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Go in the running to win $100 voucher with Townsville CityLibraries

Have your say on Townsville CityLibraries with the We Love Our Libraries survey this month. The online survey takes a look at how locals use their libraries so Townsville City Council can better understand what residents’ library needs are. Community and Cultural Development Committee Chairperson, Councillor Colleen Doyle, said this was an easy way to make sure the city’s libraries were providing the best services for our community.

“We want to hear from you and find out what you love about your local library and what could be done even better,” Cr Doyle said. “Council is always looking for ways to improve the services that we offer, and this three-minute survey is a quick and easy way to know what you’d like to see at your library.” Cr Doyle said completing the We Love Our Libraries survey could be done two ways.

“It’s very easy to do the We Love Our Libraries survey. Simply fill out the survey online or in person at your favourite CityLibraries branch to have your say,” she said. “Once you’ve done that, you’ll be in the draw for a chance to win one of five $100 gift vouchers.”

To fill out the We Love Our Libraries survey, visit www.townsville.qld.gov.au. The survey is open until 29 February.

 

Townsville to host historic international rugby double-heade

Townsville MP Scott Stewart has today revealed the Palaszczuk Government has secured two international rugby tests for North Queensland for the first time since the 2003 Rugby World Cup. Mr Stewart said – thanks to a series of negotiations led by the government – the Wallabies and Wallaroos will play a double-header at the city’s new stadium in July this year. The local member announced Queensland Country Bank Stadium would host the Qantas Wallabies v Fiji and the Buildcorp Wallaroos v Canada on 18 July 2020 – a blockbuster double-header and a first for the city.

“It’s the State Government that’s built a brand new stadium in Townsville and it’s the State Government that’s leading negotiations to make sure it’s filled,” he said. “We’ve negotiated for months to lock away this deal because we know how important major events are for North Queensland. “World class footy content brings thousands of tourists – supporting local businesses and local jobs. That’s what this is all about. “We’re expecting a strong turnout. It will be a great opportunity for rugby fans from southern states to escape the winter blues and head north to experience an epic double-header in beautiful North Queensland.”

Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said the game was expected to generate 13,000 visitor nights, and $3 million for local businesses. “Scott lobbied hard for a new Townsville Stadium for years. And he’s been harassing me for months about securing new footy content in 2020 and 2021. It’s early days but the calendar is looking great,” she said. “The flow-on benefits of this double-header will be great for local businesses.

“With the Reef, rainforest and a growing list of tourism attractions, there’s something for everyone in Townsville. We’re encouraging  fans to stay in North Queensland and have a holiday after they watch the footy to support the local tourism sector.” Minister for Housing and Public Works and Minister for Sport Mick de Brenni said North Queensland was continuing to produce some Australian rugby greats.

“We committed and have now have delivered a world class stadium in the heart of North Queensland meaning local rugby fans will have never been closer to the action. “And it’s not just the Queensland Country Bank Stadium pitch that will be seeing some action, the Palaszczuk Government is working with Rugby Australia on a series of community events in the lead-up,” he said. “There’s going to be a buzz around this event that we want to harness and convert to inspiring participation in grassroots rugby clubs like the Ross River Redskins and Brothers Rugby Union Club.”

Townsville City Council Mayor Jenny Hill said the historic rugby double-header demonstrated the city’s growing reputation as the events capital of Northern Australia.  “This double-header is a fantastic opportunity to showcase Townsville to the rest of Australia and the world,” Cr Hill said.  “It’s also great news for locals who will be able to witness world-class rugby in their very own stadium.  “Townsville City Council is proud to partner with Tourism and Events Queensland and Rugby Australia to deliver this event, which we hope will be the first of many high-profile events at our magnificent stadium.” Rugby Australia Chief Executive, Raelene Castle said the teams were looking forward to their first matches in North Queensland.

“The Qantas Wallabies and Buildcorp Wallaroos are coming to Townsville for the first time this July and we are ready to turn the city Gold ahead of this historic double-header,” Castle said. “We were hugely impressed by Queensland Country Bank Stadium and the offering it will provide for fans, both from the North Queensland region and for those travelling from interstate and abroad.  “It’s a world-class facility that the sports-loving people of North Queensland have been craving for many years and we look forward to being one of the first sports to experience the venue.

“Fiji have proven themselves to be well and truly on the rise, and I know Dave Rennie and the rest of the Wallabies coaches are preparing for another very tough contest. “We’re also delighted that the Buildcorp Wallaroos will share the stage in Townsville and continue their growth ahead of their Rugby World Cup next year. “Head Coach Dwayne Nestor has done a great job of developing the team on the field but also connecting with the community off-the-field, and we’ll be looking to continue that when we visit the region.” Tickets for the international rugby double-header go on sale Wednesday 22 April.

Vouchers up for grabs to enhance social connection this Neighbour Day

Townsville City Council is giving you the chance to win one of 45 vouchers to help you celebrate Neighbour Day this March. Neighbour Day 2020 has a social connection theme, which Council wants to see locals embrace by going into the running to win a $200 voucher to help throw a Neighbour Day event. Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said it was important to build and strengthen existing connections including the relationships forged during the 2019 monsoon.

“The community that you want starts at your front door,” Cr Hill said. “Our community here in Townsville collectively went through a traumatic event when the 2019 monsoon event happened. “It’s important that  we all open our doors to our neighbours and our friends and to not forget about the impact that the monsoon may have had on us or our loved ones. “If we all do this, we can help continue to build strong communities in our suburbs.”

Townsville Local Recovery and Resilience Group Chairperson, Deputy Mayor Les Walker, said social connection was essential to having a happy community. “Whether you live on a farm or in an apartment block, we all feel lonely sometimes. By reaching out to our neighbours we can all do our part to help alleviate isolation and reduce the amount of loneliness and isolation in our neck of the woods,” Cr Walker said. “Knowing your neighbours is also a great way to improve community safety, so make sure to introduce yourself to your neighbours and keep an eye out for them.”

To enter the Neighbour Day competition for your chance to win a $200 voucher to enhance your Neighbour Day event, head to townsville.qld.gov.au.

 

Extra funding to help flood-affected families with back to school expenses

The Palaszczuk Government is pitching in to help Townsville families affected by the 2019 floods get on top of New Year expenses such as back-to-school costs. Minister for Communities Coralee O’Rourke said the Palaszczuk Government was providing a one-off funding contribution of $7000 to the North Townsville Community Hub to distribute to flood-affected families. “We have identified a need for assistance to support families, who were impacted by the Monsoon Trough flooding event in early 2019, with back-to-school expenses and other start-of-year costs,” Mrs O’Rourke said. “A year may have passed since the flooding devastated the Townsville community, but for many families the financial impacts are still being felt.

“This funding will help families kick start their 2020 and help get their children back into school while they continue their ongoing recovery from the floods. “We know that back-to-school costs can be tough on families and that’s why we’re giving these flood-affected families a helping hand.” The North Townsville Community Hub is a Palaszczuk Government funded neighbourhood centre serving areas of Townsville including Bohle Plains, Deeragun, Mount Louisa and Northern Beaches. The service receives more than $120,000 funding each year to deliver community support services through the neighbourhood centre, as well as more than $5700 in Emergency Relief funding and $1500 to deliver the Connect NDIS Volunteer Program.

Mrs O’Rourke said the Palaszczuk Government was committed to the long-term recovery of flood-affected communities in Townsville. “We’re here for the long haul to support flood-affected Townsville residents to recover and rebuild in the wake of the 2019 Monsoon Trough event,” she said. “To date more than $30.7 million in personal hardship assistance has been paid out, benefitting almost 103,000 flood-affected residents in Townsville. “This funding was delivered under the jointly-funded Commonwealth/State-Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).”

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.

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