Council pushes project that will deliver 272 jobs, $87m boost Concert hall on agenda

PLANS for a new concert hall in Townsville will be considered as federal MP Phillip Thompson eyes off projects to use the $195 million once planned to fund the Haughton Pipeline.

The Herbert MP has seen an outline that positions a concert hall as a better alternative to a new Townsville Entertainment and Exhibition Centre.

The concert hall, which is part of a greater plan for a cultural precinct in the Townsville CBD, is one of Taskforce NQ’S economic recovery projects.

The task force, which includes North Queensland mayors and state, federal and community representatives, has identified 13 programs and projects that could stimulate the North Queensland economy in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

A report into the concert hall found the project would enhance the city centre’s entertainment options for a wide demographic.

“In short, this paper shows that the opportunity costs of not having a 1000-seat concert hall amount to almost $87m of additional output to the local economy and 272 jobs during construction,” it said.

Mayor Jenny Hill said the council’s concert hall plan was more suited for Townsville’s population and tourism prospects.

An early stage assessment into an entertainment and exhibition centre in Townsville found that a new facility was needed, , but a replacement convention ideal.

A multi-use facility that caters for small and large events was pegged as the ideal option, leading the council to pivot to the concert hall idea.

Cr Hill has requested a meeting with Mr Thompson so she can advocate for the projects that she hoped would be funded.

“I’m very keen to work collaboratively with the Member for Herbert, as we have been working with the state government and the opposition to encentre was not sure Townsville and the region gets the best deal,” she said.

But Cr Hill said the concert hall was not the only key project on her wishlist.

The mayor hopes a funding injection could be used to turn the Lansdown Eco-industrial Precinct into a “turnkey project”. Mr Thompson said the committee, which was formed to help him work out what project or projects to spend the money on, would consider every project put to them.

He added the council was finalising its business case for the concert hall and the committee looked forward to seeing it.

“I have also read other proposals and other pitches … it’s my responsibility and the committee’s to go through all of them correctly and talk about it, take the time, talk to professionals, this isn’t something we are rushing into,” he said.

Mr Thompson added he wanted to keep the funding towards projects outlined in the city deal.

“This $195 million is for the community.”