Concept plans provide preview of city's bus hub
Date published: 1 June 2017
Conceptual designs for the CBD Bus Hub are now available on line to provide the community with a snapshot of what the new facility will look like.
The release coincides with the call for tenders for the detailed design of the project and follows initial consultation with local businesses and residents in areas adjoining the proposed facility in Ogden and Hanran Streets.
A decision on the tender for the demolition of a council owned building in Ogden Street, which is central to the plan, is due in June with work expected to start in July.
Planning Committee chairman and Deputy Mayor Cr Les Walker said feedback from the community would inform the detailed design process.
“This facility has been a long time coming and will provide major activation of Ogden Street and the adjoining area. It’s important we get it right in terms of usability and design,” Cr Walker said.
“We have taken on board feedback from consultation with local stakeholders and a number of issues and ideas including noise, traffic flows, streetscaping, lighting, security and potential impacts on amenity.
“That input will now be considered in the detailed design work and the consultation with locals will continue throughout the design process.
“The current location is the best option we have with in the inner-city and we want to achieve the best outcome for the CBD revitalisation. At the same time we want to mitigate potential impacts on people who live in the local area.”
The bus hub has received $4 million in funding from the Palaszczuk Government and is being project managed by the Townsville City Council.
As part of the project, the council purchased the old hardware store site in Ogden Street to enable an access road to be constructed for buses to loop around the former Urban Quarter shopping complex.
Member for Townsville Scott Stewart said the project would play a major role in revitalising Townsville’s CBD and encouraged residents to view the plans.
“The bus hub will transform the heart of Townsville’s CBD in many ways,” Mr Stewart said.
“Public transport and the ease of access to the CBD’s shopping and restaurant precincts will be vital in the future. The bus hub is key part of the broader plan to revitalise the CBD and will integrate with the new stadium and link with the $28 million waterfront promenade,” he said.
“I urge Townsville residents from all suburbs to view the concept designs and have their say on the design. We welcome all feedback, to help produce the final, detailed design.”
Tenders for the detailed design contract will be open for three weeks. The design and consultation process will be carried out over a three to four month period with construction of the bus hub expected to be completed next year.
The concept designs and information about the project are available on the council’s website at the following link: https://www.townsville.qld.gov.au/building-planning-and-projects/council-projects/townsville-city-bus-hub
