OUR TIME IS NOW
THE message that Townsville is once again a city on the move caught the attention of potential investors from around the country at a unique forum in Brisbane this week.
Inside Brisbane’s Parliament House on Wednesday, more than 300 guests from across Australia heard of the North’s growing prosperity with strong evidence of its emergence from an economic downturn.
The bold move by Townsville Enterprise to invite state politicians and investors from around the country was the first event of its kind and early indications are it was a resounding success.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s reassurance that “Townsville is a great place to invest” reverberated across the room.
Substituting political rhetoric with a raw and honest approach to the region’s current economic climate proved successful, with investors already expressing their interest.
Townsville Enterprise chief executive officer Patricia O’Callaghan said due to the event’s success, it would become an annual fixture and they would look to take the message to Canberra.
“The really hard work starts now,” she said.
“We have a program where we are following up with those who attended and also providing them with the specific information that they are requesting.”
Ms O’Callaghan said inquiries to TEL had gone into overdrive since the event.
“We’re collecting all that information – at the end of the day, this is to convert an investment opportunity and we are really excited,” she said.
“I think with the private sector, they don’t want political rhetoric, they just want to know why Townsville is the place.
“The struggling hasn’t deterred them.
“Where Townsville is in terms of the market, now is the time to invest.
“If you want to get in, then get in now.”
And it was this reassurance that caught the attention of prospective investors.
Property Council Queensland executive director Chris Mountford, who attended the event, said everyone was aware that parts of regional Queensland had experienced a “tough few years”.
“In terms of what it translates into, it’s a great first step in positioning Townsville on a radar,” he said.
“No doubt there are more works to be done to follow but off the back of the strong messaging, I think people will sit up and take notice. economy
“Certainly I think the conversations I had were all very positive and I think people grabbed on to the fact that the opportunities were there.
“It is leveraging the conversation of North Queensland.”
Auto Parts Group managing director Stephen Campbell, who co- purchased Townsville’s old transit centre last December and also attended Wednesday’s event, said he believed Townsville was worthwhile to the state’s economy.
“Whether it be short- term, medium or long- term that particular site offered all of those opportunities,” he said.
“I thought it ( TEL event) was incredibly positive and proTownsville.
“At the moment we have an array of interest for the building, we are actively refurbishing it.
“We want to add value to the street particularly with the stadium going up not too far away.”
Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said former mayor Tony Mooney used to hold business round tables in Sydney and Melbourne.
“We’re trying to come back to that,” she said.
“A lot of the southern investment that came to the region, came as a result of those meetings in the past.
“What we’re trying to do is bring a new generation of investors back to our city.”
Cr Hill said there things happening.
“There’s some great opportunities – we really are keen to engage and we’ve got governments who are willing to assist,” she said.
“For a long time a lot of people in government thought Townsville was all right but now it needs their help.
“These are the things we need to do if we’re going to stand out from the rest of Queensland and Australia.
“These investors up until a few years ago didn’t even know that were big Townsville existed and now they want to talk to other investors in southern parts of the country.”
Boulia Shire mayor Eric Britton, who also attended the event, said the State Government needed to start engaging with other parts of the state.
“Good on Townsville for putting it out there,” he said.
“There is potential for investments. Let’s put it out there and sell what we’ve got. Don’t wait for someone else to sell it for us.”