BOLD PLAN IN NEW HOME
TOWNSVILLE Cremations has leased a new space with bold plans to create the city’s largest funeral service chapel.
The business, currently based at 278 Charters Towers Rd, Hermit Park, has signed a 10- year lease for 1- 3 Railway Avenue, Railway Estate.
The huge property has 1000sq m of under- roof space on 3000sq m of land.
Townsville Cremations owners Neville and Lori Boyle are completing a massive renovation of the building with plans to move from Hermit Park into the new building in early July.
Mr Boyle said the building’s huge size and location on a major arterial road was what attracted him to the space.
“We had just grown too big and our current chapel only holds 25 people,” he said.
“Once it’s finished we’ll have the biggest funeral chapel in Townsville.
“We’ve been trying to find some- where in Townsville big enough to have everything under one roof.
“I’ve submitted the plans for approval and there will also be a kitchen and catering area, function room, coffin room, children’s area and reception.”
The outside of the building has been painted, and inside, walls are being torn down creating a blank shell ready to be transformed. There will also be a sealed carpark. Mr Boyle said they were a locally owned, family- run business and of- CHRISTIE ANDERSON 4722 4451 fered an array of funeral services from mortuary services to memorials and burials.
“We do a lot of what we call no service attendance where we pick up someone from a house, nursing home or hospital and then transport them to the mortuary before they go to Bowen for cremation,” he said.
“We’re also doing a lot of memorial services at the moment and eventually we will put a crematorium in Townsville.”
Ray White Commercial leasing agent Troy Townsend said the building was well known in Townsville and used to be a lawnmower shop and was also used as a cinema and skating rink.
“I think everyone in town knows this building and it’s been here for a long time.
“It’s ( funerals) a growth industry with our ageing population and it’s good to see an independent funeral home having a real run at this and committing for such a long term with a 10- year lease.”