Vibrant CBD is key to our city’s health

WE need to talk about the Townsville CBD. We need all tiers of government, as well as the city’s leaders, business owners and residents, to understand, believe and fight for Townsville’s heart.

There’s no hiding from the garish “for lease” signs, the drunk itinerants in Bulletin Square or the depressing boarded- up windows.

But among that, trying to carve out a living and keep the city alive, are dozens of small and medium- sized businesses with well maintained shop fronts and hardworking staff.

They open their doors each day in the hope things will turn around and new life will be breathed into the city. They need our help and support.

We know that people’s habits have changed and that out- of- town shopping centres with ample parking and airconditioning are more attractive propositions for certain kinds of retail therapy.

But every city worth its salt needs a vibrant heart.

The State Government has denied that it plans to move its departments out of the city to the suburbs.

If that’s true, we are relieved the rumours don’t hold water, but it would be remiss of us not to send a strong message that removing any more business from the CBD would be its death knell.

State and federal governments should know that if they wish to downsize workforces or move offices they will not do so without a fight.

And that fight won’t just be with the paper or an interested party, they will have to answer to politicians from all factions and community members from all walks of life.

We love our suburbs and the life most of us enjoy there. But our CBD is the shopfront of the city, the first and last place visitors see.

If the centre sneezes the whole city catches a cold, and that’s one bout of illness we could all live without.