North Rail Yards redevelopment on the right track
Date published: 7 January 2019
Townsville City Council’s call for a project partner to redevelop the North Rail Yards has proved to be just the ticket, with significant interest from the business community.
Council has now commenced assessment of the proposals to redevelop the site and short-listing has begun.
Acting Mayor Les Walker said the significant level of interest in the North Rail Yards redevelopment showed the business community was all aboard Council’s Townsville 2020 Masterplan.
“Townsville 2020 provides a clear vision for our city and gives businesses the confidence to invest and create jobs for locals,” Cr Walker said.
“The proposals put forward for the North Rail Yards will be judged on their merits, but it’s fantastic that Council has received high-quality potential project partners.”
The North Rail Yards were built from the 1880s onwards. The site is within the Townsville City Waterfront Priority Development Area.
Cr Walker said Council’s expert staff would work with the potential project partners to determine what could be delivered on the North Rail Yards.
“We want to encourage innovative and interesting proposals for that site because it is unique and provides both opportunities and challenges,” Cr Walker said.
“The North Queensland Stadium is coming out of the ground and the redevelopment of Central Park will commence in coming months and that is creating a growing momentum for other projects within the Waterfront Priority Development Area.
“There’s finally movement at the station for the redevelopment of the North Rail Yards and Council is committed to transforming the site into a destination in its own right.”
Local Councillor Colleen Doyle said redeveloping the North Rail Yards was another step in transforming the CBD.
“This site has huge potential and I’m excited to discover what proposals will be put forward by the prospective project partners,” Cr Doyle.
“There is scope for residential, commercial and upgraded public spaces to revitalise the area and transform it into one a popular CBD destination.”
