Site has bright future
North Rail Yards on track for renewal
TOWNSVILLE City Council is searching for a project partner to masterplan and develop the city’s former North Rail Yards.
The yards and its heritage- listed workshops are in Flinders St within the Townsville City Waterfront Priority Development Area and are a major opportunity for urban renewal.
Mayor Jenny Hill said the council would partner with the private sector to revitalise and redevelop the site with the potential for residential, commercial, new public open spaces and walkways.
Cr Hill said the redevelopment of the North Rail Yards was an important part of the council’s Townsville 2020 masterplan.
“This site has huge potential for urban renewal and will help to transform that area of the city,” Cr Hill said. “We want the private sector to be imaginative and tell council what they believe is possible on the site.
“The North Queensland Stadium is coming out of the ground, work is about to start on Central Park and the North Rail Yards site is another exciting project in the Waterfront PDA.”
The council acquired the North Rail Yards site from the State Government in 2013 and has previously called expressions of interest nationally as well as having engaged consultants to test the market for redevelopment of the area.
Planning and Development Committee chair Cr Les Walker said Townsville 2020 provided a clear vision for the future of the city.
“Townsville 2020 is about ensuring our community has world- class experiences for locals and visitors,” Cr Walker said.
“Council will work with the private sector to discover the best options for the North Rail Yards site and ensure the best outcome for our community.
“Importantly, Townsville 2020 provides the business community confidence to invest and we’re hoping for strong interest from the private sector to progress this project.”
The workshops, established in the 1880s, were closed in 1990.
Local councillor Colleen Doyle said she wanted potential development partners to be imaginative with the site.
“The site has a lot of character and we want to make the best use of what’s on the site and how it can be incorporated into a new development that meets the modern needs of our community,” Cr Doyle said.
The council is calling for interested project partners to apply and a shortlist will then be formed.