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Volunteers to Support Flooded Residents

Team Townsville volunteers will check on the wellbeing of flood-affected residents this weekend.

Townsville City Council will reunite with YWAM, Combined Churches, Lions and other community groups to visit houses in key areas.

Community and Cultural Development Committee Chair Cr Colleen Doyle said volunteers will say hi to residents, listen to their concerns and link them with any community services they may need.

“Volunteers swept through suburbs in our initial response to the monsoonal weather,” Cr Doyle said.

“We’re adopting a more strategic approach now to make sure we connect with the people who need help the most.

“We want to help residents who aren’t reaching out to support services so we’re keen to make sure they feel comfortable talking to us.”

Townsville Local Recovery and Resilience Group Chair Deputy Mayor Les Walker is urging residents to make the most of the opportunity.

“The volunteers are targeting specific suburbs and they will see some familiar faces, but a lot has changed in the past few weeks,” Cr Walker said.

“Recovery is an ongoing process and the people we met last month will have different needs now as the initial shock of the flood is gone.

“The people that stepped up to help their neighbours initially might need our support now.

“We really want to help people who are socially isolated or vulnerable so we’ll look to connect with older residents and families that have English as a second language.”

YWAM Corporate and Government Affairs Manager, Jennifer Rentsch, said it’s a privilege to help affected residents.

“Over 200 YWAM volunteers were involved in the first phase, and now we’re putting the call out to other people in the city who would like to help,” Mrs Rentsch said.

“Residents who weren’t affected by the monsoon may be wondering if they can help at this time. This is a very meaningful way to support neighbours.” 

Over the coming weeks, volunteers plan to visit houses in some of the worst-hit areas including Hermit Park, Rosslea, Oonoonba and Idalia.

They also plan to visit Alligator Creek and Cungulla.

Any residents who need support can contact the services below:

NQ Connect(Free 24/7 counselling for all North Queenslanders)1300 059 625
Lifeline131 114
Kids Helpline (5 – 25 years old) 1800 551 800 
National Indigenous Critical Response Service1800 805 801
Free Translating and Interpreting Service(For hard of hearing or speech impairment)131 450
National Relay Service133 677

New Promenade to Connect Townsville Sports, Culture and Entertainment

Townsville’s waterfront is set to undergo a major facelift off the back of funding through Round 4 of the Palaszczuk Government’s successful $295 million Building our Regions (BoR) program.

The $10.2 million Townsville Waterfront Promenade is receiving $5 million from BoR, with Townsville City Council contributing $5.2 million and will support 34 construction jobs.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the project will result in new commercial, residential, hospitality and retail investment in Townsville’s CBD.

“This is a transformative project for Townsville that will energise the city centre, boost jobs, and propel the local economy forward,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“The new Townsville Waterfront Promenade will link the CBD to North Queensland Stadium, which is due for completion in time for the 2020 NRL season.

“Creating pathways that tie together the exciting new cultural and entertainment precincts with the stadium will ensure these investments in the city are maximised.

“Our government is committed to the north and will continue working hard to deliver more employment and business opportunities for the region.”

The four-metre-wide promenade will link Ross Creek to North Yards, Central, North Queensland Stadium, the CBD, Palmer Street dining precinct, Civic Theatre and Reid Park precinct, Central Precinct and the Bus Hub.

It will consist of 745 metres of pathways and 69 metres of mangrove boardwalks, while Little Fletcher Bridge will be converted to a pedestrian bridge, with significant landscaping throughout.

Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said the project will see the area evolve into a year-round destination.

“These works will create jobs and boost revenue for retailers in Townsville’s CBD through greater visitor spending,” Mr Dick said.

“By investing in Queensland communities through our Building our Regions program, we’re strengthening our entire state with the infrastructure needed for the future.”

Member for Townsville Scott Stewart said on game days over 2500 pedestrians will access the stadium via the bridge after using park-and-ride facilities at Central and at Flinders Street.

“Locals and visitors will soon be able to immerse themselves in the Ross Creek environment and move seamlessly between key activity precincts,” Mr Stewart said.

Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said the waterfront promenade would provide a crucial new pedestrian and cycling link over the Ross Creek connecting the Stadium Precinct to the CBD.

“This project will not only create jobs for locals now but play a crucial role in encouraging the ongoing development of the Stadium Precinct and other areas in the Waterfront PDA,” Ms Hill said.

“I’d like to thank the Queensland Government for co-investing in our city’s important urban renewal projects.

“The waterfront promenade will be a catalyst for other future developments such as the North and South Rail Yards and the remaining council-owned land in the Stadium Precinct and will provide a direct connection between the CBD via the Stadium Precinct to Central Park and Palmer St.”

Communities Minister and Member for Mundingburra Coralee O’Rourke said the project was yet another shot in the arm for Townsville.

“This government backs Townsville – it’s as simple as that,” the Minister said.

Locals Invited to get Involved with the Northern Fringe

The North Australian Festival of Arts (NAFA) is fast approaching in July and with it comes Townsville’s first ever Fringe Festival, the Northern Fringe.

Featuring live acts, music, comedy, cabaret and more, the Northern Fringe will be an inclusive and organic festival hosted in theatres, café’s, pop-up venues, laneways and street corners right across the city.

Art and performance of any kind are invited to be a part of the inaugural festival that will showcase Townsville as the arts and culture capital of North Australia.

Townsville City Council is holding an information night next Wednesday and is looking for artists, entertainers, venues and promoters to attend and find out how they can get involved in the Northern Fringe Festival.

Community and Cultural Development Committee Chair Cr Colleen Doyle said the Northern Fringe Festival is a perfect opportunity for the community to get involved in NAFA.

“The Northern Fringe Festival will run alongside our month-long arts festival and is a great way for locals to showcase their venues, art forms and talent,” Cr Doyle said.

“The information night next week at the Old Magistrates Court theatre, will start getting people thinking about what they can do and how to be involved.

“We are really hoping to see a large amount of people at the information night – we want NAFA and the Fringe Festival to be driven by our local arts community.”

The information night is being held on Wednesday 13 March and will feature guest speakers who have been involved in other Fringe Festivals.

What: Northern Fringe Festival Information Night

When: 6 – 8pm, Wednesday 13 March

Where: Old Magistrates Court, cnr Stokes and Sturt St, Townsville City

RSVP – fringe@townsville.qld.gov.au by 5pm 11 March

Calling All Kids: This Friday is National Ride2School Day!

Bicycle Queensland is calling on Queensland parents to gear up and get their kids riding, with National Ride2School Day this Friday 22 March.

The state’s peak organisation for two-wheeled exhilaration says cycling to school can be made safe, if more parents leave the car at home and help their kids to ride.

As few as eight per cent of kids ride to school in Queensland, a figure Bicycle Queensland would like to double.

Bicycle Queensland CEO Anne Savage called on parents to get kids cycling, and relive their own youth.

“Riding a bike is a great way for the whole family to get fit, stay active, and feel connected with the community,” Ms Savage said.

“We’ve all heard the statistics – we’re not as healthy as we could be – and it’s costing us our happiness.

“More kids on bikes is one of the best ways to guarantee lifelong health and fitness for our next generation.

“The time is now to inspire their growth and development.”

Ms Savage said Bicycle Queensland was on a mission to reinvigorate bike riding across Queensland.

“Cycling is one of the easy keys to creating fitter, happier, and better-connected communities.

“There has never been a better time to get back on our bikes, ditch the car, reduce congestion, and bank family savings for a beach holiday.”

The 2017 National Cycling Participation Survey indicated a resounding majority of Queenslanders want to see stronger investment in bikeways (67%), and better connections between bike paths and schools, shops, pools, and parks.

59 per cent of Queenslanders also called for more on-road bike lanes.

Bicycle Queensland is also urging schools and students statewide to submit entries for Bicycle Queensland’s Cameron Frewer Road Safety Education Bursary and go in the running to win one of six $250 bursaries.

More information can be found online at > https://bq.org.au/programs/the-cameron-frewer-road-safety-education-bursary/

Bicycle Queensland’s tips for riding to school

•             Practice rides on weekends to build confidence.

•             If you’re uncomfortable riding on the road, you can ride on the footpath in Queensland.

•             Choose the safest route, even if it’s a bit longer.

•             Team up with neighbours or school mates and exercise as a group.

•             If you don’t have a bike – ride a scooter or walk.

•             Remember to lock your bike somewhere safe.

•             Always wear a helmet.

Queenslanders interested in finding out more about cycling can visit www.bq.org.au or call Bicycle Queensland on 3844 1144.