Council to test developer interest in cultural precinct
Date published: 23 February 2016
Townsville City Council will investigate private developer interest in constructing and leasing purpose built arts and cultural facilities proposed in the Townsville City Waterfront vision.
The council today backed a Planning and Development Committee report recommending the council call for expressions of interest for the provision of commercial premises to house a proposed new art gallery, library and concert hall in the CBD.
Committee chairman Cr Tony Parsons said the EOI would allow the council to compare the financial benefits of leasing privately constructed space against council funding and building the proposed facilities.
“Privately constructed facilities could provide considerable economic and social benefits for the community, and just as importantly supply the incentive for new development opportunities in the city,” Cr Parsons said.
“Creating a vibrant cultural precinct in the heart of the CBD is an important part of what we want to achieve with the Townsville City Waterfront vision along Ross Creek.
“We have the Priority Development Area declaration in place to encourage and facilitate new development in the CBD, and that will include substantial private and public investment and in some cases partnerships.
“Having an anchor tenant like the gallery, the library and the concert hall that will attract large numbers of people, could well be the stimulus to get new development off the ground.
“A number of developers have already expressed an interest in incorporating cultural facilities within their respective projects, and going out with an EOI to the market makes good sense.
“The process will allow the future council to weigh up the benefits of leasing privately constructed facilities against council funding and constructing the facilities itself.”