TEL puts leisure drawcard on backburner
WITH Townsville Enterprise Limited ( TEL) funded to the tune of $ 800,000 per annum from the Townsville City Council, is there in part a case of trying to be jack of all trades, while proving ace of none?
TEL spruiked spreading its wings to Bowen and Ayr and spends much time spruiking our mayor’s message on Adani or similar but yet where is focus on TEL’s and our own backyard? When was the last time you heard mention of Paluma, other than a correlation to our water predicament or improving the road to Paluma?
Paluma, as just one example in our region, is a phenomenally picturesque area, great for a barbecue, a coffee or a swim with some great local artists, but like much of Townsville, is left to its own devices with many attempts at Palumabased businesses struggling over the years.
While spruiking association on big- ticket items, why doesn’t TEL turn focus to broadening horizon for Townsville leisure tourism? TEL could focus on building a model around a monthly Paluma market commencing in 2018 with Townsville City Council support. TEL could look to establishing Palu- ma’s destination once again, look to local artists, negotiate a gallery open door once a month in conjunction with a monthly market.
Early after election of Team Hill we heard that tourism would be Townsville’s next frontier. The truth is what we have to offer leisure- wise over the years has not changed and should never have been forgotten. STEVEN ISLES, Bushland Beach.