City, beaches tops
Survey shows what we treasure most
A NEW council survey into Townsville’s liveability has revealed the best suburbs to live in.
As expected, Townsville’s city and beaches came out on top, with local history, unusual and unique buildings and things to do in the evening key to the area’s success.
The council plans to use the survey to find out what it can do to improve the lives of people living in Townsville.
The first liveability survey was completed in May 2019, with the findings identifying nature, open spaces and neighbourhood safety as the top three things residents value in their suburbs.
The city and beaches area ranked 73 out of 100, which was higher than the Townsville local government area as a whole, which rated 63 out of 100.
Townsville as a whole ticked the boxes for ease of driving and parking, connectivity, range of housing types and sizes, welcoming people and people with similar interests.
However the council area was lacking in evidence of community activities, cultural or artistic community, things to do in the evening, local history, and unusual or unique buildings.
Suburbs on the banks of the Ross River, referred to as the riverside in the study, were the second most liveable area, ranking 70 out of 100.
The community voted for walking, jogging and bike paths, protection of the natural environment, condition and quality of public spaces and evidence of public investment as the area’s top five attributes. Jamie Edwards, who lives in Bushland Beach, believes her area – which came in fourth behind the city and beaches, riverside and Magnetic Island – should be number one.
The mum said the suburb was not too far out of town but with the Ring Road, she could quickly be anywhere she needed be. “There is less traffic … and being on the beach, it’s cooler where we are than in Kirwan and places like that,” she said.
Ms Edwards added it would be good if a service station could be built. She travelled into the city yesterday for her son, Lane, to enjoy the water park on The Strand. “There is a lot of kids down here that could benefit (from something like that in the beaches).”
The lowest liveability score went to the southwest, which includes the regional areas south of Townsville City, with a score of just 51 out of 100.
While the region smashed the rest in a sense of personal safety and elements of the natural environment, it ranked low for access to neighbourhood amenities and education options.
Community and Cultural Development Committee chairwoman AnnMaree Greaney said the study was conducted across four weeks to help inform the council where it should invest to make Townsville a better place to live.
“More than 4670 surveys were completed during the four week time period,” Ms Greaney said.
“The information gathered is important, as it will help council make sure it’s investing into projects that will have the most holistic benefit to the community.”