Late start on bus hub
THE demolition of a CBD building which will pave the way for construction of Townsville’s bus hub will not start for at least another month.
Townsville Home Timber and Hardware will be demolished in coming months after council bought the Ogden St business in January.
Work on the $ 4 million bus hub was initially expected to begin by mid- 2017.
Tenders for the demolition closed on May 10 and will be recommended to council at their June 27 general meeting.
Deputy Mayor Les Walker said “construction was a little way off yet”.
“I couldn’t say whether it was all local businesses ( tenders),” he said.
“It will get presented on the day and we will look at the recommendation to see if that proceeds through full council.”
Cr Walker said a lot of consultation had been done in “immediate areas” with resi- dents and businesses having been consulted within the precinct.
“We are currently going through those submissions and comments to give a formal response,” he said.
“Those who have a keen interest have sent emails ( to council) as well.
“When the final design comes out, we will then put that on public display but not prematurely.”
Cr Walker said residents and businesses had been asking for a bus hub for some time.
“That’s been an ongoing issue since the Flinders Mall was removed,” he said.
“We know that it is part of the bigger picture as part of the CBD renewal and activation of the city and this goes hand in glove with other things happening across the CBD and area.
“It’s about a whole transport network and it’s going to be a good job creator.”
Townsville MP Scott Stewart said the State Government had handed control of the project to council.
“It’s pretty close to 12 months since we’ve done that,” he said.
“I’d like to see that get going as soon possible.
“I’ve had a few people send me emails saying they were not happy about the location – they’ve got concerns about noise.
“I think that has been addressed by council.”
Mr Stewart said the project “had really delivered what was best for everyone."
The long- awaited project is expected to create 10 jobs.