City plan to entice the young
A BOLD plan to revitalise Townsville and make it more appealing to younger generations will be unveiled today.
Townsville City Council will reveal details of the Townsville 2020 masterplan at a business breakfast.
Two local businesses are among the first beneficiaries of the plan, winning contracts for projects aimed at making the city more appealing.
Townsville’s Counterpoint Architecture, in conjunction with Milford Planning, has won the tender to head the rev vitalisation of Castle Hill, while Mundingburra firm Place Design will supervise the design of new features at e entry points to the city.
Today’s revelation comes nine months after the council engaged Pure Projects to establish a masterplan that outlines ways to retain the city’s population and entice more tourists.
The report, which was the most comprehensive of its kind in 40 years, outlined 14 projects, including establishing eateries on Castle Hill, upgrading the ferry terminal and building a concert hall.
The council has also identified the need for a 6ha saltwater lagoon along The Strand with plans for the facil- ity expected to come in February.
Mayor Jenny Hill said Townsville 2020 provided a clear vision for the city.
“Townsville 2020 focuses on creating world- class experiences for locals and tourists and re- imagining some of our most- loved public spaces such as The Strand and Castle Hill,” she said. “It provides a framework for the new masterplan to build on the strategic recommendations included in the Pure Projects review of city planning.”
As part of the new framework, Pure Projects has also been appointed to the role of “city placemaker” to ensure future developments align with the vision.
The firm will open office in Townsville.
“Creating these an world- class experiences here in Townsville will help to engage our millennials ( today’s teenagers),” Cr Hill said.
“Townsville’s young population will be a major strength for the city in the future and Townsville 2020 plans to secure those economic and social benefits.
“Townsville has a unique character and we don’t want to change that – we want to enhance and celebrate it.
“Council wants to provide the community with the chance to help shape our city, and one of the first projects we will be putting out to the community is the redevelopment of the old Sports Power building in the CBD.”
The first round of projects linked to Townsville 2020 will be announced at today’s breakfast.