Council invests in transformational projects
Date published: 21 June 2022
Townsville City Council has today released a record budget with a confident $957.5 million investment in delivering essential services, infrastructure upgrades and major projects to continue growing the city and its economy.
Mayor Jenny Hill said the 2022/23 Budget and Operational Plan set a clear strategy for Townsville to stay ahead of the game and position itself as the key location for economic development in Northern Australia.
“Council has worked hard to secure $240 million of Federal and State Government funding to invest in city enhancing projects, with $80 million investment for enabling infrastructure developments to support the Lansdown Eco-Industrial Precinct, $22 million for the city’s recycled water treatment facility, $74.7 million of Queensland Government funding to continue Haughton Pipeline Project Stage 2 and investment to advance the Townsville North Queensland Defence Strategy,” Cr Hill said.
“Water, natural resources and people are the three key components critical for growing the economy of Northern Australia and we are well-positioned to be able to deliver each.
“Our forward-thinking investments in projects like the Lansdown Eco-Industrial Precinct, Townsville Hydrogen Hub, NQ Spark, and the Haughton Pipeline Project are critical to future jobs growth.
“As cities across the world grapple with positioning themselves for future prosperity, Townsville City Council’s work to grow Townsville into a globally connected community has never been considered more important.”
Visiting dignitaries from across the Asia-Pacific region recently recognised the city’s forward-thinking investments and strategies as a key strength for our region.
India’s High Commissioner to Australia, Mr. Manpreet Vohra, described Council’s visionary initiatives and green economy focus as critical for attracting global attention and investment.
Cr Hill said investing in projects to grow the city was non-negotiable.
“Our work to support the establishment of advanced manufacturing and new green energy industries and services in our city is what will protect us from future economic volatility and ensure our growth,” Cr Hill said.
“Townsville faces the same challenge as any large regional centre in Australia: we require investment in infrastructure and operations that is difficult to sustainably support with our relatively small ratepayer base.
“Like many councils across the nation, we are beholden to state and federal government support and the only solution for long-term prosperity is to grow and diversify our economy.”
Cr Hill said Council’s positive credit rating had already attracted $240 million in grant funding for capital and operational projects for Townsville and was a sign of strong confidence in the city.
“Council will continue to work cooperatively with other levels of government and private sector businesses and industry to bring these projects to fruition,” Cr Hill said.
“These major projects are once-in-a-generation, transformational projects that will diversify our economic portfolio and ensure prosperity of our region both now and into the future.”
When operational, these projects are expected to support more than 9,700 jobs and contribute more than $1.6 billion to the Townsville Gross Regional Product and Australia’s national economy.
For more information on the 2022/23 Budget and Operational Plan, visit Budget 2022/23.
