Townsville Stadium deal just the start

Townsville Stadium deal just the startCommitments from both sides of politics to a new stadium in the North Queensland regional city of Townsville could provide more than just a new home ground for the North Queensland Cowboys.Both major parties have now committed to investing $100 million in partnership with the Queensland Government in a new stadium, entertainment venue and headquarters for the Cowboys.If re-elected, the Turnbull Government has also promised to partner with the Queensland Government and Townsville City Council to make Townsville the first city in Australia to be recognised in a ‘City Deal’ under its Smart Cities Plan.”This investment must become the urban renewal game-changer the city has been crying out for,” says Chris Mountford, Queensland executive director of the Property CouncilHe says that, while much of the focus has been on a new home ground for the premiership-winning Cowboys, the real opportunity lies in ensuring this investment is the catalyst that sparks the revitalisation of the Townsville CBD and waterfront.”The Property Council recently led a delegation of Townsville political and business leaders on a study tour of Newcastle to look at their success in leveraging government investment into multiples of private investment.”The Newcastle experience provides a roadmap for Townsville to follow as it looks to convert the now universal political commitment to a new stadium into an urban renewal agenda for the city.”The revitalisation of the CBD and activating the Priority Development Area in Townsville are vital ingredients in the future growth of the Townsville economy, and vibrancy of the community.”It is imperative that Townsville’s political, business and community leaders grab this opportunity to ensure that in a decade the city has more than just the stadium to show from the investment being made by government.”In this context we welcome the Turnbull Government’s plan to link its commitment to the stadium with a City Deal for Townsville.”City Deals are about bringing the three levels of government together to tackle the growth and economic challenges facing our cities – this is exactly what Townsville needs,” Mountford says.