Major park planned for Townsville heart offers thousands of jobs

Premier Anna Bligh has welcomed new plans for a large children’s activity area and a new three-hectare park for Townsville as part of a major local development.

The proposals are included in a new concept plan for the park at Leighton Properties and Devine’s $1.2 billion Southbank Townsville project which will now be submitted to the local council for approval.

The Premier and Leighton Properties Executive Director Andrew Borger unveiled the new concept plans for three distinct zones in the new three-hectare city park, dubbed the Discovery Precinct, the Active Precinct, and the Nature Precinct.

Premier Bligh said the three stages of construction for the entire project, which would be phased over 10 years, will generate up to 2704 full time jobs in Townsville.

“These jobs can keep the motor running in the local economy and help put food on family tables during these tough economy times,” she said.

“This proposed development can help support the continued growth of Townsville, with population growth forecast at an extra 25,000 people by 2026.

Southbank Townsville is a mixed-use village proposed for the site of the old State Government owned QR rail yards, a 17.3 hectare site on the south bank of Ross Creek.

Premier Anna Bligh said Southbank Townsville and its three hectare city park could contribute to the State’s Q2 goals for a strong, green, smart, healthy and fair Queensland.

“Townsville City Park would become the third major park for Townsville residents,” she said.

“It would be located just 600 metres from the Townsville CBD and provide a valuable recreational area for residents and visitors.”

Leighton Properties Executive Director Andrew Borger said a park was an important feature of every city’s CBD.

“The public city park will be situated on prime riverfront land, and will become an important and beautiful attribute of the growing city,” Mr Borger said.

“The Discovery Precinct will feature the largest children’s play area in Townsville with a combination of educational and play equipment.

“The Nature Precinct will be a place where people can walk on floating boardwalks to view the mangroves and wildlife.

“The Active Precinct will provide a large grassy outdoor area for people to play sport or just relax in the shade.

“Ecological sustainability and environmental sensitivity will permeate every aspect of the park’s design,” Mr Borger said.

“Native flora will be rehabilitated and planted, the riparian environment will be respected, and the children’s play area will even feature solar paneling.”

“The Southbank Townsville City Park was designed by landscape architects Gamble Mackinnon Green, who were landscape architects on the award-winning Thuringowa Riverway park and are currently working on Townsville’s Flinders Street Revitalisation.

Premier Bligh said Southbank Townsville would support the economic growth of Townsville, whose population is forecast to continue higher than the state’s average population growth into the foreseeable future.

“Research by my Government found that Townsville City was among the top 10 local government areas experiencing the largest growth in Queensland over the five years to 2006, with Townsville’s population increasing by 20,170 people,” she said.

Media contact: Premier’s Office 3224 4500

Leighton Properties Katrina Cutler 0421 007 745