Positive signs of recovery

THE Townsville economy still has a long way to go before it emerges bigger and stronger after the COVID-19 pandemic but there are positive signs.

First, the raid on vacant land across the region must be heartening for local builders.

Money injected by the State and Federal governments, $45,000 for a first homeowner and $30,000 for anyone wanting to build a new home in the region has seen blocks sell at an almost unprecedented rate.

With land selling it means it won’t be long before builders are back building and that’s great for our local economy.

Everyone benefits when construction is pumping.

There was also more good news for the North Queensland Cowboys yesterday.

An extra $5 million from the State Government will see the Cowboys Community Training and High Performance Centre become one of the best in the nation.

The State Government needs to be congratulated on the spend.

The vision and extra funds is not only providing jobs now but it will make the centre something people want to be a part of and help lure people and jobs to North Queensland in the future.

As Cowboys chairman Lewis Ramsay said the additional funding would allow them to take the development to the “next level”.

Adding to the recovery is that the stadium will this weekend be able to host league fans for the second time in its history. It will be only be 2000 people but that will pave the way for much bigger crowds in weeks to come.

That’s when more of the hospitality and accommodation business in the CBD will start to pick up.

The move to build the stadium complex in the CBD was all about bringing business back to the city.

COVID-19 cut down much of the early opportunity but once the stadium is back in full flight there can only be positives for Townsville.