Time for growth

This is only my second letter to the editor since living in Townsville some 53 years.

On Saturday I read the Townsville Bulletin and note the 2030 median house predictions printed by an industry specialist, benched Townsville as dead last in the LGA areas for median house prices.

Whilst some may look at this table and state, OMG look at those crazy prices in the southeast, most median prices being over 1 million, and some nearing 2 million.

Even Cairns has a prediction of over $750,000, whilst its sister down the road, Townsville, cannot even break the $450,000 mark.

It is not that I want Townsville to not be affordable, I just want it to share the opportunity.

I reflect on the pricing in other regions and I thought, yep, we definitely made the wrong decision to want strong growth and invest in Townsville’s residential market instead of other areas.

So many others told me to consider to invest down south, even my bank manager.

We sold our investment properties before Covid hit as growth had been so slow. Aka rental crisis! We and so many have got out of the market.

Now I have read yet another article that states that we have more potential stifling in the growth of Townsville, including the Strand precinct.

Without growth from investors, there is a knock on effect for real outcomes and potential for our city.

The liveability of our city does not just come in the form of its offerings both natural and manmade.

The liveability of our city also comes in the form of investment from mum and dads, entrepreneurs, project developers and governments willing to make bold decisions to enhance Townsville and to ensure we are holding our own in the Queensland landscape.

These assets along with the fragrance of arts and culture, sports, tourism and our strong education sector will attract and compliment potential future residents.

To attract people to live, work and play in our city we MUST compete on the same stage as the rest of the country.

So I challenge those who are not wanting Townsville to go ahead in the form of development on the Strand as an example, to think about those who we compete with for our fair share.

We are not on a level playing field when we have the south and the north creating better economic outcomes for industry and individuals.

We need government tourism investment dollars, government infrastructure dollars, developers dollars, airline dollars, employment talent and yes mum and dad investors to believe in this city and not lose faith.

I am sorry but some days I do lose faith. We need to shake the tree, and not accept a stand still attitude.

We must grow, not tomorrow but today.

MADONNA SIMMONS,

Townsville.