Further projects have entered the planning pipeline for Townsville’s stadium precinct.
Construction on the $250 million North Queensland Stadium officially kicked off last month and Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said it was always designed to be a catalyst for economic activation in the city.
The Townsville City Council’s precinct masterplan follows the Pure Projects report that recommended a diverse strategy for economic activation and community use including hotel accommodation, a sports performance and rehabilitation centre and child care centre.
“It makes perfect sense to masterplan the balance of the stadium site as a whole to deliver a flow of works that provides a sustainable pipeline of local jobs and continuous employment,” Cr Hill said.
A project being considered for the area under the masterplan is student accommodation for international students.
Cr Hill will be visiting universities and high schools as part of an upcoming trip to China to spruik the city’s educational offerings, with two universities operating in Townsville.
“I will be travelling to China in a few days and one of my goals is to bring back a proponent who wants to establish a 300-student accommodation block on the remaining land parcel of the stadium precinct,” she said.
“The coordinated approach that a masterplan offers is better value for money through a greater economy of scale by servicing up to four projects instead of one. It further permits sensible, co-ordinated and cost-effective delivery of up to four projects at once.”
The council will enter a memorandum of understanding with the North Queensland Cowboys to develop the centre for excellence and rehabilitation, which would potentially accommodate sports administration and training staff as well as housing medical professionals amongst other uses.
Last month it signed an MOU to negotiate exclusively with Hilton Hotels and Queensland development company Focus Pacific to establish a 4.5-star hotel within the North Queensland Stadium Precinct.
(Feature photo courtesy of Townsville City Council)
