City Update November 2014

november 2014

City UpdateThe latest events, news, reports and happenings in your city

last minute dash for mayor’s christmas tree appeal – donate now

living in the north – everything you need to know about our summer

experience it live – What’s happening in 2015

With tough economic conditions the Council is playing an even bigger part in supporting our local economy and helping to generate and sustain employment.

My council has paid close attention to these conditions over the past year and recognises its role as both a major employer and economic generator for the city.

We’ve shown leadership in hard times by handing down a 2014/15 council budget of $575 million including a Capital works program totalling $190.4 million and a maintenance program of $106.5 million.

This investment supports local businesses and jobs, and helps re-establish the confidence needed to grow Townsville.

Supporting our local economy starts in our own backyard and a significant amount of these projects

will require the engagement of local industry, manufacturers and contractors.

But this is only part of the picture.

The council is also working in partnership with Townsville Enterprise Ltd and the Townsville Chamber of Commerce to lobby for $350 million in local infrastructure projects in the lead up to the state election due in early 2015.

These projects include the stadium and entertainment centre, the Ross Creek Walkways Project, the Townsville State Priority Development Area and sports infrastructure upgrades across the city. All of these proposals are important for the city’s future and the generation of new jobs at a time when we need them most.

On a lighter note, our city heads into a time of great celebrations with T150 events kicking off from next year. This is led by the announcement of the winner of our Townsville 150 logo design competition at this

year’s Carols by Candlelight, which will again be held under the Supertent at Reid Park.

Join us on Saturday 6 December from 5.30pm for a night of local talent and entertainment led by superstar Kate Ceberano.

Purchase your safe flame candle at the event for $3 and support the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Appeal, which aims to raise $100,000 to support over 2000 local families.

I would like to thank all the members of our community who guide and assist us during the year - your contribution to our city makes it a great place to be.

Enjoy a safe and happy Christmas.

Cr Jenny [email protected]

Contacting your Councillors

Achieving Our Vision ‘Townsville - vibrant, progressive and a great lifestyle’

In the past five years we have partnered with the community to deliver the outcomes of our 2009-2014 Corporate Plan.

We’ve increased productivity and growth amid many challenges and provided the community with vast opportunities and a great lifestyle.

Our new 2014-2019 Corporate Plan sets our direction for the next five years with the vision of ‘Townsville, Capital of Northern Australia: the City with Opportunity and Great Lifestyle’.

We are committed to delivering quality services to achieve sustainable growth through inspired leadership, community engagement and sound financial management.

Highlights of our success in the last five years can be viewed on our website in ‘publications’.

Safe Flame Candles

Purchase your safe flame candle for $3 at Carols by Candlelight on Saturday 6 December and support the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Appeal. All funds raised from the sale of safe flame candles will go directly to the appeal. Want to donate more? Place gifts or non-perishable food items into the collection bins at council’s Customer Service Centres or donate online at our website.

Townsville 150 Update

In February 2016, Townsville will kick start a year-long celebration marking 150 years since being

declared a municipality.

Our city will play host to over 150 community-led festivals, events, concerts, exhibitions and activities to explore our community’s rich heritage.

Whether you’re a fifth generation local, or breeze through every winter to make the most of our weather, we want you to get involved.

Keep an eye out for upcoming events by following us on Facebook and Twitter and checking out our website. Come along to Carols by Candlelight on Saturday 6 December to find out whose winning logo entry will become the official emblem of Townsville’s 150th Anniversary celebrations.

cityinformation

For more information go to

www.townsville.qld.gov.au

From the Mayor

CR VERN VEITCH Deputy Mayor E [email protected] 0418 729 496division 3Smart City Sustainable Future Committee Chair

CR SUZANNE BLOM E [email protected] 0427 300 364division 1Community and Culture Committee Chair

CR JENNY LANE E [email protected] 0417 726 699division 4Governance and Finance Committee Chair

CR TONY PARSONS E [email protected] 0419 642 265division 2Planning and Development Committee Chair

CR PAT ERNST E [email protected] 0418 279 351division 5Sport, Recreation and Parks Committee Chair

CR TREVOR ROBERTS E [email protected] 0488 426 074division 6Infrastructure Committee Chair

CR RAY GARTRELL E [email protected] 0447 185 772division 8Townsville Waste and Water Committee Chair

CR GARY EDDIEHAUSEN APM E [email protected] 0418 262 786division 7Healthy and Safe City Committee Chair

CR COLLEEN DOYLE E [email protected] 0418 273 817

division 9

CR LES WALKER E [email protected] 0418 315 705

division 10

follow council online >> Townsville Ticketshop Townsville City Council Events Townsville Disaster Information Perc Tucker Regional Gallery Pinnacles Gallery CityLibraries Townsville @TCC_News @TownsvilleLib @TCC_PercTucker @TCC_Pinnacles

SPOTLIGHTon Townsville

2 TOWNSVILLE CITY COUNCIL CITY UPDATE >> NOVEMBER 2014

first st

reid park pit complex

train park

townsville state high

school

townsville civic theatre

reserved for theatre patrons

and disabled patrons only

townsville railway station

chinese club

no public parking

staff and suppliers

parking onlyno exit until after road

closure

emergency evacuation

area 2little reid

parktownsville state high

school oval

carpark 1

dean street carpark

free shuttle bus

event site

lou litster park

carpark 2

flow

ers

stsecond ave

bro

die

st

first ave

boundary st

char

ters

to

wer

s rd

rail

way

ave

sau

nd

ers

st

emergency evacuation

area 1

dea

n s

trooney st

parking and traffic informationPaid public parking – Townsville State High School Oval and Lou Litster Park >> $5 per park

Free public parking – Dean St carpark. Free shuttle bus to Townsville Railway Station every 15 mins from 4.30pm

Disabled Parking

Event Entry

Bus and taxi drop-off and pick-up zone at Townsville Railway Station

Pedestrian crossing

Suggested walking path

Getting to Carolspublic transport>> Public transport is the recommended option. >> The bus drop-off and pick-up zone will be

located at the Townsville Railway Station.

taxis>> The taxi drop-off and pick-up zone will be

located at the Townsville Railway Station. >> Taxis can be contacted on 131 008 (13TAXI)

or tsvtaxi.com.au.

free parking >> Free parking will be available at the Dean

Street Carpark. >> A shuttle bus will be running free services

from Dean Street Carpark to Townsville Railway Station every 15 minutes from 4.30pm.

paid parking >> Paid parking sites will be available at Lou

Litster Park and Townsville State High School oval. $5 per vehicle (funds go to Town High Parents & Carers Association).

>> Entry into Lou Litster Park will be through Brodie Street.

>> Entry into Townsville State High School Oval will be through Boundary Street only.

disability parking >> Disability parking will be available for free at

the Townsville Civic Theatre carpark.

no parking>> Townsville Civic Theatre (reserved for

theatre patrons and disabled patrons only).>> Chinese Club carpark, opposite Pitt Lane

Building (reserved for suppliers and staff only).

pedestrian crossing>> Two pedestrian crossings will be operating on

Boundary Street from 4pm – 9pm.

Road Closure>> From 8.45pm Boundary Street between

Railway Avenue and Charters Towers Road will be closed to through traffic. Patrons parked within this zone will be directed by traffic controllers upon exit.

A magical night of Carols and entertainment under the Supertent

Saturday 6 December, 5.30pm – 9pmfree entry

Kate Ceberano

Tips for Carols>> Food: Food and beverage stalls will be available

onsite. Patrons can also bring their own food and drinks. No glass or alcohol is permitted.

>> Seating: Take a picnic rug and find a great spot on the grass under the Supertent.

>> Safe-flame candles: Available on site for a $3 donation with proceeds going to the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Appeal.

>> Gifts: The Mayor’s Christmas Tree Appeal will gladly accept any gift donations at Santa’s tent.

>> Cash: Bring change for candles, food and drink.

program>> Grab your free program in the Townsville

Bulletin on 6 December, or on the night.

Star Attraction KateCeberano

accommodation bymedia partners sponsor

Queens Park Irrigation

Queens Park in North Ward is getting a major overhaul of its underground irrigation systems. The current system is over 40 years old and the upgrade will see water consumption at the park reduced by 10 percent.

A new pump and tank system was installed last month, with work to the underground system to start in December. The project is expected to finish in March 2015, weather permitting.

Charles Moroney Park Dog-Off Leash AreaResidents in the Upper Ross will soon be able to enjoy a new dog off-leash park.

A fully fenced dog park is being established at Kelso’s Charles Moroney District Recreation Park, and will include double gate access, seating, rubbish bins, dog faeces bag dispensers, water bubblers and dog bowls.

The proposed site for the off-leash area is the grassed area between the current basketball courts and cricket net. It’s expected to be ready for use in 2015.

Magnetic Island Tip

Construction on Magnetic Island’s Waste Transfer Station is about to begin and is due for completion in late 2015. Associated road widening works on West Point Road are already well underway. The Waste Transfer Station will replace the current Picnic Bay Landfill which is approaching its ultimate capacity and is due to close over the next few years.

Townsville City Plan APPROVED

The new planning scheme to shape Townsville’s growth over the next 25 years was formally approved by Council on 13 October 2014, and will help guide our city’s evolution into one of the most exciting regional centres in the country.

The plan officially commenced on 27 October 2014 and sets out a considered blueprint for managing balanced and sustainable growth in the city.

Specifically, the plan focuses on reducing urban sprawl and the costs of population growth through a smart growth strategy to promote development in

existing urban areas with existing vital infrastructure like roads and services.

A core aim through the plan is to guide how major activity centres like the CBD, North Ward, Hyde Park, Aitkenvale, and Thuringowa Central will evolve and will help to advocate for a stronger public transport networks.

Importantly, Townsville will now have the opportunity to evolve into a major metropolitan city through a simpler, faster and more certain development assessment process.

The plan is the city’s first electronic planning scheme (e-scheme) and will provide the development industry and residents with access to detailed information and planning services on-line.

For more information on the Townsville City Plan please visit councils website.

CBD Utilities Upgrade

The $43 million CBD Utilities Upgrade project to renew water storage and underground water infrastructure in the CBD is underway.

Design work led by consultants GHD will firstly focus on developing the design and construction of a new water reservoir at Echlin Street.

“A storage capacity assessment for Echlin Street Reservoir is being done to cater for the projected population growth in the CBD,” said Simon Ormes, Senior Project Manager with council’s Major Projects Division.

“This assessment will guide the design and work packages for site preparation and construction, which are due for release in January 2015.”

In the months ahead, the following activities will be completed:

>> Geotechnical, survey and services investigation for Echlin Street reservoir site.

>> Confirmation of layout for water storage at the Echlin Street reservoir site.

>> Preliminary design for reservoir site including tank and access road

>> Confirmation of route and sizing for The Strand sewer raising main

>> Final preliminary design of utility upgrades.

councilworks

Mayor Jenny Hill inspects plans for the CBD Utilities Upgrade with Council’s Project Manager Simon Ormes and GHD’s North Queensland Manager Jose Foruria.


prepare your homefor cyclone season >>To help protect your home and loved ones during cyclones take steps to keep your property in good condition. Remember to:

>> Check for signs of corrosion around the house, particularly inside the roof space.

>> Check for rotten timber that may need replacing.

>> Clean gutters and downpipes and remove debris so water can drain away.

>> Trim trees and overhanging branches around the house.

>> Find out how to turn off mains power supply for gas, water and electricity.

>> Purchase emergency supplies such as masking tape, tarpaulins, sandbags and water containers.

>> Make sure your insurance for home, contents and vehicles is up to date and that it covers your possessions adequately.

>> Make copies of your important documents (i.e. Birth/Death/Marriage Certificates, insurance policies, passports etc.) and include in your Emergency Kit.

Council assists residents with the storage of important documents and photos. CityLibraries now have document scanning stations:

>> Visit any CityLibraries Townsville branch with your important documents.

>> Receive a free 4GB USB (includes local disaster information). Limit of 1 per family.

>> Copy and download your documents and/or photos to the USB. The library staff can assist if required.

prepare for cyclones andprepare an emergency kit >>

Battery-operated radio

Spare batteries

First aid kit

Torch

Non-perishable food

Clothes

Medicine

Important documents

Water

Pet food

Can opener & utensils

Personal hygiene items

Insect repellent

Money

If you lose access to power and running water, become stuck in your home or have to evacuate, an emergency kit is vital to help you and your family be self-sufficient for at least three days. Above is a basic checklist of MUST HAVE items for your Emergency Kit.

For a full list visit www.townsville.qld.gov.au.

cleaning up around your home helps you prepare for cyclones.

Get Ready Townsvilleyour guide to living in north queensland


Townsville is a beautiful place to live but there is a potential risk for natural disasters, tropical diseases, stingers and higher rates of skin cancer during the summer. It pays to be prepared.

It’s time to get ready, townsville.

grab your complete 'get ready townsville guide' from townsville city council's customer service centres.

sun safety, stinger safety and lifeguards

dengue prevention

mosquitoes

bushfires

shelters, evacuations and pets

wet season

state emergency service

tune into warnings

emergency alerts

storm tide evacuation guide

preparing your home

emergency kit checklist

emergency contacts

Get Ready Townsvilleyour guide to living in north queensland


TOWNSVILLE CITY COUNCIL CITY UPDATE >> NOVEMBER 2014 5

storm tideevacuation guide >>The Storm Tide Evacuation Guide will assist you in determining if your property is at risk of inundation from a storm tide and whether evacuation is required. If you are not required to evacuate, your home is often the safest place for you.

As a local resident, council recommends that you:1. Review the Storm Tide Evacuation Guide

on council’s website to determine if your property is located in an evacuation zone. Maps on the website are listed by suburb and can be viewed at street level, or

2. Pick up a copy of the Storm Tide Evacuation Guide and coloured zone stickers from one of council’s Customer Service Centres (for detailed mapping please refer to the website).

3. Consider the tips contained in the guide for preparing a household emergency plan and emergency kit.

4. Familiarise yourself with the local emergency contact details and radio station information.

If your residence is located in a coloured evacuation zone, your property may be inundated in a storm tide event. The height of the predicted storm tide during the disaster event will determine which zones will be affected.

Evacuation Zones

evacuation zone risk of inundation

Red Extreme

Orange High

Yellow Medium

Blue Low

Authorities will advise evacuations by the shown zones, NOT streets or suburbs. This year be prepared, know your evacuation zone.

Pick up your coloured zone identification stickers from council’s Customer Service Centres.

know your storm tide zone.

BLUE

EVACUATION ZONE

YOUR PROPERTY IS IN THE

BLUE EVACUATION ZONE.

Your property may be at risk from

storm tide flooding during cyclones.

Identify your evacuation route to your

pre-determined safe location.

During a cyclone event tune into

warnings, authorities will advise

which zones need to evacuate.

For further information on evacuations

visit www.townsville.qld.gov.au

YELLOW

EVACUATION ZONE


YELLOW EVACUATION ZONE.










ORANGE EVACUATION ZONEYOUR PROPERTY IS IN THE

ORANGE EVACUATION ZONE.










RED EVACUATION ZONE


RED EVACUATION ZONE.










shelters andevacuations >>Prior to each cyclone season, Townsville residents need to develop a Household Emergency Plan that includes evacuation and shelter considerations based on their circumstances and exposure to risk. Follow these key steps to determine your best sheltering option in the event of a cyclone:

1. What is your risk?>> Consider the location of your home.

>> Consider the construction and condition of your home, caravan or temporary dwelling.

>> Consider your needs. Do you live alone, have pets or have special needs?

2. Consider your shelter options:>> Shelter in place – If you live in a well-

constructed home located outside of a Storm Tide Evacuation Zone, your best option is to shelter in your home.

>> Evacuate to shelter in a safer place – Prearrange your evacuation with friends or family first, consider shelter options in your community as a last resort.

please note >> Shelters such as Places of Refuge or Cyclone Shelters are intended as short-term options, have very basic amenities and limited capacity.

stayafloat >>Townsville is built on a natural flood plain and sometimes experiences localised flooding.

Be flood safe>> Don’t drink flood waters.

>> Don’t drive around barricades or through flooded roads.

>> Don’t swim or play in flood waters.

>> Don’t play in stormwater drains.

plan. prepare. survive.

Shelter and evacuation options in Townsville

get ready townsville


your guide to living in north queensland

denguedo your weekly yard check >>Are you making dengue mossies welcome around your home? Take responsibility to protect yourself and your family by checking your yard for anything that can hold water.

Where do mosquitoes breed?

Check potential breeding sites weekly, including:

1 Bird bath

2 Palm frond

3 Sump pit

4 Bucket

5 Boat

6 Bromeliad

7 Tyre

8 Toys

9 Pot plants

10 Roof gutter

11 Water tank

1

62

3

4

97

10

11

5

8

pool safetyswimming pools and spas >> are you breeding mosquitoes?Neglected or poorly maintained swimming pools and spa pools are an ideal environment for mosquitoes to breed. When the pool’s chemical parameters are not maintained at the minimum required levels and/or the filtration system is not functioning correctly, the pool becomes a public health risk.

Mosquitoes require standing water to breed so pool water becomes an attractive water source for the female mosquito to lay eggs. Once these eggs hatch, the larvae can develop into biting adult mosquitoes within 4–7 days.

It is your responsibility as a tenant or property owner to maintain the pool so that it does not become a breeding site for mosquitoes. Mosquitoes can carry several different mosquito borne diseases, in particular Ross River Virus and Dengue Fever.

The Public Health Regulation 2005 requires that a person must ensure that an accumulation of

water or liquid at the place is not a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Neglect to do this and you could face a fine.

To prevent mosquitoes from breeding in your pool simply:>> regularly treat your pool with chemicals

>> thoroughly clean and operate the filtration system as per manufacturers recommendations

sunsafety >>With over 300 days of sunshine ever year, Townsville is a great place to live. It is important to remember however these safety tips when enjoying Townsville’s great outdoor facilities and swimming venues.

Sun Safety>> Wear a long sleeve shirt

>> Wide brim hat

>> Sunglasses

>> Re-apply sunscreen, and

>> Drink plenty of water.

It only takes six minutes to burn, avoid the sun between 10am and 3pm when UV levels are extreme.

stingersafety >>

November to May is Stinger Season:>> Look for and observe warning signs

>> Swim in swimming enclosures along coastal regions

>> Do not swim when nets are closed

>> Wear a full body length lycra swimming suit or wetsuit during the stinger season. This device can reduce your chances of being stung by a jellyfish by well over 75 percent

>> Refrain from swimming at night

>> Dogs are not allowed in the stinger net enclosures so please refrain from swimming or wading dogs within the vicinity, and

>> Do not jump or play on stinger nets.

plan. prepare. survive.


townsvilleemergency contacts >>

service number

All Emergency Calls 000

Townsville City Council Emergency After Hours, Flooding information, Dengue outbreaks, Sun safety information

1300 878 001

Townsville Local Disaster Management Group Local Disaster Coordination Centre (only during declared emergencies)

1800 738 541

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services 000

Townsville State Emergency Service (SES) Tarping/Branches Down

13 25 00

Queensland Police Service

Police Link (Non life-threatening calls)

000

13 14 44

Queensland Ambulance Service (Non life-threatening calls)

13 12 33

Ergon Energy

Loss of supply and emergencies

13 22 96

13 16 70

Origin Energy Natural gas and LP gas emergencies - leaks only

1800 808 526

service number

Telstra 13 22 03

Optus 13 13 44

Townsville Hospital and Health Service 07 4433 1111

Department of Transport and Main Roads (Road Closures)

13 19 40

Translating and Interpreting Service 13 14 50

stayconnected >>Stay connected prior to, during and after a cyclone event by connecting with Townsville City Council through Facebook, Twitter and the web.

Townsville Disaster Information Facebook Your official information source

from the Townsville Local Disaster Management Group.

TCC_news


www.disaster.qld.gov.au

www.getready.qld.gov.au

get ready townsville

have your saytownsville’s flood risk

As the wet season approaches, council needs your help to prepare the Floodplain Management Strategy. We are working hard to build community resilience to flooding by guiding land use planning, development controls, emergency management measures, infrastructure provision and management as well as community programs.

We’ve put together a community survey to gather information to help prepare the Floodplain Management Strategy. This information will help us identify options for managing Townsville’s flood risks, understand the community’s resilience to floods and guide analysis of options for managing Townsville’s flood risk.

To have your say on flooding in Townsville, visit the Floodplain Management Strategy Survey on the consultation page at www.townsville.qld.gov.au. Survey closes 24 December.

mobile mappingsurvey project

A city-wide mobile mapping and floor level survey project is underway for areas of Townsville between Bluewater and Alligator creek.

This latest project will result in a digital 3D model that shows the city’s buildings and environmental areas including all business, industrial and residential properties, apartment complexes and houses.

The project has been put in place to help develop the Floodplain Management Strategy. The survey project will identify the flooding risk on the floor levels of all buildings and help to guide the planning, infrastructure and emergency response to the flood hazard.

This 3D model will have many benefits including asset mapping, visual impact assessment, shade analysis and solar potential analysis. The survey is being conducted by a clearly marked vehicle travelling each accessible street in Townsville, and is fitted with scanning equipment (similar to ones used in aerial surveys), flashing safety lights to let other motor vehicle drivers know that data is being captured, and uses 6m clearance to ensure data is accurate.

The survey will occur during daylight hours in September, October and November by survey contractor Schlencker Mapping, which has been appointed by council.

Townsville is built on a natural floodplain of the Ross and Bohle Rivers. Flooding here is caused by heavy rain passing through every wet season (November to March). This commonly results in local flooding in streets, front yards and in extreme cases, some homes.


Get crafty – reuse plastic bottles, jars, cards and wrapping paper to make attractive candle holders, vases and planters for flowers, herbs and veggies.

Helpful Hints for Christmas>> Never bag your recyclables – plastic

bags are not recyclable.>> Wrapping paper is great for

cleaning windows, leaving them streak free.

>> De-clutter the toy cupboard in time for Christmas – hold a garage sale or donate to a charity.

Rejuvenated Eco-Space Available for community use

The Eco-Active Centre at Riverway has just been renovated and is available for hire by the public from early 2015. The centre overlooks the Ross River and is a hop, skip and a jump from the swimming lagoons. As well as public hire, the centre will be used as an interactive classroom for our ‘Creek to Coral’ tours. These tours provide a ‘hands-on’ experience of the catchment area, and the centre is an ideal reflection space, linking our coral reef, rainforest, wetlands and savannah.

The Eco-Active Centre is one of council’s many eco-tourism sites and is unique because it demonstrates how buildings can complement nature. The centre is positioned to capture the river breeze and has a white canopy to keep you cool just like you were standing under a tree.

Interested in booking the centre? Want to know more about our Creek to Coral Eco-Education program? Contact our Customer Service Centre on 1300 878 001.

Great gift ideas for Christmasthat help you save, reduce and reuse this silly season!

Grab the new Summer Hot Pocket!

The Summer Hot Pocket is your one-stop guide to low and no-cost school holiday fun. The free book is jam-packed with special events, workshops, activities and coupons for young people and their families in Townsville. The Hot Pocket will be hitting shelves in Customer Service Centres and CityLibraries Townsville branches from early December, with online copies available from our website.

Make your own Christmas cards from gift wrap, newspaper and magazines and save while creating a personal touch.

Give tickets to a movie or a show – a great package-free gift.

Rechargeable batteries: Great for the environment and even better on the back pocket!

6 Ways of Christmas‘Tis the season to recycle

Look for gifts with a minimal amount of packaging like movie tickets or gift vouchers. Or make the packaging part of the gift, perhaps a bottle of wine with a chiller bag.

1ADMIT

ADMIT

Collect recyclables with a re-usable tub or cardboard box in the post festivity clean up. NEVER bag your recyclables! Thin plastic bags damage the sorting machines.

3

Flatten recycling such as aluminium cans, cartons and cardboard boxes to save space in your recycling bin and the collection truck.

2

A garden composter makes a great Christmas gift and can be used to recycle food scraps after your Christmas feast.

4

Christmas is a great time of year to clean out the toy cupboard. Recycle by having a garage sale or donating to charitable organisations.

6

Extend your waste service or upgrade your recycle bin. Call customer service for more info 1300 878 001.

5

This season is a great time to think about upgrading your recycling bin – do this by calling our Customer Service Centre on 1300 878 001. Charges apply.

ACTIVE UPDATEKeep your finger on the pulse with the latest news in sport, fitness and recreation in our city. Active Update – Live the Life will keep you up-to-date with events, sport and recreation, free events, tips on keeping

safe, health, exercise and fitness.

Visit the Active Update sign up page on our website to receive the latest news directly to your inbox.

Improve your outlook and get active outdoors! The new Active Travel Townsville guide allows you to plan your next walk, run, jog, bike, scooter or skateboard ride around our beautiful city.

With over 300 days of sunshine a year, there are lots of reasons to make the most of getting out into the great outdoors. Active travel outdoors improves your health and social networks, reduces air pollution, traffic congestion and fuel costs – just to name a few.

Want to challenge yourself with a new walking track on Castle Hill or plan a long ride along the Ross River? The Active Travel guide is easy to use and pocket-size, so you can take it with you on your walk, run or ride.

With the quick reference map you can easily locate the area you’re interested in travelling through, with bike lanes, shared paths, unmarked footpaths, parks, facilities and land marks clearly identified.

Pick up a copy of the Active Travel Townsville guide at our Customer Service Centres or CityLibraries or online at www.townsville.qld.gov.au and start planning your next outdoor adventure.

City Backdate

On 9 August 1982 we lost an historic and much-loved pub when the 80-year-old Buchanan’s Hotel in Sturt Street was destroyed by fire.

The three-storey hotel, built in 1903 for £12000, replaced the Prince of Wales Hotel, which, coincidentally, was also lost to fire in 1902. Buchanan’s became part of WWII history when it was taken over by American forces and hosted a future President, Lyndon Baines Johnson.

This photograph was taken in 1966 when LBJ revisited Buchanan’s while on a tour of Australia.

Visit the CityLibraries Townsville Facebook page for more great snaps and facts on Townsville’s history.

communitylearning

Go on an adventure with CityLibraries

Summer Reading Club

Are you ready for an adventure? Children across the city are invited to explore forgotten

worlds, dodge danger, outwit crafty villains and win some great prizes as part of the Summer Reading Club.

Children from 0-16 will discover and enjoy stories and activities that intrigue, puzzle, thrill and excite!

The program runs from Monday 1 December 2014 to Wednesday 28 January 2015, and is a partnership with the State Library of Queensland and the Australian Library and Information Association. Keep an eye on council’s website for more information on getting involved.

Start your ACTIVE TRAVEL TOWNSVILLE

SIGN UP

Cool down at Council’s FREE SWIM DAY

9am–3pm Sunday 14 DecemberCool off this December with a day at one of Townsville’s public pools. Entry to Tobruk Memorial Baths, Kokoda Memorial Pool, Long Tan Memorial Pool and the Northern Beaches Leisure Centre will be FREE for all to enjoy from 9am–3pm on Sunday 14 December.

It’s a great opportunity to do some laps, have fun in the children’s aquatic playground, check out the facilities and learn more about swim classes available.

For more information on the city’s pools and beaches visit the ‘Facilities and Recreation’ page on our website or call 1300 878 001.


Townsville Bulletin SquareBig changes are happening in Townsville’s CBD with

the announcement of new Together Townsville partner

Townsville Bulletin for the naming rights to what will

now be known as Townsville Bulletin Square.

Townsville Bulletin Square is located on Flinders

Street next to the Holiday Inn, opposite the Cowboys

League Club.

A host of successful events have been held within

Townsville Bulletin Square in the past couple of months

including the community launches of the JCU Townsville

Fire and Townsville Crocodiles and the Mayor’s

Christmas Tree Appeal.

The partnership supports our ongoing work and vision

to reinvigorate the CBD and Flinders Street precinct and

to promote activities within our city heart.

Partnerships through Together Townsville help us

deliver more for our community – when we combine

resources the results are better programs, events and

facilities for our city.

Lewis Ramsay, General Manager – Commercial for the

Townsville Bulletin said the announcement was a proud

occasion for everyone at the newspaper.

“The Townsville Bulletin supports the efforts being

conducted by our city’s leaders to reinvigorate the CBD

precinct and we look forward to participating in a range

of programs and events to bring additional activation to

this area.”

If you are interested in hiring Townsville Bulletin Square,

please contact council’s venues team on 1300 878 001.

Christmas in the City

Discover more in the CBD… this Christmas!Christmas is just around the corner and the CBD is buzzing with excitement! Keep an eye out for a sensational community art project which will take over Flinders Street as well as plenty of entertainment and activities happening in Townsville Bulletin Square. Our retailers are overflowing with Christmas gifts and ideas, so head into the CBD now to fill your Christmas stocking with presents for all your family and friends.

Not sure where to start? Grab a copy of our Christmas in the City calendar from the following locations:

>> Customer Service Centres at Thuringowa Drive and Walker Street

>> Northtown CityLibraries branch

>> Perc Tucker Regional Gallery

>> All Flinders Street retailers

>> Customer information Centre in Northtown

>> Visitor Information Centre at Townsville Bulletin Square

Download now from www.townsville.qld.gov.au.

Sean Ryan (News Corp), Lewis Ramsay (Townsville Bulletin) with Mayor Jenny Hill for the unveiling of Townsville Bulletin Square.

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After trialling online customer service chats earlier this year with huge success, we’ve recently introduced our Click to Chat option, making it easier for you to get in touch with us!

Residents and visitors to the city can log on to council’s website and use the ‘Click to Chat’ option to speak with a local customer service representative online. All you have to do is go to our

website and click on the ‘CLICK TO CHAT’ button on the bottom left-hand side of the screen. A pop-up box will appear - simply type in your name and hit ‘start chat’ and you will be connected to one of our friendly customer service team.

‘Click to chat’ is available Monday to Friday 8am–5pm and is closed on public holidays and weekends.

2015 sees the launch of an exciting new season of theatre in Townsville, at Townsville Civic Theatre and Riverway Arts Centre.

The array of shows available to Townsville audiences includes something for everyone, and will be announced at the Experience It Live Launch at Riverway Arts Centre on 13 December, starting at 3.30pm with the Townsville Artist Markets.

Theatre Season 2015 will bring you 22 of the most diverse and engaging productions of the year. The list includes classics such as the spectacular ballet Coppelia by Queensland Ballet, and Shakespeare’s masterpiece Hamlet, produced by Bell Shakespeare Company.

2015 will be a season to engage you – laugh out loud with characters you’ll recognise in Reserved Seating Only, and be drawn into the world of WW2 fighter pilots in Michael Veitch’s Flak.

Theatre Season packages include the Full Season, the Drama Package and the Classics Package and are available from December 13 from TicketShop. Get in quick for Theatre Season 2015 passes before it’s too late!

Keep an eye out for our 2015 Children’s Theatre and Morning Melodies programs!

CONTACT COUNCIL

Townsville City Council

PO Box 1268 Townsville QLD 4810

1300 878 001 from 8am–5pm


[email protected]

103 Walker Street, Townsville City 86 Thuringowa Drive, Thuringowa Central

Operating hours 8.30am–5pm Monday to Friday

COUNCIL MEETINGS

>> 9am Tuesday 25 November

>> 9am Tuesday 16 December

STANDING COMMITTEE MEETINGS

>> Infrastructure Committee 9am Tuesday - 2 Dec

>> Planning and Development Committee 12pm Wednesday - 3 Dec

>> Community and Cultural Committee 11.30am Thursday - 4 Dec

>> Smart City Sustainable Future Committee 10am Thursday - 4 Dec

>> Sports, Recreation and Parks Committee 11am Thursday - 4 Dec

>> Healthy and Safe City Committee 9.30am Thursday - 4 Dec

>> Governance and Finance Committee 9am Tuesday - 9 Dec

>> Townsville Waste and Water Committee 11am Tuesday - 9 Dec

*A schedule for meetings in 2015 is yet to be determined and will be published in the Townsville Bulletin.

Last call for donations!

Christmas is just around the corner – how will you and your family be spending the festive season? For so many in our city, Christmas can be a lonely and isolating time of year.

We’re making a last call to the Townsville community for non-perishable food and gift donations to the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Appeal. The Appeal continues to assist thousands of local families and individuals in need by putting food on the table during the festive season. There are a number of collection points throughout the city. To view locations please visit council’s website.

Get involved – visit www.townsville.qld.gov.au or contact council on 1300 878 001.

Click to Chat Talk to us Online

Why not try it out today?

EXPERIENCE IT LIVE 2015 Theatre Season


Documents

City Update November 2014