Concert hall plan strikes a chord
A PROPOSAL for a new concert hall in Townsville’s CBD has been welcomed by the city’s arts community, but concerns have been raised about public transport.
The findings of a feasibility study into the concept conducted by chairwoman of the National Institute of Drama and Art Jennifer Bott were accepted by Townsville City Council at a special meeting last week.
The report recommended that the new facility be located at Geon Property’s proposed The Hive development at King St or at Central Park, with the council choosing the latter.
Ms Bott said the major concern with designing a new concert hall was making it viable for the long term.
“The current cultural facilities were designed for a city with half the population,” she said.
“There are nearly 200 cultural organisations in Townsville, there are many organisations that need space.”
Ms Bott said the Civic Theatre was booked out years in advance.
“Townsville has been off the touring circuit for many years,” she said.
“This is also part of a plan to revitalise the CBD. ( The proposed new concert hall) will hold about 1000 seats and it would be a bit like the concert hall in Brisbane.
“Those places are also used for other things like speech nights and are ideal for music.”
Great Barrier Reef Orchestra president Judy Hunter welcomed the report’s findings, but said public transport was an issue.
“There are lots of pros and cons for both locations,” she said.
“Being situated on The Strand ( The Hive) is fine but it is a bottleneck. The biggest problem is public transport, Townsville needs more.
“The CBD is well away from the population centre of Townsville so it’s a major exercise to go from Kirwan.”
Ms Hunter said the study was comprehensive and had included extensive consultation with Townsville’s cultural and arts groups.
“( Ms Bott) has used interesting examples of similar places around Australia in terms of cultural facilities,” Ms Hunter said. “At least something is happening. We have attempted to do this for years and years and finally this has got the nod.”
When asked whether there was a concern about nearby itinerants at Central Park, in Dean St, Mayor Jenny Hill said there were always concerns about certain behaviours around the city.
“If ( the area) is activated, the less likely it is that these sorts of people will loiter,” she said.
Cr Hill said a cost for the concert hall had not been finalised. after the Mater Hospital said there was little demand for the new services and that the new hospital would compromise its masterplan.
Geon Property, which has proposed the new hospital, had hoped construction would be completed by the end of 2018. A council spokesman said some of additional submissions had been detailed with the council wanting to give Geon Property the right of response.