Agreement necessary on City Deal initiatives
Date published: 9 July 2021
Townsville City Council will continue to work with the Queensland and Australian governments to find agreement on projects to be funded under the Townsville City Deal.
Mayor Jenny Hill said she welcomed the Australian Government’s announcement today of grants for two local projects.
“Council welcomes the Federal Government’s announcement of grants to fund the refurbishment of ReefHQ and to upgrade and expand the Royal Flying Doctor Service base,” Cr Hill said.
“Council will continue to work for agreement from all three levels of government on projects to be funded with the $195 million promised by the Prime Minister for Townsville under the City Deal.
“The goal of the tripartite City Deal, signed with much fanfare from the Australian Government in 2015, was to identify and fund transformational projects for Townsville.
“Projects that would deliver the secure, long-term jobs and set Townsville up for the next 20-30 years.
“Projects like the Lansdown Industrial Precinct, which has the potential to support around 160 construction jobs and around 1600 ongoing jobs in its first stage, as well as more than 9100 indirect jobs.
“Or the North Queensland Simulation Park, NQ SPARK, which is to be built in Douglas between James Cook University, Townsville University Hospital and Lavarack Barracks.
“This project is expected to support around 280 jobs during construction and more than 800 ongoing and indirect jobs.
“These are just two of the shovel-ready, future-proofing projects that should be funded under the City Deal.
“I urge the Federal Minister and the Member for Herbert to continue to abide by the terms of the Townsville City Deal and work with Council and the Queensland Government for the benefit of the Townsville community.
“You only have to look at the transformational impact of Queensland Country Bank Stadium, delivered under the City Deal, to see why all levels of government should continue to work together.”
