Council awards design contract for Promenade project
Date published: 23 February 2016
A team of local specialists will join forces to design the first stage of the landmark Waterfront Promenade project along Ross Creek in Townsville’s CBD.
Townsville City Council today awarded the tender to SMEC Australia Pty Ltd for the design of Stage 1A of the Promenade project, a centrepiece of the Townsville City Waterfront Vision.
SMEC Australia, who have had an office in Townsville for 10 years, will head up a design team that includes local companies with experience on the Strand and Jezzine Barracks redevelopments.
The $1.1 million project will design boardwalks and pathways linking the existing facilities on the creek side of Museum of Tropical Queensland and Reef HQ, along Flinders Street East to the George Roberts Bridge at Denham Street.
Planning and Development Committee chairman Cr Tony Parsons said the Waterfront Promenade would drive new development and investment, and reshape the city.
“The promenade is the key to opening up areas along the creek and transforming Townsville’s inner-city area into an exciting World class lifestyle precinct,” Cr Parsons said.
“Establishing a network of paths and boardwalks from the Strand to the CBD, linking both sides of the creek will encourage new residential, commercial and business development in the Waterfront area.”
Infrastructure Committee chairman Cr Trevor Roberts said the awarding of the design contract was a significant milestone for the promenade project.
“The first stage of the Promenade will complete missing links in the pathway between the museum and the George Roberts Bridge, and provide a continuous link from the Ferry Terminal and the Strand all the way into the CBD,” Cr Roberts said.
“We are off to a good start by having a design team that includes extensive experience and local knowledge on major public infrastructure projects, particularly here in Townsville.
“Completing the design work will place the council in a far stronger position to seek government funding for the construction of the first stage.”
Companies which formed part of SMEC’s tender include Tippett Schrock Architects, who worked on the Jezzine Barracks redevelopment, Place Design, consultants on Jezzine Barracks redevelopment, Milford Town Planning, RLB quantity surveyors.
The scope of the design contract includes new paths and access ramps, boardwalks and platforms over the water, lighting and signage, potential realignments for pedestrian corridors, reopening of the access under George Roberts Bridge with lighting, CCTV coverage, resurfacing and extension to existing walkways, repairs to existing marine structures.
Designs are expected to be completed late this year.
