New link for CBD
A NEW walkway linking Townsville CBD with the North Queensland Stadium will receive $5 million from the State Government.
The $10.2 million Townsville Waterfront Promenade, which will be partly funded by the city council, will include 745m of pathways and 69m of mangrove boardwalks. It will create 34 construction jobs.
AN INVESTMENT of $10.2 million will transform Townsville’s waterfront, linking the CBD to the new North Queensland Stadium.
The Townsville Waterfront Promenade project has received $5 million from the State Government’s Building our Regions program, which will be added to a Townsville City Council funding commitment of $5.2 million.
There are expected to be 34 construction jobs created during the project.
The 4m wide promenade will link Ross Creek to North Yards, Central Park, North Queensland Stadium, the CBD, Palmer St dining precinct, Civic Theatre and Reid Park precinct, Central precinct and the Bus Hub.
There will be 745m of pathways and 69m of mangrove boardwalks as part of the promenade.
Little Fletcher Bridge, behind Hog’s Breath Cafe, will be converted to a pedestrian bridge, giving a direct link to the stadium from the Central precinct. The bridge already exists but is overgrown and closed with a barbed wire gate.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said there would be new commercial, residential, hospitality and retail investment in the CBD because of the project.
“This is a transformative project for Townsville that will energise the city centre, boost jobs, and propel the local economy forward,” she said.
“Creating pathways that tie together the exciting new cultural and entertainment precincts with the stadium will ensure these investments in the city are maximised.
Mayor Jenny Hill said the project would be a “catalyst” for future developments like the North and South Rail Yards and the remaining council-owned land in the stadium precinct.
“It will also provide a direct connection between the CBD via the stadium precinct to Central Park and Palmer St,” she said.
The council is banking on numerous projects going ahead to revitalise the waterfront, city and stadium.
The council is looking for a project partner to develop the run-down North Rail Yards. Work is expected to start soon on preparation for construc- tion of Flinders Lane, which will connect the CBD and the bus hub. Townsville’s Palmer St dining precinct is also being given a spruce-up. Cr Hill said the waterfront promenade would provide a crucial new pedestrian and cycling link over Ross Creek connecting the stadium precinct to the CBD.
“This project will not only create jobs for locals now but play a crucial role in encouraging the ongoing development of the stadium precinct and other areas in the Waterfront PDA (Priority Development Area),” she said.
Townsville MP Scott Stewart said on NRL game days more than 2500 people would access the stadium by the Little Fletcher Bridge after using park-and-ride facilities at Central and Flinders St.
“Locals and visitors will soon be able to immerse themselves in the Ross Creek environment and move seamlessly between key activity precincts,” he said.
State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Minister Cameron Dick said the project would see the area evolve into a year-round destination.
“These works will create jobs and boost revenue for retailers in Townsville’s CBD through greater visitor spending,” he said.
Communities Minister and Mundingburra MP Coralee O’rourke said the project was another shot in the arm for Townsville.