Townsville City Council will next week invite short-listed companies to submit their plans through a tender process to redevelop the North Rail Yards.

Deputy Mayor and Planning and Development Committee Chair Cr Les Walker said there had been significant interest in redeveloping the North Rail Yards since Council put out the call for a project partner last November.

“We want innovative and unique ideas put forward because we want to get the best outcome on that site,” Cr Walker said.

“The North Rail Yards have huge potential so we are encouraging the short-listed companies to be bold and imaginative with their plans.”

Cr Walker said there was momentum building for projects in the Townsville City Waterfront Priority Development Area (PDA).

“The North Queensland Stadium is coming out of the ground, the Central Park upgrade will commence in coming months and the North Rail Yards redevelopment is another major project progressing swiftly,” he said.

“I’m confident there will be more and more cranes popping up within the Waterfront PDA as more projects get put forward.”

Cr Walker said Council’s Townsville 2020 vision was helping boost investor confidence by providing a clear vision for the city and he was excited by the swift progress of the North Rail Yards redevelopment.