The forecast of increasing growth for Townsville has been affirmed by commentators across the nation and by all levels of government.

In Queensland, the state government has identified Townsville as a potential ‘second capital’. The city has been targeted as a solution to the congestion and population pressures faced by South East Queensland.

For its part, Townsville City Council is committed to enabling economic development and extends a welcome hand to investors.

Council is working hand-in-hand with the Queensland and Australian governments to boost infrastructure spending and to support new and established industries.

With a dedicated Economic Development Unit, council are happy to liaise with potential investors to discuss business opportunities and provide assistance on town planning advice.

Our goal is that Townsville remains a great place to work and do business.

Key Initiatives – Flinders Street Redevelopment

The $56.6 million Flinders Street Redevelopment is creating a main-street community hub in the heart of Townsville’s CBD.

The major features of the redevelopment work are:

• converting the current Flinders Mall into a two-way calm traffic street with wide, shaded footpaths and alfresco areas; and
• developing a new waterfront, public square along Stokes Street, in between Flinders Street and Ross Creek.

Set to open in early 2011, the redevelopment will bring new amenity and recreation to the CBD, while also setting the stage for further commercial and retail enterprise.

It has been supported by funding of $16.2 million and $18.9 million from the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments respectively.

Key Initiatives – Strategic Planning

Townsville City Council is fine tuning a five year strategic plan to meet the challenges of ensuring sustainable economic growth.

The Townsville City Economic Development Strategic Plan 2011-2016 sets out the key tasks that will support the city’s infrastructure and professional skills, attract new investment and tourism activity, while strengthening our CBD and key industrial precincts.

Townsville City Council is also working closely in partnership with the Queensland Government to develop the Townsville Futures Plan.

The Futures Plan will map Townsville’s future as the principal node for business, population and economic growth in North Queensland.

A community taskforce has been set-up to develop the plan. It brings together several local stakeholders including Townsville City Council, Burdekin Regional Council, Townsville Enterprise and the Townsville Chamber of Commerce.

Most importantly, the vision underpinning the Townsville Futures Plan is to ensure that the city grows in a way that maximises the prosperity and liveability of the Townsville community.

Key Initiatives – Tourism Attraction

Tourism activity is expected to grow in Townsville over the next decade.

In recent times, Townsville has enjoyed increasing visitor numbers, although for the year ending June 2010, visitation dipped slightly in the wake of the global economic downturn.

For the year ending June 2010, the Townsville region hosted 925,000 visitors, of which 787,000 (85%) were domestic and 138,000 (15%) were international.

Council is currently finalising a Local Tourism Precincts Development Plan to help strengthen Tourism activity into the future.

In particular, the destination plan will focus on the key tourism areas of Magnetic Island, Townsville’s CBD and the Northern Beaches region, including Rollingstone and Balgal Beaches.

If you need advice about starting a tourism business in Townsville, please visit the Tourism Queensland Resource Centre.

Key Initiatives – CBD Revitalisation

Townsville City Council’s vision for Townsville’s CBD is to see it develop over the next twenty years as the home for a working and residential population of more than 35,000 people.

To help make this vision a reality, Council is working with the Townsville CBD Taskforce, which brings together leading stakeholders from government, business and development sectors.

The Townsville CBD Taskforce is leading the formulation of a new master plan and growth strategy for the CBD’s ongoing revitalisation.

The new CBD master plan will integrate the redevelopment of Flinders Street with growth strategies for other major city precincts, such as Palmer Street and The Strand. It will also focus on facilitating renewed investment in retail and commercial sectors, and on retaining the CBD’s role as the administrative hub for the North Queensland region.

Key Initiatives – New Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre

Townsville City Council is proposing to facilitate the construction of a new, state-of-the-art entertainment and convention centre.

Greater involvement in the national business events market has a significant role to play in Townsville’s ongoing economic development: not only through direct business, spending and employment; but through the promotion of exports, innovation, tourism attractions and local expertise.

This is why council is working with the Queensland and Federal Governments on the best approach to delivering a state-of-the-art, purpose built facility within the CBD and with the capacity to cater for a range of contemporary conferences and events. It would feature a performance arena, concurrent meeting rooms, exhibition space, banqueting, and proximity to first class accommodation and entertainment.

For more information about this initiative, please council’s Manager for Economic Development and Strategic Projects.

Key Initiatives – Business Support

Townsville City Council is a strong supporter of the North Queensland Small Business Development Centre (NQSBDC), an incubator for new business.

The NQSBDC is a not-for-profit organisation which provides free assistance to small to medium size business on starting-up and running your own business. They also assist new businesses by providing affordable short to mid-term office or workshop space.