No sign of Promenade

TOWNSVILLE’S $ 28 million Waterfront Promenade is nowhere to be seen despite originally being scheduled to start construction earlier this year.

Mayor Jenny Hill and Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced construction on the project last October, claiming it would be under way “within months”.

In February, Cr Hill said works were expected to start in July, but Townsville City Council has not received the Pure Projects report that is due to be tabled on June 27.

Sources had told the Bulletin the council appeared confused about how to proceed with the project but Cr Hill later rejected the suggestions.

She said it was important to wait for the Pure Projects report to ensure the project lined up with master planning designed to position Townsville as a lifestyle destination for Northern Australia.

“It makes good sense to proceed with the final design of the water promenade once new concepts for the revitalisation of the CBD have been considered,” she said.

“We want to make sure we maximise our opportunities for the Waterfront Promenade and connectivity throughout the CBD and that will be influenced by the Pure Projects report.”

A walkway and cycle path is expected to be built between Reef HQ and Stanley St fronting Ross Creek, with the council preferring to secure easements over properties.

Cr Hill said the promenade was an opportunity to create a transformational public project that would bring people and activity into the inner- city.

“It’s part of a bigger picture for the city’s future and we need to make sure it works well with our public transport network, the use of the creek, the new stadium and other public and private projects in the CBD,” she said.

The council engaged Pure Projects to work with local stakeholders in developing a shared plan with clear objectives for transforming Townsville and activating areas, including the CBD.

The work will draw on existing plans, including the City Plan, City Deal, CBD Masterplan, infrastructure planning, events, transportation and tourism, and the Waterfront Priority Development Area, which includes the Waterfront Promenade precinct.

A spokesman for the Premier said the State Government’s support for the project remained unchanged.

Bullwinkles owner Greg Pellegrini said he attended a meeting with the council “quite a while back”.

“... When they were making some comments about the design,” he said.

“I support it.”