Lifestyle

Neighbours bringing Christmas together with $200 grant

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

Stinger net installation starts this week

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

Focus is on mental wellbeing this weekend

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

Tobruk Memorial Baths redevelopment progressing swimmingly

Refurbishments to the Tobruk Memorial Baths are progressing swimmingly with crews making good progress on the upgrades.

 

Works completed include the excavation of the old pool, the first concrete pour for the balance tank and a fresh coat of paint going on the building.

 

Infrastructure Committee Chair Cr Mark Molachino said the $11.3 million refurbishment is already breathing new life into the Memorial Baths.

 

“The Tobruk Memorial Baths are a massively loved public asset and these refurbishments will revitalise the area and emphasis the heritage of the pools,” Cr Molachino said.

 

“Jackson + Semler are an extremely reputable company and have worked on some big projects across the city and so far, it is looking fantastic here.

 

“These upgrades are expected to support over 120 jobs and is a major infrastructure project that is part of our $409.1 million infrastructure spend for building our city’s future.”

 

The redevelopment includes the installation of a new 50m pool, a new toddler pool, improved disability access, shade awnings and new landscaping.

 

Local Councillor Ann-Maree Greaney said she’s thrilled by the progress being made on the redevelopment of the Tobruk Memorial Baths.

 

“We’re so lucky to have such an incredible pool right along The Strand and the history there can’t be understated so it’s nice to see how well the work is coming together,” Cr Greaney said.

 

“This is a massive job and so far, everything is pulling together really nicely – it’s looking good for a reopening in February.

 

“This project did get pushed back after the unprecedented monsoon so I would like to thank the community for being so patient while we get this completed.”

 

Townsville signs on as first North Queensland Welcoming City

Townsville is now the 40th Welcoming City in the country.

 

Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill has signed on to the Welcoming Cities program, which helps councils and communities become more inclusive of all newcomers to the city.

 

Townsville’s strong liveability attributes make the city an attractive destination for migrants, 25,574 people who were living in the Townsville City Council in 2016 were born overseas, and 20% had arrived in Australia within the 5 years prior to 2016.

 

Cr Hill said Council was proud to sign on to the program, as it helped establish the city as having a positive reputation.

 

“Townsville is more multicultural now than ever before, and this is something we should celebrate,” Cr Hill said.

 

“The diversity of the local community is one of the things that makes Townsville such a vibrant place to live and work.

 

“We want to do everything we can to welcome and support migrants who choose to make Townsville their new home.”

 

Cr Hill said making the commitment allowed Council to become better informed about how to support migrants into the Townsville community.

 

“Becoming a Welcoming City gives Council new tools to help integrate migrants into the community,” she said.

 

“Council is constantly looking at how it can improve the experiences of newcomers to the city, which as we know can have positive effects on our economy and society.

 

“Being a Welcoming City will help Council see how it’s tracking with cultural diversity and inclusivity.”

 

Townsville joins Brisbane, Livingstone, Balonne, Central Highlands and Toowoomba in becoming a Queensland-based Welcoming City.