When I graduate from JCU this year, I’ll move elsewhere. I was born here and Mum and Dad live here. But it’s far too quiet in Townsville for me and there’s not enough career opportunities.
THEY’RE bored, restless and are wanting to desert Townsville for “greener pastures” in the southeast corner.
For many of the region’s millennials, a lack of youthorientated experiences is becoming a significant issue.
A report undertaken by Pure Projects revealed that in order for Townsville to reposition itself as a national destination, this demographic was pivotal to creating change.
The Transformation of Townsville document, which was the most comprehensive plan undertaken on Townsville in 40 years, found that millennials were disenchanted with the region.
Those born between the late 1980s and early 2000s said there weren’t enough things to do and that one day they would move to Brisbane or the Gold Coast.
Community consultation for the Townsville City Council- commissioned report revealed a consistent theme of boredom.
“I won’t be here in 10 years, will be on the Gold Coast or Brisbane,” one respondent said.
“There are nicer places down south, with plenty more things to do than here, day and night.”
It comes as data from the Census released this week revealed Townsville’s median age was 34 – four years younger than the national average.
It also showed that Townsville’s largest demographic was the 20- 24 age group with 15,741 living in Townsville.
St Patrick’s College school captain Riley Milton was born in Townsville but the 17- yearold wants to one day move south.
“I would love to see a lot more happening with young adult generations in town,” she said.
“Groovin the Moo is really popular among people my age so I think more music- based activities good.”
While Riley divides most of her time between school studies and her part- time job, she said the common feeling among teenagers her age was that Townsville needed more.
“I’m going to study a Bachelor of Law at James Cook University and after my degree would be really I think I want to go down to Brisbane,” he said.
“I like the big city vibe and there’s always things going on like concerts and a lot of markets.
“But I do think Townsville is a great place to raise a family and it caters to a lot of younger generations, which is great.”
Town planner Rach Hud- son, 21, moved to Townsville from the Burdekin to complete her degree at JCU.
Ms Hudson, a town planner, said she had read the report and thought it was “really cool”.
“I think ( with) the current Priority Development Area at the moment – those types of projects are really exciting to see,” she said. “If something like that ( development) was to come to us in Townsville, it would be really good.”
Ms Hudson said as a tropical city, the ideas were endless.
“Townsville is nice. We’ve got the best of both worlds in the fact that my home town is only an hour away and Magnetic Island is just 25 minutes away,” she said. “The Strand is right there too, everything you want is right there.
“It does get a bit boring but being in my profession it’s pretty exciting because I think there is a lot of development coming to Townsville that will revitalise it.”
Ms Hudson said connectivity to the suburbs in Townsville was an issue.