BESIX Watpac drives jobs boost at Kardinia Park Stadium

The $142 million investment by the Victorian State Government includes a new northern stand which will boost capacity by 14,000 to a total of 40,000, reaffirming Kardinia Park Stadium’s position as the largest regional stadium in Australia.

The redevelopment also includes several other major improvements including a new northern entry plaza, change rooms, a regional cricket hub and replacement facilities for the Geelong Cricket Club, and new media facilities.

BESIX Watpac CEO Jean-Pol Bouharmont expressed the company’s pride in being awarded the project.

“We are proud of our record in delivering iconic stadiums in Australia and overseas and we share the passion of the millions of fans who have experienced these great venues. Stadiums are central to our engineering-led, multidisciplinary contracting strategy and we are excited to be back at Kardinia Park Stadium to deliver a special outcome for the Geelong community,” Jean-Pol said.

BESIX Watpac General Manager Victoria and South Australia, Simon Ballard pointed to the major role the company is already playing in the local economy through delivery of the City of Greater Geelong Civic Accommodation Building.

“We are delighted to be extending the same ‘spend local’ and ‘spend social’ economic initiatives to the Kardinia Park Stage 5 Redevelopment to achieve real targets in local, Indigenous and disadvantaged employment as well as commitments on local procurement. We are extremely proud of the contribution we are making to the Geelong community and the local economy,” Simon said.

A local content target of 91% has been set for the project under the State Government’s Local Jobs First policy. BESIX Watpac is aiming to have more than 50% of subcontractors engaged on the project from the local Geelong region.

The project is also targeting a minimum of 3% Indigenous employment with an aspirational goal of 6%.

A minimum of $1.2 million will be allocated to purchasing goods and services from social enterprises.

Work is expected to commence mid-September, at the conclusion of the 2021 AFL season, and completion is scheduled for late April 2023.