Budget splurge set to lift city

TOWNSVILLE City Council is planning a multimillion- dollar cash splash to beautify the city, fix the suburbs and generate jobs.

The Bulletin can reveal the council 2018- 19 Budget, due to be handed down tomorrow, includes $ 9 million to upgrade the area around the North Queensland Stadium.

The funds will be used for landscaping, new road design, footpaths and water and sewer infrastructure in the stadium precinct.

Mayor Jenny Hill said the stadium would be a major driver of urban renewal in the CBD and become a catalyst for further developments and jobs.

“We are all starting to see the $ 250 million North Queensland Stadium take shape and council is investing in upgrading essential infrastructure to cater for the area’s future growth,” she said.

“The city’s first new highend hotel in decades will be built next to the stadium and we’re sure more major developments will spring up throughout the stadium precinct. These developments will create huge numbers of jobs for locals both during construction and after the work is complete and the precinct be- comes a brand new destination for our city.” The Budget is also expected to include more than $ 5 million for new parks and upgrades throughout Townsville suburbs.

“We’re fixing up the suburbs from the Northern Beaches through to the Upper Ross and the CBD,” Cr Hill said.

“We’re spending more than $ 1 million on the North Shore Youth Activation Hub to ensure there are the right facilities for such a fast- growing area.”

Cr Hill said the Budget would also include funds for a feasibility study for the Lagoon project, which was proposed as part of the council’s 2020 masterplan for the city.

“The Lagoon will greatly enhance The Strand and it’s sure to become a favourite spot for both locals and tourists,” she said. Cr Hill said the Budget would also include funding to “facilitate local support” for the lithium- ion battery plant project.

“The lithium- ion battery plant will charge Townsville’s economy for decades to come and position our city as a world- leader in advanced manufacturing,” she said.

Cr Hill said $ 1.35 million will go to completing the fitout for the North Queensland Regional Data Centre.

“The data centre will not only ensure digital resilience for our community but it will be a key driver to attract more hi- tech businesses,” she said.