Food

Townsville Eats gets shake up for start of 2020 season

Put on your best floral shirt and join Townsville City Council for the first Townsville Eats event of the year. The much-loved event is extending over the Victoria Bridge for its first iteration on Friday 27 March, with carnival performers bringing a range of fun acts to the iconic bridge. Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said it was great to have Townsville Eats back in the city centre for a second year.

“Townsville Eats was extremely popular in 2019, which is why Council has decided to bring it back this March,” Cr Hill said. “The event draws thousands of people into the city and is a great way to celebrate our local food vendors, entertainers and our diverse range of community acts.” Local councillor Ann-Maree Greaney said there would be a few tweaks to the program in March.

“There will still be food vendors and market stalls, live music, entertainment and our outdoor cinema, but our performances will now be held on River Stage at Ogden St,” Cr Greaney said. “Council has also worked to create two event layouts that can cater to both wet and dry weather situations, which is great news.” Cr Greaney said it was great to be able to boost visitor numbers to the city centre with the event. “The turn out to our Townsville Eats season last year was phenomenal. There were thousands of attendees for each event, which is a huge increase in foot traffic along Flinders St,” she said. “Council is committed to activating the Townsville CBD and hosting Townsville Eats is one way to bring more visitors into the city to not only enjoy the Townsville Eats offerings, but to also explore the shops and restaurants open in the area.”

Townsville Eats presents Tropical Friday on Friday, 27 March from 5pm to 9.30pm on Flinders St. For more information, visit whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au.

New board to boost events in Townsville

Townsville City Council is spearheading the creation of a Townsville Events Board as part of the Townsville Event Strategy 2020. The Townsville Events Board will combine Council with leading industry experts to bring the Strategy to life and build Townsville’s reputation as an events hub. Townsville Acting Mayor Les Walker said the Townsville Event Strategy 2020 helped Townsville contend against other cities and regions wanting to attract prestigious events.

“We want to brand Townsville as an events destination. We want to be the regional events capital of northern Australia,” Cr Walker said. “By creating a Townsville Events Board, we will be able to work closely with stakeholders across the city in order to attract, deliver and keep world-class events in our city. “When we come together with events stakeholders from across Townsville, we will be able to create a one-stop shop for event enquiries from interstate and from overseas. We want to make it as easy as possible for promoters to secure their events in Townsville.”

Cr Walker said there was growing demand for new and innovative events to be held across Townsville.  “In just the last 12 months we’ve seen some game changing events here in Townsville, including HALO, NAFA and the Northern Fringe Festival,” he said. “Townsville has recently had a successful bid to host the ITU World Multisport Championships in 2021 and there is already talk of more international and national cricket matches being held here.

“The need for a central point of contact for event organisers is clear if Townsville wants to continue to reap economic, social and community development opportunities.” Governance and Finance Committee Chairperson, Councillor Verena Coombe, said it was essential that Townsville continued to grow its signature events in order to continue to stimulate the local economy. “The events that we already hold in Townsville, including Groovin the Moo and the Supercars Championship, have a major economic impact on the city. They create jobs and drive intra- and interstate tourism,” she said. “For every dollar spent at a locally owned bar, restaurant or retail outlet there is a multiplier effect. This strategy brings a focus to growing economic activity in the hospitality and events services industries. “The Townsville Events Board recognises a maturing of our events industry and announces that our city is here to seriously play in the events space.” The structure of the Townsville Event Strategy 2020 was adopted by Council last month.

Media information: 0409 264 974

 

New board to boost events in Townsville

Townsville City Council is spearheading the creation of a Townsville Events Board as part of the Townsville Event Strategy 2020. The Townsville Events Board will combine Council with leading industry experts to bring the Strategy to life and build Townsville’s reputation as an events hub. Townsville Acting Mayor Les Walker said the Townsville Event Strategy 2020 helped Townsville contend against other cities and regions wanting to attract prestigious events.

“We want to brand Townsville as an events destination. We want to be the regional events capital of northern Australia,” Cr Walker said. “By creating a Townsville Events Board, we will be able to work closely with stakeholders across the city in order to attract, deliver and keep world-class events in our city. “When we come together with events stakeholders from across Townsville, we will be able to create a one-stop shop for event enquiries from interstate and from overseas. We want to make it as easy as possible for promoters to secure their events in Townsville.”

Cr Walker said there was growing demand for new and innovative events to be held across Townsville. “In just the last 12 months we’ve seen some game changing events here in Townsville, including HALO, NAFA and the Northern Fringe Festival,” he said. “Townsville has recently had a successful bid to host the ITU World Multisport Championships in 2021 and there is already talk of more international and national cricket matches being held here. “The need for a central point of contact for event organisers is clear if Townsville wants to continue to reap economic, social and community development opportunities.”

Governance and Finance Committee Chairperson, Councillor Verena Coombe, said it was essential that Townsville continued to grow its signature events in order to continue to stimulate the local economy. “The events that we already hold in Townsville, including Groovin the Moo and the Supercars Championship, have a major economic impact on the city. They create jobs and drive intra- and interstate tourism,” she said. “For every dollar spent at a locally owned bar, restaurant or retail outlet there is a multiplier effect. This strategy brings a focus to growing economic activity in the hospitality and events services industries. “The Townsville Events Board recognises a maturing of our events industry and announces that our city is here to seriously play in the events space.” The structure of the Townsville Event Strategy 2020 was adopted by Council last month.

 

 

 

Yule be sorry if you miss Townsville’s 25 Days of Discounts

Enjoying the Townsville CBD this Christmas time has just gotten a whole lot cheaper with the roll out of 25 Days of Discounts.

The Townsville City Council initiative involves a range of unique CBD traders who have a variety of discounts available at their stores in the lead up to Christmas Day.

Local Councillor Ann-Maree Greaney said 25 Days of Discounts was extremely popular when it was launched last year.

“Council has worked with local businesses and franchises set up in the city centre and over on Magnetic Island to create a coupon flyer with more than 20 discounts and deals,” Cr Greaney said.

“This is a fun way to help locals celebrate Christmas together and make sure our CBD’s economy is stimulated throughout the festive season.”

Cr Greaney said businesses were expecting a high amount of uptake.

“We have some really great discounts on offer with the 25 Days of Discounts promotion, and we’re hoping locals and visitors take advantage of this and grab themselves some bargains,” she said.

“We all know wallets are stretched at this time of year, so it’s a great idea to save yourself a bit of money when you’re buying Christmas presents or going out for a bite to eat.”

Cr Greaney said the savings didn’t stop there, with Council also rolling out its free two-hour parking offer.

“Free parking will be available for more than 500 two-hour parking spots across the city for the whole month of December,” she said.

“It’s a great time to get your Christmas shopping done, enjoy some local food and entertainment with your family, and save some money while you’re at it.”

25 Days of Discounts runs from 1 to 24 December at participating traders.

To download the coupon flyer, head to https://www.townsville.qld.gov.au/about-townsville/christmas-together-2019/25-days-of-discounts .

Free Community Barbecues being Held Across Townsville


Free community barbecues are being held across the city to help lift morale and bring the city together!

The Barbie in the Burbs are family friendly events that will feature live entertainment, children’s activities, food trucks and a free barbecue. 

Townsville Local Recovery and Resilience Group Chair Cr Les Walker said the barbecues are a great way to recuperate and relax after what has been a big month. 

“The Barbie in the Burbs is a way for the community to get together and enjoy a relaxed afternoon after dealing with the flood,” Cr Walker said.

“We’re holding multiple events over two different weekends to make this accessible for all residents.”

Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said the barbecue would also include pop-up stalls where residents can access information to help with their recovery.

“There will be a number of Townsville City Council and State Government departments holding pop-up stalls at the barbecues, so residents can find out how to access services and help,” Cr Hill said.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to take stock of the past few weeks, eat some food, relax, and talk to different organisations in the one place.

“This is also a way to thank everyone involved in the rescue and clean-up effort – the Townsville has really come together during a very trying time and I couldn’t be prouder of our community.”

Division One Councillor Margie Ryder said it is fantastic to have the first event out at Bluewater.

“The Bluewater community was one of the first areas impacted by the weather and it has been a tough time for many of them,” Cr Ryder said. 

“This is a good way to show they haven’t been forgotten, and bring the services to them in a casual environment.”

All events will run from 3-6pm on the following dates:

2 March – Bluewater Community Centre 
3 March – Townsville City Netball Association – Murray Sporting Complex
9 March – Townsville Recreational Boat Park 
10 March – Corcoran Park

For more information visit: https://whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au/events/barbie-in-the-burbs-bluewater