Flinders Street Redevelopment Updates

This page contains the latest updates on the Flinders Street Redevelopment project. Brochures containing this information are distributed to key stakeholders in the project, such as property owners and tenants, and are also available to the public.

October 2009

The new Flinders Street will be a retail and entertainment precinct that boasts a dynamic, fresh and people-friendly atmosphere. Townsville City Council plans to develop the precinct from a tired pedestrian mall into the bustling heart of the city. Townsville needs a vibrant CBD to reflect the city's lively character.

The plans for Flinders Street accommodate significant upgrades to the three city blocks that contain the current pedestrian mall and historic Flinders Street East. The new design will recapture Flinders Street's historic role as the principal "high street" of Townsville. Flinders Street will be a lifestyle precinct for the community that continues in the tradition of signature Townsville developments like The Strand, Riverway and Palmer Street.

An economic way forward

Flinders Street is our front door to tourism in the region.The CBD captures 73% of tourist retail expenditure in North Queensland.

It is estimated the investment in Flinders Street will stimulate an additional $81 million per annum in economic activity – revitalising retail and business interests, stimulating new investment and creating jobs.

What is happening now?

Preparations for the Flinders Street Redevelopment have forged ahead with the naming of the preferred designer for the project. Cox Rayner Architects and Planners and the local offices of AECOM Townsville (formerly Maunsell) have started the vital job of developing the detailed designs and documentation for the redevelopment.

The Cox Rayner/AECOM proposal will be almost 70% locally based and the council has reinforced its commitment to using local trades, skills and materials wherever possible in the redevelopment of Flinders Street. To keep the momentum going, the council has called for Expressions of Interest to start the tendering process for construction.

The redevelopment of our city centre was one of the first projects investigated by the new council following the local government election in March 2008.

The project was approved by full council in May 2008 and milestones included:

• Phase 1 Concept design and costing
  May 08 – December 08
• Phase 2 Funding acquisition
  October 08 – July 09
• Phase 3 Construction documentation and procurement
  July 09 – January 10
• Phase 4 Construction commences in Flinders Street East
  November 09

Phase 1 and 2 have been completed on time and budget while Phase 3 is currently underway.

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Project timelines

Funding partnerships

In November 2008, council approved the concept design and $56.6 million cost plan. In March 2009, the State's contribution of $18.9 million was secured, with Federal funding of $16.2 million announced in April. The remaining amount will be funded by council, with a contribution from property owners derived from a reserve fund set up with monies collected from the Special Area Benefit Rate.

Facts about the new Flinders Street Precinct

The new city centre will:

• Allow slow, two-way traffic to re-enter the street.
• Have green spaces to soften streetscapes and shade canopies ideal as meeting spaces.
• Have 8.5m wide, pedestrian footpaths.
• Feature a safe, village atmosphere day and night, with increased lighting and clear lines of sight.
• Include a Stokes Street plaza area to connect Flinders Street to the waterfront.
• Have more retail, dining and entertainment venues, and remain the home of the popular Cotters Market.

Our historic high street

Flinders Street began as a worn, dusty track in the 1870s and yet was the essential link between the active Port, its growing town and region. Flinders Street has changed its face and function dramatically over 130 years.

Did you know?

• The Australian Flag was reportedly unfurled for the first time in Australia before a cheering crowd in Flinders Street, Townsville in September 1901.

• The Queensland Governor, General Lord and Lady Lamington, met with great fanfare during their visit to Townsville in 1904. Our iconic coconut-covered cakes are famously named after him and his 1901 Federation speech united the country.

• At risk of bombing during World War II, the clock tower above the post office (now The Brewery) was dismantled by the community in a record three days.

• Air raid drills were regularly held in Flinders Street and bunkers were constructed in the street's gardens beds for quick escape during bombings. Crowds flocked to Flinders Street when peace was announced on 15 August 1945.

• In the 1950s, at the Roxy Theatre in Flinders Street, music and young people were celebrated with weekly "Juvenile Jubilees".

• The 1960s signalled the end of an era for Flinders Street as shoppers' numbers in the CBD declined, drawn instead to in vogue suburban shopping centres.

• By 1980, 600,000 pavers were laid along Flinders Street during its transformation into Flinders Mall. The Mall enjoyed a small peak of popularity. However, in the past two decades, shops have come and gone in reaction to the area's lacklustre surrounds.

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