KFC IS ON THE MENU

THE wishes of the people of the Upper Ross have been answered – another fast-food operator has been confirmed for Riverway Plaza.

Townsville City Council has approved an extension to the $38m redevelopment of the plaza in Rasmussen to now include a KFC restaurant and drive-through.

KFC will join Subway in the development, which also includes a new full-line Woolworths supermarket, while an existing Mcdonald’s restaurant already trades on an adjoining property.

Geon Property development manager Julia FosterMassie said it was good to deliver what the people had long wanted – even though finger-licking is not recommended in these times.

“We have had a lot of interest in getting a KFC on that site. Two years ago when we had community sessions in the Upper Ross, one of the key questions from residents was: can you get a KFC to go with Mcdonald’s,” Ms FosterMassie said.

“It was literally the big question asked by everyone.”

The development of the supermarket is well under way.

About 250 jobs are being created in a joint venture between Geon and property owners the Manolis family.

The new supermarket is being developed next to an existing Woolworths, which will be demolished to make way for more shops, while the Subway will front Riverway Drive and the KFC will be built behind the Mcdonald’s.

Geon gained approval for the redevelopment but had to apply to expand its application when KFC came on board.

Last week, the council l approved the application and extended its currency period to June 2023.

The Upper Ross has lagged in the development stakes but is catching up, with several new housing g estates and more on the way.

Ms Foster-massie said there had been a lot of resi- dential development.

“For commercial infrastructure, there has been a lot in that area. We are in- vesting a significant amount of money to get it going,” Ms Foster-massie said.

The new supermarket is expected to open in February and work on the fast-food d stores will start in January y with completion mid-year.