Locals to drive city plan

MAYOR Jenny Hill says the crux of a lifestyle and investment masterplan for the city rests with the people.

The council engaged Pure Projects, a leader in urban design and tourism, to develop a masterplan for the region through a review of planning documents and community expectations in February.

The masterplan was to be completed in April but the council gave the firm more time to allow more consultation.

“Pure Projects has been undertaking heart- to- hearts with many focus groups and tea groups in Townsville as well as industry,” Cr Hill said.

“Pure Projects has also widely consulted tourist operators, city planners, indigenous groups and business groups.”

Cr Hill said she expected the Townsville masterplan to be of a “high calibre”.

“We know we need to refo- cus on how people, locals, tourists and business see Townsville,” she said.

“We want people to be proud to live in, visit and invest in Townsville.

“We don’t have quite 200,000 residents, so this city still doesn’t have the economies of scale for some of the things they have in the capital cities.

“But we have other facets that are advantageous that the big cities don’t have such as low traffic. We don’t spend an hour in a traffic jam.

“We also have affordable housing in comparison to the capital cities and we have great public facilities that are very easy for people to get to like The Strand, Riverway and Magnetic Island.”

Cr Hill said she acknowledged some people wanted the city to be “more exciting”.

“We acknowledge that and it is often simple things that those people want,” she said.

“It may cover commercial activities on The Strand, or such things as allowing people to abseil off Castle Hill like they do at Kangaroo Point in Brisbane or kite surf on The Strand.

“Of course, sadly we always have to be mindful of the risk involved in such activities.”

Cr Hill said the plan would be handed down in June.

“Securing Townsville’s water supply remains my council’s No. 1 priority,” she said.

“It is important though to set a clear direction for Townsville’s … development.”

Pure Projects is headed Don Morris and David Williams.

Mr Morris was a co- founder of Mojo Advertising, the firm that created campaigns including “I Still Call Australia Home”, “C’mon, Aussie, C’mon” and “Slip an extra shrimp on the barbie”.

He has been chairman of Tourism Australia and Tourism Queensland and is a director of Ardent Leisure.

Mr Williams co- founded Pure Projects and has carried his management experience into initiatives such as Marina Bay Sands in Singapore and parts of the redevelopment of Sydney’s Star Casino.