Townsville City Council acknowledges the Wulgurukaba of Gurambilbarra and Yunbenun, Bindal, Gugu Badhun and Nywaigi as the Traditional Owners of this land. We pay our respects to their cultures, their ancestors and their Elders, past, present and all future generations.
OUR VISION
A globally connected community driven by lifestyle and nature.
OUR PURPOSE
Grow Townsville.
CONTACT US
103 Walker Street,
Townsville City
PO Box 1268, Townsville QLD 4810
13 48 10
enquiries@townsville.qld.gov.au
townsville.qld.gov.au
MAYOR’S MESSAGE
Welcome to our Live Townsville community magazine, providing residents with information about Council projects, events and activities happening throughout the city.
Last month Council adopted the Budget and Operational Plan for the 2024-25 financial year. The budget reflects Council’s commitment to secure our financial position, while maintaining core services for our entire community alongside the delivery of key projects to grow Townsville.
Council services more than 86,000 rateable properties and oversees infrastructure worth close to $9 billion. The budget allocates more than $588.6 million on roads, water, wastewater networks, and waste management with a further $91.9 million towards maintaining and renewing parks, playgrounds, community facilities and open spaces. We have identified a program of works which responsibly balances delivering for today and tomorrow, prioritising the continued delivery of core services, supporting local jobs, and maintaining vital community assets.
We are also pleased to support the continued investment in a connected and engaged community through the hosting of cherished annual events, investments into our libraries and of course arts and culture.
Take some time to flick through Live Townsville for project updates, budget information and a calendar of terrific events that should be on your radar.
Be a water smart champion for our city, just like Scott Drinkwater from the North Queensland Cowboys and help save water!
Like his name suggests, Drinky loves water, but it’s vital when living in North Queensland’s dry tropics that we conserve this precious resource.
Top 3 Water Smart Tips
Follow these tips to curb your water usage habits and score a try for water conservation:
1 Install water-efficient products around your home
2 Check and repair your irrigation for leaks
3 Build a strong lawn by only watering twice a week in the dry and never when it’s wet
Every drop counts. Come on Townsville, let’s get water smart!
COMMUNITY OUT IN FORCE FOR ECO FIESTA
Council’s signature biennial community event Eco Fiesta drew a crowd of around 10,000 enthusiastic attendees to Anderson Gardens on Sunday 2 June.
The event showcased the latest and greatest in environmental tips, products and ideas, with a focus on the importance of pollinators to our natural environment.
Council swapped almost 600 sprinklers for new water-wise ones, helping our community save water.
Eco Fiesta is one of Townsville’s most loved, family-friendly, and free events.
View upcoming events at What’s On Townsville.
MORE EVENTS
VISIT WHATSON.TOWNSVILLE.QLD.GOV.AU
TOWNSVILLE
ACHIEVES
ECO DESTINATION CERTIFICATION
The Townsville region has achieved ECO Destination Certification at the Nature Tourism level with Ecotourism Australia by meeting globally recognised sustainability standards.
The certification assures travellers that Townsville is backed by a strong, wellmanaged commitment to sustainable practices and provides high-quality naturebased tourism experiences within the region.
Townsville is the third destination in Queensland and the ninth in Australia to become an ECO Destination, solidifying the region as a leader in sustainable ecotourism.
Townsville was funded to achieve the certification under the Queensland Government’s Eco-certified Tourism Destination Program which provided grants to councils and regional and local tourism organisations to support attainment of the high level ECO Destination Certification.
MARABOU PARK MAJOR UPGRADE
A more visible location, upgraded security features and a nine-hole disc golf course are among the new features at Annandale’s Marabou Park.
Community feedback informed the park and playground's new design.
The project totalled $760,000 and included a focus on public safety with new lighting and CCTV cameras.
TOWNSVILLE’S PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS
Council has launched a new online tool to help you find parks and playgrounds around our beautiful city.
Discover Townsville's most popular parks and playgrounds by first clicking on 'Find a Park' at the bottom of this page. This will take you to our website where you can use the interactive map to find parks or playgrounds near you, or use the 'Refine search' tool to find locations with specific assets such as barbecues, basketball courts and accessible toilets.
We maintain 367 parks and playgrounds for our community to enjoy, including 21 off-leash dog parks. The 2024-25 budget will invest $91.5 million into maintaining these fantastic spaces like The Strand, Riverway and Jezzine Barracks, and the many other parks and playgrounds around Townsville.
One of the most wonderful aspects of our city is our outdoor lifestyle; it's what makes living in Townsville special, and it's right at our doorsteps.
Image: Sunhaven Park, Burdell
2024/25 TOWNSVILLE CITY COUNCIL BUDGET Overview
5.1%
Average Rate & Utility Increase
Equates to an increase of $3.78 per week for the average owneroccupier household, made up of $1.74 per week for general rates and $2.04 per week for utilities.
$328.0m
Infrastructure Investment
Capital investment to deliver services and infrastructure across Townsville.
$397.4m
Water & Wastewater Management
Includes maintenance of more than 2,700km of water pipes and more than 1,400km of wastewater pipes across the city.
$868.1m
Total Budget
Total investment in community service delivery and infrastructure.
$135.7m
Roads & Transport
Includes road repairs, construction and maintenance on more than 1,800km of road network, as well as footpaths, bridges, bus stops, bike lanes.
$10.4m
Safe City Investment
Investing in operating security and surveillance CCTV systems, street lighting and community response vehicles.
$588.6m
Core Services
Investing in maintaining community assets across Townsville. Including roads, bridges, footpaths, drains, libraries, parks and other community facilities.
$91.5m
Parks & Open Spaces
Mowing and maintenance of 367 parks, 203 playgrounds, The Strand, Riverway, Jezzine Barracks, road verges, tree pruning and litter collection.
Please note some expenditure may appear in multiple categories above.
5%
Payment Discount on Rates
Discount available to owneroccupiers when rates are paid by the due date.
WHAT THIS BUDGET MEANS FOR YOU
For every $100 - where your rates go. RATES
Council invests your rates back into our community. Every $100 can be divided into the following infrastructure and service costs.
For every $100 - where your utilities go. UTILITIES
Council invests your utility charges back into our community. Every $100 can be divided into the following infrastructure and service costs.
YOUR 2024-25 RATES AND UTILITIES CHARGES
Funding core services for our entire community
In recent years, Council has absorbed rising costs (including electricity, fuel, wages and service providers) to ease pressure on residents. This is no longer sustainable and in order to maintain services ratepayers will see a necessary increase of 5.1% in 2024-25.
For the average Townsville residential ratepayer, that works out to be an increase of $3.78 per week, made up of $1.74 rates and $2.04 utilities.
To understand how Townsville’s rates and utilities compare to other cities and towns, we analysed charges, discounts and other data from 11 councils across Queensland, including Townsville. We compiled our findings in a 2024-25 Rates Benchmarking Snapshot.
Townsville ratepayers receive one bill for combined rates and utilities, while some other councils issue water charges separately. For a reliable comparison, we have looked at average residential annual totals of combined rates and utilities for all councils.
How are rates calculated?
How do Townsville’s rates and utilities compare?
Townsville average $3,801 Queensland benchmarked average $3,803
• Townsville’s 2024-25 rate increase of 5.1% for the average residential ratepayer is just below the Queensland benchmarked average of 5.6%.
• Townsville’s average residential ratepayer’s annual change is $3,801, which is just two dollars under the Queensland benchmarked average.
• Some councils offer no discount, some offer flat fee discounts, others offer discounts ranging from 5% to 10%. Townsville’s 5% prompt payment discount places the average discount amount at $86 which is the same as the Queensland benchmarked average.
• Townsville continues to offer one of the most generous pensioner rate concessions in Queensland, with up to $800 per annum available to eligible pensioners.
LEARN MORE ABOUT RATES, INCLUDING PAYMENT OPTIONS, CONCESSIONS AND HOW TOWNSVILLE COMPARES TO OTHER LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS. VISIT TOWNSVILLE.QLD.GOV.AU UNDERSTANDING RATES
CHANGES TO PAID PARKING
Council’s commitment to securing the city’s long-term financial position and delivering core services has led to some key changes implemented in 2024-25, including a necessary rate increase, a focus on improving efficiencies within Council’s operations, and changes to paid parking.
CBD parking changes
For the first time in 14 years, Council has increased paid parking rates in the city. Since 29 July, paid parking in the CBD area has increased from $1/hour and $6/day to $2/hour and $10/day. This increase brings us in line with similar large, regional Queensland cities like Cairns ($2.20/hour) and Toowoomba ($2.20/hour).
New paid parking sites
Townsville City Council is installing around 95 solar-powered parking meters across the city to improve the turnover of parking bays.
The goal is to encourage a steady turnover of traffic, making it easier for visitors and customers to find parking spots.
New parking meters
Monday–Sunday, 9am-5pm
The Strand (from Sir Leslie Thiess Dr to Howitt St)
Gregory St (from Eyre St to The Strand)
Mitchell St (from Leichhardt St to Stuart St)
Palmer St (from Dean St to Ross St)
Monday–Friday, 9am-5pm
Fulham Rd (from Doris Ct to Kings Rd including adjacent residential streets surrounding the medical precinct)
All other times parking is free
These changes aim to balance the needs of businesses, residents and workers while providing a sustainable approach to offsetting the cost of maintaining key community assets such as The Strand.
The new parking meters are planned to be operational from 6 January 2025
FIND OUT MORE
SERVING OUR COMMUNITY AND GROWING A
CITY FOR TOMORROW
Townsville City Council is committed to delivering projects for the community, from water security and industrial infrastructure to community leisure facilities. These investments will cultivate a thriving, connected, resilient and sustainable community and city for tomorrow.
Harold Phillips Park
AFL
Field and Skate Park
Funding: DTIS & TCC
Investment: $3.87M Jobs: 40
Status: Underway
New skate park and AFL sports field with irrigation.
Riverway Lagoons Safety Upgrades
Funding: TCC
Investment: $1.4M Jobs: 15
Status: Underway
Installation of new fencing around both lagoon pools and lifeguard towers to increase public safety.
Meenan Street Road
Reconstruction
Funding: TIDS & TCC
Investment: $400,000 Jobs: 7
Status: Completed November 2023
Road reconstruction from Halifax Street to Sunderland Street.
Boulder Protection Program
Funding: TCC
Investment: $2.07M Jobs: 30
Status: Completed July 2024
Boulders have been installed at Wulguru Park, Greenwood Park, Lakeside Park, Victoria Park, Cutheringa Park, Jabiru Park, Aitkenvale Park, Burt Street Sports Field and Toomulla Camping
Ground, for protection from vehicle damage and improved safety for the community.
Sewage Pump Station Pipework Renewals
Funding: TCC
Investment: $1.5M Jobs: 9
Status: Completed June 2024
Pipework renewals for eleven (11) pump stations around Townsville.
Ross River Dam to Douglas Water Treatment Plant Pipeline Renewal
Funding: TCC, TMR, QG
Investment: $60M Jobs: 150
Status: Completed June 2024
Council delivered the new Ross River Dam to Douglas Water Treatment Plant pipeline renewal project, a key water infrastructure asset essential to Townsville’s water supply which provides 85% of the city’s water. The new pipeline has further enhanced Townsville’s water security
Marabou Park Playground Renewal and Disc Golf Course
Funding: LRCI & Insurance
Investment: $760,000 Jobs: 15
Status: Completed May 2024
New disc golf course, replacement of playground, barbeque facilities and upgraded security features.
Picnic Bay Bypass Water Main
Funding: TCC
Investment: $3.2M
Status: Completed January 2024
Construction of a 940 metre long, 375mm diameter potable water main along West Point Road and Yule Street to improve reliability and risk management of the water supply system on Magnetic Island. This project ensures long-term water security for the island.
Council continues to service the community with these essential works. Here are just a few of the many works completed across the city in the last 12 months.
Bahr Court, Heatley – Roadworks
Funding: TCC
Baxter Street, West End –Roadworks
Funding: TCC
Bronze Street, Alice River – Road resurfacing
Funding: TCC, R2R
Castlemaine Street, Kirwan –Road renewal
Funding: TCC, LRCI
Castle Hill Bushfire Management
Pipeline
Funding: AG
Charters Towers Road and Ross River Road – Footpath and road renewal
Funding: TCC
Chelsea Drive, Condon – Open drain repairs
Funding: TCC
Chenoweth Road, Woodstock –Road resurfacing
Funding: TCC
Cleveland Terrace, North Ward –Road resurfacing
Funding: TCC
Cradler Court & Mawson
Street, Bluewater Park – Road resurfacing
Funding: TCC
Cungulla Foreshore – Coastal recovery works
Funding: TCC
Dean Street, South Townsville –Water main replacement
Funding: TCC
Fisherman's Landing, Balgal Beach – Car park
Funding: TCC
Flood Intelligence
Augmentation, various locations
Funding: TCC, QRA
Fulham Road, Vincent – Minor infrastructure renewal
Funding: LRCI
Gilbert Crescent, Castle Hill –Road resurfacing
Funding: TCC
Glendale Drive, Annandale –Roadworks
Funding: TCC
Glenrowan Drive, Oak Valley –Road resurfacing
Funding: TCC
Hazelwood Court, Annandale –Road resurfacing
Funding: TCC
Heatley Park, Fulham Road –Pathway works
Funding: TCC
Horseshoe Bay, Magnetic Island –Coastal management works
Funding: TCC
Ingham Road, Garbutt –Roadworks
Funding: TCC
Ingham Road, Garbutt – Water main replacement
Funding: TCC
Leichhardt Street, North Ward –Minor infrastructure renewal
Old Common Road, Belgian Gardens – Road resurfacing
Funding: TCC
Pallarenda and Rowes Bay
Foreshore – Coastal recovery works
Funding: TCC
Rehabilitation of over 150 gravity sewer mains, various locations
Funding: TCC
Round Mountain Road, Pinnacles – Road resurfacing
Funding: R2R
Saunders Beach Road, Saunders Beach – Drainage works
Funding: TCC
Sturt Street Cutting, Townsville –Rockface stabilisation
Funding: TCC
Townsville Route Expansion Project, various locations – Bus stops
Funding: Translink
Wave Hill Drive (to McArthur Drive), Annandale – Roadworks and drainage works
Funding: TCC, R2R
THE PERCIVALS 2024 ON DISPLAY
Perc Tucker Regional Gallery’s biennial arts competition, The Percivals, returned in 2024, with the exhibition continuing until 1 September.
The esteemed competition welcomed hundreds of entries from local, national and international artists, across categories of portrait painting, photographic portrait and animal portrait.
The winners claimed their share of $53,000 worth of prize money.
The finalists’ works are exhibited at Perc Tucker Regional Gallery until 1 September 2024.
Seabastion Toast
How the Light Gets In 2023
Portrait of Karlee Rawkins
Oil on canvas
181 x 121 cm
Image courtesy of the artist.
Percival Portrait Painting Prize Winner 2024
Danish Quapoor screening test 2024
Portrait of Noah Guthrie
Archival digital photographic pigment print on Hahnemühle photo rag
56 x 80 cm
Image courtesy of the artist.
Percival Photographic Portrait Prize 2024
Elissa Sampson
Doug (detail), 2022
Portrait of Doug
Graphite on Fabriano
Artistico HP
30 x 22 cm
Image courtesy of the artist.
Percival Animal
Portrait Prize 2024
Geordie Williamson
Daphne (detail), 2023
Portrait of Daphne
Coloured pencil on watercolour paper
42 x 29.7 cm
Image courtesy of the artist.
Percival Animal Portrait Judge’s Award 2024
ARE YOU A RESPONSIBLE PET OWNER?
Your pet is an important part of your family. It’s a big responsibility to make sure your animal is cared for, safe and socialised.
Dogs are the most common pet in Townsville, and there are some simple things to keep in mind so that your pup is out of trouble and your neighbours are happy.
• Make sure your dog is properly fenced in at home
• Keep them on a lead when you are out
• Stop them from roaming or being aggressive
• Pick up any litter left by them in public
• Provide a cool and shady area in your backyard
• Always top up cool, clean water at all times
• Make sure they are registered and identified so they can be rescued
• Make sure your contact details are up to date with Council
Read more at our website or download the responsible pet brochure.
TIPS FOR A TOP BIN COLLECTION
Council’s regular kerbside bin collections play an important role in our community, as well keeping your household on track.
Occasionally your regular collections can be impacted by things outside of our control like road closures, access issues or equipment breakdowns. Most of the time though, a few simple steps when putting your bin out can help us keep collections running smoothly.
Place your bin out before 6am on your collection day. Too early? You can put them out the night before!
Bins must be placed 0.5 metres apart.
Place your bins at least 1 metre away from other objects such as cars, fences, letterboxes, trees and obstructions. Obstructed bins cannot be collected.
Place your bin facing the road, with the wheels closest to your property
Place bins as close to kerbside as possible and not on the road.
Do not overload your bin (max weight 50kg) or our trucks can’t lift it!
Have the bin lid closed flat, do not overfill. Place the correct waste in each bin, if drivers identify contamination, bins cannot be serviced.
Bag any green waste before placing in bin (such as grass clippings or leaf matter).
Place green waste in the waste bin (red lid), it is not recyclable.
Avoid compacting waste into the bin, which could result in the bin being half emptied.
Give us space when we are collecting your bins, stay clear of the truck
If your bin isn’t collected on its usual day, check Council’s facebook page or phone us on 13 48 10.
Songs & Stories of Australia
Karen Knowles Enterprises Pty Ltd
30 August
In her most personal show yet Karen Knowles presents Songs & Stories of Australia - a concert celebrating the Australian music that we’ve grown to love - songs from artists such as Judith Durham, Olivia Newton John and Archie Roach and featuring many other much loved songs that connect us to this amazing land we call home.
THEATRE SEASON
THE FLYING ORCHESTRA
Queensland Symphony Orchestra 27 September
Have you ever wanted to experience a symphony orchestra live? This is your opportunity to get up close to the music, as Queensland Symphony Orchestra comes to Townsville Civic Theatre!
PART OF NAFA
BROAD
Geraldine Quinn
31 August
BROAD is a spandex-busting hour of acclaimed songwriting, show-stopping vocals, belly laughs, and defiance, wrapped up in royal-blue sequins and gold stack heels. Crowds were left buoyed and dazzled by this latest original cabaret from musical comedian Geraldine Quinn (Spicks & Specks).
THEATRE SEASON
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO ARTS AND CULTURE IN TOWNSVILLE
THE PERCIVALS
Until 1 September
Perc Tucker Regional Gallery
Marco Pennacchia, Reverie [detail] 2024
Oil on canvas, 181 x 121 cm
Finalist in the Percival Portrait Painting Prize 2024.
Christopher Toso
69TH TOWNSVILLE ART SOCIETY ART AWARDS
14 September – 6 October
Perc Tucker Regional Gallery
Carole Howlett
SEVEN + SEVEN: PRINTMAKING ACROSS UNKNOWN TERRAIN
Until 15 September
Pinnacles Gallery
TRANSITIONS
Judy Watson experimental beds 3, 2012
3-plate etching with chine collé 81 x 67.3 cm framed
Warner
14 September – 13 October
Perc Tucker Regional Gallery
Curtain closed [detail], 2023
Oil on canvas, 64 x 78 cm
Townsville City Council Open Award Winner
68th Townsville Art Society Art Awards, 2023
Transitions mentees presenting and discussing their works-in-progress at the group critique session at Umbrella, amidst artwork by Odessa Mahony-de Vries.
Rikaela Rusch
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