and the Crusaders games.

It is BESIX Watpac’s first New Zealand project and its largest project currently under construction,

Chief executive Mark Baker, who took the reins late last year after joining the company in 2010, says winning the contract was a landmark moment for the Queensland-born multidisciplinary construction company.

BESIX Watpac chief executive Mark Baker.

And BESIX Watpac’s experience must have helped having worked in some capacity on nearly every major stadium and venue in Queensland since it started out as a local firm Brisbane Watkins Pacific in 1983.

Baker says the BESIX Group international reputation for building some of the world’s most iconic stadiums was also a factor.

“To win this project is a major milestone and validation of our position as stadiums experts,” he says.

Some of the stadiums the company has been involved with includes the $318m Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville, Stage 1 and 2 at Geelong’s GMHBA Stadium (Kardinia Park) and the heavy lifting at the Gabba and Suncorp Stadium over the years.

Key features of the Christchurch stadium include a rectangular permanent stitched hybrid in-situ turf field of play and a fully covered roof including a clear span over the entire area of the field of play and bowl.

An artist’s impression of the $653m, 30,000 seat Te Kaha /Canterbury Multi-Use Arena in Christchurch.

HOLA

MEXICAN fast food chain Guzman y Gomez is on a recruitment driving seeking 400 new employees as it rolls out new stores in Queensland.

Founder and chief executive Steven Marks says Queensland remains and important market for the company.

“Our first restaurant was Fortitude Valley which opened in 2010 and since then we have opened 52 and we still see so much … opportunity,” he said.

“This year we’ve opened three restaurants in Rochedale, Virginia, last week we welcomed back guests to our Post Office location which was closed during Covid.

“Over the next six months we are set to open three new GYG restaurants including Morayfield in August and Jindalee and Southport in the weeks to follow.”

Guzman y Gomez founder Steven Marks.

BOARD APPOINTMENT

NOT-for-profit social and community housing provider, BHC, has appointed corporate governance expert Katie Williams to its Board.

A former KPMG partner, Williams has a 25-year career providing governance, risk, and professional advisory services across the public sector.

She is an experienced independent audit committee member; a member of the RACGP National Research and Evaluation Ethics Committee and was recently been appointed to the University of Queensland’s Business Information Systems academic team.

Williams says it’s “very humbling” to be part of an organisation and Board that is making such a difference and she replaces Stuart Gregory, who served on the BHC Board for 16 years.

“Doing our part to increase affordable housing supply, which is a significant issue, and partnering with other community-based organisations provides a platform for residents to thrive,” she says.”

Her appointment to BHC elevates the gender diversity of the Board to more than 55 per cent female and chair Eloise Atkinson says diversity was essential in reflecting the community.

“The landscape has changed very quickly in the past decade and the diversity, experience, and sage guidance of our Board has been invaluable. It’s collaborative and collegiate, and we share a vision to transform the social and affordable housing sector,” she says.

BHC chair Eloise Atkinson, BHC chief executive Rebecca Oelkers and new board member Katie Williams.