Council invests in connected city

Council will invest $201 million in roads, drains and active transport infrastructure across Townsville over the next 12 months, realising its plan to create a safe, connected city and demonstrating its commitment to enhancing liveability.

Mayor Jenny Hill said Council maintained about 1,700km of road and 540km of pathways, as well as more than 1,000km of stormwater drains across the local government area which provides essential and safe connectivity for residents and visitors.

“An important part of Council’s commitment to making Townsville a great place to live is ensuring we have efficient and safe roads and active transport networks,” Cr Hill said.

“That is why this budget prioritises investments in road infrastructure, improved storm water management and designs to expand our cycle ways.

“The budget includes funding for projects that will drive jobs and economic growth in suburbs across the local government area.”

The 2022/23 Budget includes a $26 million investment funded by the federal and state governments in enabling transport infrastructure for the Lansdown Eco-Industrial Precinct near Woodstock.

Works will include the relocation of the intersection of Jones Rd, Woodstock Ave and the old Flinders Highway as well as the construction of new internal access roads for the precinct. An existing 1.2km rail passing loop and existing open-level crossing will also be relocated.

This budget also includes $10 million, largely funded by the Australian Government, to design and construct a new alignment for Dingo Park Rd near Woodstock, which would remove cattle trucks from the existing road, reducing dust issues for adjoining properties and allow for the development of a new feed lot.

Infrastructure Services Committee chairperson Kurt Rehbein said the budget also supported the second-year rollout of rehabilitation and safety improvements along Horseshoe Bay Road on Magnetic Island with an $8.5 million investment.

The project includes a full rehabilitation of the road between Pacific Drive and Marine Parade, including Armand Way as well as the installation of guardrails and warnings signs.

“$2.5 million has also been allocated for drainage improvements and sealing of the first 2km of Mill Road,” Cr Rehbein said.

Other road projects across the breadth of the city include:

• Allambie Lane, Rasmussen– road widening, stormwater drain relocation and installation of pedestrian refuge at a cost of $2.6 million
• Banfield Drive, Mount Louisa – undertake design to widen Banfield Drive between Louisa Creek and Karanya Street at a cost of $570,000
• Baxter Street, West End – partial road reconstruction including replacement of kerb and channel at a cost of $1 million
• Gilli Crescent, Cranbrook – asphalt renewal for entire street and replacement of sections of kerb and channel at a cost of $361,000
• Gregory Street, North Ward – asphalt, kerb and footpath renewal at a cost of $1.9 million
• Mount Low Parkway, Mount Low – undertake design to duplicate parkway and upgrade intersection at a cost of $510,000
• Miranda Circle and Jenkinson Drive, Annandale – asphalt renewal and kerb replacement at cost of $312,000.

Cr Rehbein said Council also recognised the increasing number of residents using active transport options across the city.

“We know residents want and need active transport, which is why this budget provides significant investment toward expanding and improving our cycle networks with several bike and foot path projects across the city,” Cr Rehbein said.

“This includes a $6.9 million project to undertake design work required to modify the intersection of Hugh Street and Fulham Road at Currajong to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety, $735,000 to upgrade the footpath connecting Cook Street to Soroptimist Park at Belgian Gardens and $179,400 to construct a new shared path along Angus Smith Drive between Parkinson Road and Joseph Banks Avenue at Douglas.”

For more information on the 2022/23 Budget and Operational Plan, visit Budget 2022/23.