The GEMS are here Townsville!
For the month of November we are celebrating & highlighting local icons, attractions & not-for-profits in our beautiful community.
20 Gems of the North – Check in here each day to hear the next GEM revealed!
Do you have a favourite GEM? We wanna hear from you!
You can vote for your favourite GEM below and win some sweet prizes!!!
Townsville City Council is helping you enjoy Christmas with your neighbours this festive season.
The Bringing Christmas Together initiative is all about neighbours celebrating the most wonderful time of the year with a $200 grant.
Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said it was essential for communities to connect, especially at Christmas time.
“It’s been a big year for us here in Townsville, so we want to see Christmas cheer being spread across our suburbs this December,” Cr Hill said.
“Christmas is a great time to reconnect with friends and family who might have had a rough time with the unprecedented monsoon event or who are struggling a bit financially at this time of year.”
Community and Cultural Development chairperson Councillor Colleen Doyle said the $200 grants would provide the funding needed to throw anything from intimate gatherings to a street party.
“There’s a lot of potential here for real connection between neighbours and friends, which is so important in our suburbs,” Cr Doyle said.
“We’re really excited to see the community activities across our neighbourhoods.”
The Bringing Christmas Together initiative is open to Townsville residents until 5pm on Friday 22 November.
For more information and to enter, head to www.townsville.qld.gov.au/about-townsville/christmas-together-2019
Nets are being rolled out at Townsville beaches this week to mark the start of the stinger season.
Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said protecting locals and visitors to the city was a priority for Council.
“Enjoying our great beaches is part of the North Queensland lifestyle, which is why Council makes installing stinger nets a priority as we head into summer,” Cr Hill said.
“We have a high number of visitors to Townsville in the summer months, and these nets play a vital role in protecting everyone who wants to enjoy our beaches from stingers.
“Council installs six nets across the city to make sure locals and visitors can make the most of summer while staying safe.”
Community Health and Environment Committee Chair Cr Ann-Maree Greaney said it was important to remember that stinger nets weren’t a silver bullet for swim safety.
“The nets offer a high level of protection, but they can’t stop every sting,” Cr Greaney said.
“Swimmers should take other precautions like wearing a stinger suit and keeping a close eye on kids.”
For more information about stinger net locations and lifeguard patrols, visit http://bit.ly/2Ja7hIF.
Net installation
Tuesday, 29 October: Balgal Beach
Wednesday, 30 October: Magnetic Island
Thursday, 31 October: Strand
Friday, 1 November: Pallarenda
The redevelopment of the Tobruk Memorial Baths on The Strand has achieved another important milestone with earthworks for the replacement 50 metre pool complete and forming-up now underway.
Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said contractors working on the project were now also working to remove the existing toddler pool, which was also being replaced as part of the $11.3 million project.
“The redeveloped baths will feature a new, wider 50 metre pool and toddler pool, as well as an updated filtration system, new shade structure and refurbished facilities,” Cr Hill said.
“Tobruk Baths have served the community for more than 60 years and this project will ensure that it can continue to do so for many years to come.”
The Tobruk Memorial Baths were opened to the public in the 1950’s and named in commemoration of the Australian servicemen that took part in the Siege of Tobruk.
Infrastructure Committee Chair Cr Mark Molachino said the project was part of Council’s massive $409 million infrastructure program this year.
“Council is committed to providing the Townsville community with world-class infrastructure and the redevelopment of the Tobruk Baths is yet another demonstration of that,” Mr Molachino said.
“Local contractor Jackson + Semler is doing a fantastic job, with an added benefit of the project being that it is supporting jobs for locals.”
The redevelopment is expected to support more than 120 jobs. Seventy-eight contractors have already been inducted on to the site.
Local Councillor Ann-Maree Greaney said the project remained on-track to be completed by February.
“It’s exciting to see the progress that is being made and, like plenty of other Townsville residents, I can’t wait for the project to be completed and for swimmers to be back using the facility.”
Townsville residents are being invited to come along and learn how to keep on top of their mental health and wellbeing at a new expo being held this weekend.
Townsville City Council’s new Mentally Healthy City Wellness Expo is being held at the Palmetum Botanical Gardens on Saturday and will feature Saroo Brierly – the inspiration behind the movie Lion – as a guest speaker.
Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said the expo is a fantastic opportunity to focus on the mental health of the community, particularly after the unprecedented monsoon.
“This new expo is a great way to bring our community together and start an open and honest dialogue about mental health,” Cr Hill said.
“We’re reaching nine months since the city was devastated by the monsoon and it’s important that we focus on the social and mental impacts that it has had on our residents.
“Townsville has signed on as Australia’s first Mentally Healthy City and we want our residents to have every chance to achieve their best mental health and have access to services when needed.”
Project Manager of Mentally Healthy City Townsville Brendon Marty said Townsville City Council has been one of the biggest supporters of the Mentally Healthy City Townsville Project from the start.
“When I approached the events team with the concept of bringing all the professional services and local wellbeing businesses together, they absolutely ran with it and made it their own,” Mr Marty said.
“This project is a fantastic opportunity to improve the overall mental health and wellbeing of our community and I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate it. I look forward to seeing this grow in the coming years.”
Community and Cultural Development Committee Chair Cr Colleen Doyle said it’s important for the community to have easy access to services following a major disaster.
“We know that the Townsville community is incredibly resilient but it’s important that we put a spotlight on the services available for anyone that may be struggling with their mental wellbeing,” Cr Doyle said.
“This expo brings a number of services together that can educate and support the community in an idyllic and family friendly environment at Palmetum.
“There will be lots of entertainment in addition to the stallholders and there will also be a free shuttle bus operating from the major shopping centres and Riverway.”
For more information, visit: https://whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au/events/mentally-healthy-city-wellness-expo
