Townsville an economic powerhouse with $10 billion in projects

Townsville is an economic powerhouse with nearly $10 billion worth of projects either underway, approved or with a decision pending.

Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry Desley Boyle said: “This level of investment shows that Townsville is going great guns.

“These projects are across the whole spectrum – road, rail, power, port, water, defence, education and property.

“Townsville’s economy is fast growing and diverse with some impressive figures.

“The Region’s gross regional product GRP is about $11.6 billion with an annual growth rate of 12.6% between 2001 and 2006.

“The big dollars being invested in Townsville region are reflected in the number of business visitors which increased by 18% to 300,100 in the year to June 2007.

“Tourism figures to June 2007 are also up with 1,104,800 domestic visitors (up 25%), 4,566,100 domestic visitor nights (up 36%), and 945,100 international visitor nights – excluding students - (up 30%),” Ms Boyle said.

The Minister made two main funding announcements to assist Townsville to help keep the economy powering ahead.

JCU funding

Firstly, a State Government grant will raise the profile of James Cook University (JCU) research and help the university commercialise its discoveries.

“The $412, 500 grant, over three years, will be used to establish a Manager of Innovation and Commercial Development. JCU will provide matching funding for the project.

“There is some exciting research going on at JCU – this is a way to make sure we make the most of it.

“The Commercialisation Manager will identify which research projects have the most potential to be developed into products.

“They will then help package up the research so that it will appeal to investors.

“For instance, investors want clarity about ownership of the Intellectual Property.

Ms Boyle said the position would also provide a front door for business and industry that want JCU to partner them in research projects with potential for commercialisation.

“JCU is leading the way in tropical expertise, with a vision to be one of the world’s foremost tropical research universities.

“Since 1998, the Queensland Government has invested over $40 million to progress tropical science and innovation,” Ms Boyle said.

Tourism funding

The Minister also announced that Townsville will receive a special grant of $79,200 to deliver two key local tourism initiatives.

“These funds will allow Townsville Enterprise Ltd to develop a Regional Tourism Infrastructure and Investment Plan and develop a digital strategy for the region.

“The Regional Infrastructure and Investment Plan is an essential element in the future growth of North Queensland.

“It will allow Townsville Enterprise Ltd to work with industry in identifying the required level of development needed to ensure the region grows as a tourism hotspot.

“It will also look at opportunities to attract new tourism operators to the area.

“The digital strategy will look at opportunities to use the internet to better promote tourism in the region.

“Townsville Enterprise will target consumers and the tourism industry through its website by ensuring the right information is presented in the right format with appropriate search engine maximisation. This will ensure the North Queensland region is found easily.

“The strategies and know-how developed through this initiative will be shared with local regional tourism operators to focus the whole region on online opportunities. The development of E-marketing campaigns will be a key element to attract more tourists," Ms Boyle said.

Mentoring for Growth

Ms Boyle also announced that Townsville will be included in her Department’s Mentoring for Growth Program, following a successful pilot earlier this year involving the Queensland Tourism Industry Council and Tourism Queensland.

“This Program assists businesses experiencing growth by arranging mentors to provide advice.

“Two local tourism businesses - Hervey’s Range Heritage Tea Rooms, and Hidden Valley Cabins - were mentored in August and picked up some great tips for growing their businesses,” Ms Boyle said.

“They received help to develop a business case for growth, as well as expert information from more experienced businesses.

“Having the Queensland Tourism Industry Council on board with this program is great because it means we can arrange for more businesses to have mentors,” Ms Boyle said.

The Program applies to all businesses not just tourism operators. Townsville businesses are encouraged to get involved with the program, especially those with the potential to grow or to help other businesses.

Ends

Media contact: 3224 2004

9 November 2007

PROJECTS UNDER WAY TOTAL – about $2.4 billion – plus

Infrastructure:

Ross River Dam Upgrade - $115M

Powerlink Regional Transmission Network Extension - $400M

ERGON Energy Distribution System Upgrades - $25M

Queensland Rail Track Upgrades - $380M

North Ward Road 4-lanes - $34M

Cleveland Bay Water Recycling Plant - $35M

Thuringowa – Ring Road- Stages 2 & 3 - $119M – proceeding to tender (Main Roads)

Townsville State Development area – 4,900 hectare site which provides 480 hectares for industrial development gazetted by Governor in Council December 2005

Bruce Highway Upgrade (Corduroy Ck to Tully) - $173M

Property & Construction:

Altitude Apartments Tower 1 - $32M

Strand Central - old Townsville General Hospital site re-development - $70M

RIVA on Palmer Apartments - $20M

Hedley Riverview Townsville - $20M

Grand Mercure - $12M

Nautica Appts - $45M

Gateway on Palmer Apartments - $48M

Grand Mercure Hotel - $12M

Riverway Apartment Blocks - $100M est – due to commence construction soon – pre-selling

Riverway Stage 2 – Stadium - $17M

Hedley T1 Unit Development - $80M

Saville Hotel (Crackers Corp) - $100M

Honeycombes Railway Yards Residential Precint - $300M

Dibbs St Apartments - $48M

Solarus Apartments - $28M

Others

Northern Australia Aerospace Centre of Excellence – Queensland Airports – est $30m

AWAITING START - APPROVED TOTAL - about $2.7 billion

Infrastructure:

Townsville Ocean Terminal - $1 billion

Powerlink new CQ to NQ Transmission lines - $350M

Bruce Highway Flood works - $48M

Gregory Development Road widening - $22M

Townsville Port Infrastructure upgrades - $10.5M

Property & Construction:

The Dalgety Apartments - $56M

New Womens & Upgraded Men’s Correctional Centre - $246M

Willows Shoppingtown upgrade - $50M – development application approved.

Riverway Motel No. 1 & Riverway Motel No. 2 – cost of development not yet known as still in concept stage

Vanwig Dev – Showroom – Cnr Woolcock & Mather Sts - $15M

New Stuart Police Station - $5M

Insight Commercial Park – est $70M

Education & Science:

JCU Tropical Science Precinct - $65M

BRIT Tafe, new trades campus - $43M

Others

Lavarack Barracks Upgrade Stage 4 - $175M

Lavarack Barracks Helicopter Upgrade - $25M

ERGON Energy Solar City - $30M

DECISION PENDING TOTAL – more than $4 billion

Infrastructure:

$310.5 M

Property & Construction:

$ 3.927 billion