Kirwan’s good medicine
A MEDICAL precinct and apartment project has been proposed for the former Thuringowa council property at Kirwan.
NSW- based Eastbrooke Medical Centres has lodged an application for preliminary approval for a material change of use with Townsville City Council. The application is currently on public notification.
The group is in the process of buying the site from Townsville City Council for a price understood to be a multi- million- dollar figure.
While a decision on the preliminary approval is yet to be made by full council, planning committee chairman Les Walker was in no doubt about the benefits of the move.
“This will be a great out- come in what the project is trying to achieve,” Cr Walker said.
“It fits in well with our city plan.”
He did say one element of the plan involved a need to relocate the property’s cenotaph “a couple of metres” into the adjoining Dan Gleeson Memorial Gardens property.
“We love our cenotaph. It’s heavily used on Anzac Day and gets a very strong attendance,” Cr Walker said. “We don’t want to lose that support of the community.”
The council site, subdivided to allow for disposal, is about 2.4ha and includes the former council chambers, customer service centre and a library which will continue to operate.
Eastbrooke’s proposed development plan includes a medical centre including X- ray services, dental, hearing and allied health, mixed retail including gymnasium, pharmacy, fresh food grocer, cafe and day care and 132 residential units developed across four- storey buildings.
The council commissioned Colliers International to market the property last year.
Colliers managing director Peter Wheeler said Eastbrooke’s plan “provides for a diverse range of businesses”.
“It will be great for Kirwan and great for Townsville as a whole,” Mr Wheeler said.
Eastbrooke’s application says its proposal will facilitate development that responds to its environment and emergent community needs.
“The proposal has no detrimental impacts on the adjoining environment and will provide a pleasant, safe and attractive facility ( with) essential services to the community,” the application says.
Business Daily: p40- 41