Published Saturday, 11 October, 2008 at 05:00 AM
JOINT STATEMENT
Minister for Natural Resources and Water and Minister Assisting the Premier in North Queensland
The Honourable Craig Wallace
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
QUEENSLAND’S NEWEST SUBURB NAMED AFTER NATIONAL HERO
Premier Anna Bligh has announced that a new suburb will be named in honour of Australian living legend, General Peter Cosgrove.
The Premier and Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace today announced that the new residential suburb in the Bohle Plains area of Townsville would be named Cosgrove.
Ms Bligh said the honour was in recognition of the important contribution General Cosgrove had made to the community of North Queensland following Cyclone Larry.
“In the Townsville Bulletin on 19 January this year Minister Wallace called for the community to put forth name suggestions for the new residential suburb,” said the Premier.
“The name Cosgrove was proposed and it is an excellent suggestion not only because of his service to the country but because of his service to the region during Cyclone Larry.
“General Cosgrove was selected by the Queensland Government in 2006 to head up the taskforce to repair our community following the devastation of Larry.
“The taskforce, under General Cosgrove’s direction, did a marvelous job, working with and assisting locals to rebuild the community.”
General Cosgrove, who served in Townsville in the mid 1980’s and lived nearby in Kirwin with his young family, said he was surprised when he received the news.
“I am very honoured to have this great privilege bestowed upon me,” he said.
“This has long been a defence force town and by this recognition the community celebrates this long standing and important link.
“I am both flattered and honoured by this naming of a new suburb in a great city.”
General Peter John Cosgrove AC MC, born 28 July 1947, was the Chief of the Australian Defence Force from 3 July 2002 to 3 July 2005, when he retired from active service.
Minister Wallace said the new suburb of Cosgrove, which is part of the Bohle Plains area of Townsville, would house a 250-hectare residential development project.
“The 250 hectares identified for the initial residential land release will provide an estimated 2500 housing lots, aimed at the affordable housing market,” Mr Wallace said.
Tenders for the land will open to developers by the end of 2008.
The Bohle residential land release was part of a Bligh Government commitment to review the use of up to 20,000 parcels of unallocated state land throughout Queensland and a response to increased population growth in regional centres.
Minister Wallace also announced this week that almost 5,000 hectares of land in the Bohle Plains area would be made available for a new National Park for the community.
The land is being made available for National Park because of the significant conservation and scenic amenity values of the lands.
Minister Wallace said that there would be significant environmental benefits for the local vegetation and wildlife.
Media contact: Minister Wallace’s office, 3896 3688.
The Premier and Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace today announced that the new residential suburb in the Bohle Plains area of Townsville would be named Cosgrove.
Ms Bligh said the honour was in recognition of the important contribution General Cosgrove had made to the community of North Queensland following Cyclone Larry.
“In the Townsville Bulletin on 19 January this year Minister Wallace called for the community to put forth name suggestions for the new residential suburb,” said the Premier.
“The name Cosgrove was proposed and it is an excellent suggestion not only because of his service to the country but because of his service to the region during Cyclone Larry.
“General Cosgrove was selected by the Queensland Government in 2006 to head up the taskforce to repair our community following the devastation of Larry.
“The taskforce, under General Cosgrove’s direction, did a marvelous job, working with and assisting locals to rebuild the community.”
General Cosgrove, who served in Townsville in the mid 1980’s and lived nearby in Kirwin with his young family, said he was surprised when he received the news.
“I am very honoured to have this great privilege bestowed upon me,” he said.
“This has long been a defence force town and by this recognition the community celebrates this long standing and important link.
“I am both flattered and honoured by this naming of a new suburb in a great city.”
General Peter John Cosgrove AC MC, born 28 July 1947, was the Chief of the Australian Defence Force from 3 July 2002 to 3 July 2005, when he retired from active service.
Minister Wallace said the new suburb of Cosgrove, which is part of the Bohle Plains area of Townsville, would house a 250-hectare residential development project.
“The 250 hectares identified for the initial residential land release will provide an estimated 2500 housing lots, aimed at the affordable housing market,” Mr Wallace said.
Tenders for the land will open to developers by the end of 2008.
The Bohle residential land release was part of a Bligh Government commitment to review the use of up to 20,000 parcels of unallocated state land throughout Queensland and a response to increased population growth in regional centres.
Minister Wallace also announced this week that almost 5,000 hectares of land in the Bohle Plains area would be made available for a new National Park for the community.
The land is being made available for National Park because of the significant conservation and scenic amenity values of the lands.
Minister Wallace said that there would be significant environmental benefits for the local vegetation and wildlife.
Media contact: Minister Wallace’s office, 3896 3688.