Council Services
 In Queensland, councils look after the coordination of essential services such as local traffic, waste collection, water supply, drainage systems and domestic animal management. Councils also manage local parks, gardens, libraries and provide recreational activities and cultural events.
Townsville City Council is committed to providing friendly, timely and reliable services to residents. Customer Service Centres in the city and Thuringowa Central are one-stop-shops, making it easy to find answers to questions about council services. Information about services, attractions and events can also be found throughout the rest of council's website.
   
Electoral rolls and councillor elections
Elections for councillors are held every four years. To have your say, enrol to vote as soon as you have settled into your new home. Voting enrolment forms are available from the Australian Electoral Commission and Australia Post offices.
Townsville City Council operates under a non-divisional system, where all councillors are responsible for the operation of the entire city. However, you can contact the nominated councillor for your specific suburb. Under current legislation, in the event of a by-election to replace an exiting councillor, all residents across the city are required to vote.
Interpreter Service
Townsville City Council offers a Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) for core business. A phone link-up or face-to-face interpreters can be organised if required. This system is provided by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
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Residents pay rates so that council can provide essential local services. General rates go toward building and improving local roads and drainage systems, building and maintaining parks and gardens, staffing and equipping libraries and supporting other recreational facilities, such as our national standard sporting grounds. Council also hosts and supports local festivals and events.
Rates notices are issued to property owners every six months, normally in the first and third quarter of the calendar year. Council offers a discount on prescribed rates and charges when full payment is received by the due date. There are some exclusions, so it's important you check the specifics of your property and services. GST doesn't apply to council rates. Council issues rate notices at least 30 days before the due date to ensure ample opportunity for residents to receive their discount entitlement. Please check the postal address on your Change of Ownership documentation as future notices will be sent to this address unless you advise council of a change.
Council offers a discount on rates to approved pensioners up to a maximum limit per annum. Approved pensioners receiving less than a maximum qualifying pension may be eligible for a pro-rata discount. You must own and live on the property, be a holder of an eligible pension card and have no outstanding rates and charges. Contact the Customer Service Centre or visit the website to find out more about eligibility criteria.
The Queensland Government also provides an annual subsidy to approved pensioners, determined by the Department of Communities. You can find out more from council's Customer Service Centre.
Payment options
There are various ways to pay council rates, fees and charges.
Financial hardship
Council understands that from time to time, property owners face financial hardship. Contact council if you anticipate
difficulties in paying your rates, fees or charges on time, as overdue notices incur interest charges.
Consider paying smaller regular payments in advance to ease the financial burden of making lump-sum payments.
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The enjoyment of a pet also comes with responsibilities, and council has local laws in place which govern the keeping of different types of pets.
  
Registration and identification of pets is important for the wellbeing of animals, owner's peace of mind, and to allow council to plan for future community needs, such as off-leash dog areas.
All dogs are required to be registered when you get the dog or within 28 days of your arrival in Townsville. Puppies under six months of age may be registered free in their first year, although you will need to show proof of your puppy's age. The number of pets you are able to keep is dependent on a number of factors – check with the Customer Service Centre for advice.
Each year, council will send renewal notices to the registered owner's address. Discounts are available to pensioners and owners of de-sexed dogs.
In some circumstances, permits are required to keep some types of animals. The Customer Service Centre can provide further information.
Council provides a “Missing Pets” section on the website which is the first place to look if your pet goes missing. Animals with no identification are photographed and details provided on the website. Rescued animals are taken to the RSPCA animal refuge to ensure their safety until collection (ph. 4774 5130).
New pet legislation
The Queensland Government is in the process of implementing new legislation that may affect pet owners. Council will publicise any changes, and you can keep up-to-date by regularly visiting the Animal Management section of this website.
Townsville's off-leash areas
Refer to the Townsville map for physical locations.
| Park |
Location |
| Lou Litster Park |
Between Boundary Street, Queens Road
and Philp Street, Hermit Park |
| Pallarenda Beach |
Between Access Points 8 and 9 |
| Cambridge Park |
Between Cambridge Avenue and Hodges
Crescent, Vincent |
| Lappin Park |
Between Kern Brothers Drive and Lappin
Place, Kirwan |
| Jabiru Park |
Between South Vickers Road and Jabiru
Avenue, Condon |
| Murray Park |
Murray Lyons Crescent, Annandale |
| Benwell Rd |
Beach side between Archer and
Boundary Streets, South Townsville |
| Rossiter Park |
Between Access Points 8 and 9 |
Your Pet Checklist
 Register your dog or puppy within 28 days of arrival
Leash your dog in public
Visit the city's eight off-leash areas
Check your fence is strong and secure
Pick up after your pet – take a bag with you every time
Teach your dog not to bark excessively
Find out about specific North Queensland animal diseases
Provide extra security for your pet during thunderstorms
Native animals
If you come across injured or sick wildlife, it's best to take them to a vet who can treat and refer to a wildlife carer if necessary. Be aware that native animals may be protected. Some animals, such as flying foxes and bats, may harbour diseases which can be transmitted to people by bites and scratches. Do not handle these animals. For information on the management or removal of snakes, possums or other native wildlife from your residence, call North Queensland Wildlife Care (24 hour phone service ph. 0414 717 374) or the Environmental Protection Agency hotline (ph. 4722 5227).
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Waste Services – domestic and recycling
 
Wheelie bins are used for the collection of household waste, with general waste (red or green-lid bin) collected each week. Residents with a recycling waste service (yellow-lid bin) have collection services either weekly or fortnightly. Kerb side collection continues regardless of public holidays. A waste and recycling calendar is available from council's Customer Service Centre which provides information on services, waste facility locations and recycling. You can also check your bin day online.
Bins are supplied free of charge to new services, but replacement costs are the responsibility of the property owner.
In addition to domestic rubbish collection, council provides six Free Tipping Vouchers to property owners who pay a waste service charge. These vouchers allow free disposal of waste at any of council's waste facilities. Contact Customer Service Centre to find out more about eligibility criteria and conditions.
Tips on recycling
Do...
Take lids off plastic bottles and glass items
Place items loose in the bin – not in plastic bags
Check for a symbol on items to ensure they are recyclable
Include only household items (e.g. from the kitchen, bathroom and laundry) not from the garage or garden shed
Don't include...
 Ceramics and ovenware  Syringes Food scraps Nappies Light bulbs Gas cylinders Plastic bags Cling wrap Garden waste Auto parts Batteries Foam Polystyrene
Your Waste Checklist
Ensure your bin is kerbside by 6am on the day of collection
Place your bin with the handle and wheels facing your house
If placing two bins, ensure they are at least 50cm apart
Don't overfill your bin (80kg maximum) and ensure the lid isclosed
Make sure your bin is clear of parked cars and other obstructions
Don't use wheelie bins to discard building materials, dirt, cement, car batteries, motor oil, hazardous waste including chemicals, medicines, mobile phones or gas cylinders.
Water Restrictions
Townsville often experiences extended dry periods and year-round water restrictions apply. Restriction levels depend on water storage levels, with any changes publicised through the media and council's website.
“Odds and Evens” water restrictions apply at all four levels, and you may receive an on-the-spot fine if you use sprinklers outside your allocated days and times.
Odd numbered houses may water on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Even numbered houses may water on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Visit the water restrictions page to find out more about water restriction levels and other information, or contact the Customer Service Centre for more information on how to use water wisely, report a water leak or a faulty water meter.
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Your Water Wise Checklist
If you are new to the region, find out about watering strategies that work in the tropics (e.g. mulching, water
smart plants, reduce lawn, deep watering)
Keep your water meter clear of shrubs, weeds and grass
Ensure access is available for meter-reading and maintenance
Install water saving devices in your yard and home
Check your water usage regularly to see if you can reduce it!
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Townsville City Council's Community Centres are vibrant hubs and are extensively used by community groups and
organisations for activities, including fun and fitness, meetings, learning for all ages, social gatherings, internet access, arts and culture, recreation and information.
Council Community Centres offer community drop-in, volunteer programs, mobile library services and computer facilities. Contact Community Venues for more information and to make a booking.
Council Community Centres include:
- Annandale Community Centre
- Heatley Community Centre
- Oonoonba Community Centre
- Railway Estate Community Centre
- Riverside Gardens Community Centre
- Wulguru Community Centre
Contact the Community Information Centre for the locations of privately operated Community Centres.
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Community Services
Council offers a range of services, programs and activities for aged, women, families, children, youth, people with a disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
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Disability Access
Townsville City Council provides a range of services and programs for people with a disability including Browsealoud
on council's website. This software assists people with disabilities, visual impairments, low literacy and English as a
second language, to access web content. Publications such as the Accessing Townsville Guide assist people with limited mobility to access the various shops, restaurants, attractions and services.
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CityLibraries has three branches: Flinders Street, Thuringowa Central and Aitkenvale and also operates a Mobile Library Service and Corporate Research Service.
Regular programs at the libraries include story time for underfives, baby rhyme time, book clubs, internet access, lectures and gaming consoles. Libraries have come a long way – take the time to discover your nearest branch!
CityLibraries Mobile Library Services visits Magnetic Island weekly, and travels south to Cungulla beach, west to Woodstock and to the Northern Beaches. On selected days, the service visits a number of urban areas. You can join the library, reserve books, return books, access the Internet, or just pop in for a browse (ph. 4727 8324).
CityLibraries Corporate Research Service is council's internal library, providing information, resources and support to
councillors and staff, but is also available to the public. Subject areas include Townsville's economic and demographic statistics, Australian Standards and building codes, history of planning and development in Townsville and the history of council.
If you are interested in the history of your local area, visit the local history collection at CityLibraries Flinders Street.
Contact CityLibraries to book a free tour of the branches, which can be tailored to your specific needs, including adult literacy students, group researching, new migrants, international students and special needs groups.
| Flinders Street |
|
ph. 4727 9666
Level 1 Northtown
280 Flinders Street
Townsville City
|
Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm
Saturday 9am – 12 noon
Sunday 9am – 12 noon
Bus Routes >> All except 10
|
| Thuringowa Central |
|
ph. 4773 8811
86 Thuringowa Drive
via Hinchinbrook Drive
Thuringowa Central
|
Monday to Friday 9am – 6pm
Saturday 9am – 4pm
Sunday 10am – 1pm
Bus Routes >> 1, 3, 3A
|
| Aitkenvale |
|
ph. 4727 8310
4 Petunia Street
(off Ross River Road)
Aitkenvale
|
Monday 10am – 5pm
Tuesday 10am – 8pm
Wednesday 10am – 5pm
Thursday 10am – 8pm
Friday 10am – 5pm
Saturday 10am – 2pm
Bus Routes >> 1, 1A
|
Swimming Facilities
Townsville City Council offers a range of public recreational venues in a supervised environment.
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