Food

Large events in Townsville to be postponed or cancelled in response to COVID-19

Townsville City Council is advancing preparations to slow the spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) by postponing and cancelling local events. The decision comes on the back of the advice from the Federal Government for non-essential mass gatherings of over 500 people to be cancelled. Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said the safety of the community and Council employees was the number one consideration when making the decision around events.

“We will be postponing Council events wherever possible and for those that we can, we will be bringing them back bigger and better at a later date,” Cr Hill said. “We are also in conversation with other community groups and event organisers about any bookings in Council venues and the direction they wish to take. “While it is disappointing to have community events cancelled, the most important thing right now is to support Queensland Health in slowing the spread of this virus.  “We’ve pulled through challenging times before and we will do it again, we are a resilient community.”

Council will continue to review upcoming events and take the advice of the State and Federal Governments as the lead agencies in this response. “We will keep in close contact with event hosts and make sure that residents receive the most up-to-date information.” Impacted events include performances being held in Council venues such as the Civic Theatre, public markets, sports festivals, expos and community events such as Townsville Eats. Cr Hill said while it wasn’t ideal, the direction of the Federal Government to cancel events and gatherings of more than 500 people was an important move to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the community.

“Council’s priority during this time is providing essential services to our residents and supporting our health services to slow this down. We want our health providers to be well positioned to deal with COVID-19 and other health emergencies in our community over the coming months.” “The most important thing we can do as a community is follow the advice of Queensland Health to protect our most vulnerable.” A list of impacted Council events can be found below, and a more comprehensive list will be made available on Council’s website.

 

March

  • Riverway Movie Night
  • Recycling Open Day
  • Townsville Eats
  • Kinky Boots

April

  • 1RAR Morning Melodies
  • Riverway Movie Night
  • Townsville Eats
  • Townsville Youth Week Event
  • Footloose
  • Moscow Ballet – Sleeping Beauty
  • Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow

 

May

 

  • Battle of Coral Sea
  • Riverway Movie Night
  • Welcoming Babies
  • Townsville Eats

 

This will be updated as more advice is provided by the Federal and State Governments.

 

 

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 .