Council to seek community views on Criterion Hotel
Date published: 12 August 2016
The Townsville City Council will take on community feedback on the heritage values of the Criterion Hotel before deciding on an application to have the property removed from a local heritage register.
Councillors approved a Planning Committee report recommendation to put the application on public notice to better understand the community’s views on the hotel’s importance.
The owners of the hotel have made application to remove the property from the council’s register of Places of Cultural Heritage Value within the Townsville City Plan.
Taking the building off the register would eliminate development constraints over the property which is within the boundary of the proposed King Street Development.
Committee chairman Cr Les Walker said that the old hotel held a lot significance to the local community and council would be able to make a more informed decision by putting the application out to public comment.
“There are very good arguments either way and it’s appropriate the community has the chance to have a say before we make a final decision,” Cr Walker said.
“The King Street development is a substantial proposal for the city and we have to make a decision whether the listing for the Criterion goes and any protections are lifted, or it is retained for its heritage value to the city.”
Removing the property from the register will potentially allow the building to be removed, altered or demolished without council approval.
The committee’s recommendation to put the application out to public notification will be considered at the full council meeting on August 23.
