ON THE RIGHT TRACK

PLANS FOR WATERFRONT PRECINCT REVEALED

AN EXCITING new vision for a Townsville waterfront precinct has been revealed.

Design plans for CBD land on both sides of Ross Ck, including the North Yards former rail site, were unveiled ahead of a public consul- tation period. Townsville City Council’s draft guidelines for future developments in the Townsville City Waterfront Priority Development Area will be open to public feedback on Friday. The precinct could include open- air dining venues, a market hall and recreation spaces.

DESIGN plans for a reimagined Townsville waterfront precinct that could include open- air dining venues, a market hall and recreation spaces have been unveiled ahead of a public consultation period.

Townsville City Council’s draft guidelines for future developments in the Townsville City Waterfront Priority Development Area ( PDA) will be open to the public for feedback from Friday.

Developers looking to build in the area, which includes about 97ha of land on both sides of Ross Creek adjacent to the CBD, will be required to meet specific standards for lighting, green spaces, public art, walkways and building appearance.

Artist concept drawings ( left) of spaces including the North Yards highlight how the design guidelines could be applied to the development area.

Mayor Jenny Hill said the council’s consultation period would give the public and businesses the chance to submit feedback on important design elements.

“The Priority Development Area will help encourage development along the Ross Creek and we want to make sure the design of any future project fits with the vision for our city and is suitable for Townsville’s tropical climate,” she said.

Deputy Mayor and Planning and Development Committee Chair Cr Les Walker said the draft guidelines were consistent with the council’s Townsville 2020 vision.

“Townsville 2020 provides a clear vision for our city and these guidelines will help provide clarity for what sort of future projects we want in the PDA,” he said.

“The PDA has been important in securing major projects like the $ 250 million North Queensland Stadium and the proposed new high- end hotel from Double Tree by Hilton,” he said.

“Hundreds of millions of dollars are already being invested in the Waterfront Priority Development Area and that is only going to increase into the future – so that’s why it is so important to get these guidelines right.”

Cr Walker said the guidelines would provide “certainty” for businesses looking to invest in the city’s waterfront.

“Getting the guidelines right will ensure that businesses have the confidence they need to put forward new projects that will transform part of Townsville’s CBD,” he said.

The community consultation period for the Draft Design Guidelines will be 20 business days, starting on Friday.