Locally fabricated pre-cast concrete seating platforms are being installed in what is described as a milestone for North Queensland Stadium construction in Townsville.

Queensland Sport Minister Mick de Brenni said the seating platforms that were being installed on the western grandstand would totally transform the site.

“This venue is about to start looking distinctly like a world-class stadium under construction,” Mr de Brenni said.

In total, about 2000 pre-fabricated seating platforms will be manufactured for the stadium by local company Jackson Semler.

The platforms, measuring up to 13.2m and weighing between 8 and 8.4 tonnes each, are being fitted to large steel-rakers that form the skeleton of the seating bowl.

Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said she was thrilled to see the major progress being made on the North Queensland Stadium.

“There will be 25,000 seats fixed to the seating platforms; seats that till be filled with fans for the 2020 NRL season and major entertainment acts the perform in Townsville,” she said.

“There won’t be a bad seat in the new stadium. Importantly, the stadium has the capacity to be expanded by another 5000 seats if the demand for extra capacity is there.”

A predominantly local workforce has brought the project this far, with about 98.5 per cent of the 188,748 construction hours completed by locals, and 38 out of the 46 awarded trade packages engaging local businesses.

The North Queensland Stadium is jointly funded by the Australian Government, the Queensland Government and Townsville City Council with support from the National Rugby League and the North Queensland Cowboys.

PHOTO: Mayor Jenny Hill and Townsville MP Scott Stewart check out progress at the stadium site.