Sturt Street Cutting Rockface Stabilisation

Investment $1.9 million
Goal1. A city that connects you to what you need at the time you choose.
Strategic PurposeThese essential stabilisation works are required to maintain our city’s connectivity and will ensure access to this well-used city centre carpark, and adjacent footpath and road, is maintained for the community to safely use.
Status Underway

Project Overview

The Sturt Street Cutting Carpark will be temporarily closed from Monday 31 July to September 2023 for essential stabilisation works to the rockface.

View alternative Townsville City Car Parking options

Council is committed to growing Townsville and improving our city’s connectivity and liveability through the provision and maintenance of high-quality amenities that enhance the community’s lifestyle. The Sturt Street Cutting Carpark is a popular facility used by workers commuting to the city for free parking. Over the past two decades, the Sturt Street cutting has been subject to rockslides and boulder movements, typically occurring in wet weather seasons.

Council is undertaking essential stabilisation works to the rockface to minimise the risk of rock fall from existing escarpments to ensure the community can continue to safely use the carpark, footpath and road.

The project scope includes:

  • Detailed dilapidation inspections to all residing properties positioned within Jones Street.
  • Closure of the free public car park throughout works.
  • Closure of one inbound lane on Sturt Street adjacent to the works with traffic management in place.
  • Installation of netting, rock bolts and shotcrete, which involves a mix of high-strength concreted being sprayed at high velocity.
  • Associated earthworks that may consist of removing and/or building up to form a secured footing.

Works are scheduled to commence from Monday 31 July 2023 and will require temporary closure of the carpark and one city-inbound lane. Traffic management will be in place. Access through existing properties may be required periodically, due to the topography of the work area. The works are expected to be completed by the end of September 2023.

The rockface stabilisation works will provide a lasting protection barrier to the Sturt Street Cutting and existing rock face, which will significantly reduce any further impacts from weather events, ensure the safety of commuters, road users and pedestrians, and provide a safe, usable carpark, footpath and road for the community.

Alternative free parking is available at Dean Street carpark and other city locations, and a temporary free carpark will be available at Wally Tallis Way next to the Queensland Country Bank Stadium for the duration of the works. For more information, download the Townsville City Car Parking Map.